WonderLab’s excellence has been widely recognized by educational, cultural, business, environmental, and volunteer organizations.
Educational Excellence
2020 Governor’s Award for Environmental Education / Outreach
Received for the “Educating for Environmental Change” Summer Science Institute teacher workshops, which are organized by the Indiana University School of Education / STEM Education Initiatives and community partners such as WonderLab. The EEC is supported by the Environmental Resilience Institute and funded by IU’s Prepared for Environmental Change Grand Challenge initiative. Awarded by: Indiana Department of Environmental Management, 2020
2017 Advocate for Community Engagement
Kesha Kandoi, Advocate for Community Engagement (ACE) for WonderLab Volunteer Department, Special Recognition. Awarded by: Indiana University Groups STEM Initiative, 2017
2010-2011 Community Partnership Award
Awarded by: The Monroe County Community School Corporation
2007 Outstanding Community Supporter
Awarded by: Girls Scouts of Tulip Trace Council, Inc.
2007 Outstanding Partner in Education
Awarded by: Phi Delta Kappa, IU/Alpha Chapter
1998 Certificate of Recognition
Awarded by: South Central Association for the Education of Young Children
Cultural Excellence
2022 Be More: Extraordinary Volunteer Program of the Year
WonderLab, Jeanne Gunning and Diane David were recognized. Awarded by: City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, 2022
2022 Be More: Dedicated Lifetime of Service
WonderLab Volunteer, Nancy White, recognized for 20 years of volunteering at WonderLab, WonderGarden, and outreach events. Awarded by: City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, 2022
2021 Best of B-Town Award for Museums
Selected by Herald Times readers as winner of the award in the category of Museums, and as finalist in category of Learning Center. Awarded by: Herald Times, 2021
2020 Senior Spotlight Volunteer Award: Nancy White
1st “Senior Spotlight Volunteer Award,” recognizing Nancy White for 19 years of volunteer work at WonderLab. Awarded by: Area 10 Agency on Aging, 2020
2019 Be More: Compassionate
Award presented to WonderLab Volunteer, Ted Unwin. Awarded by: City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, 2019.
2019 Certificate of Excellence Award
Top performing 10% of all attractions worldwide. Awarded by: TripAdvisor, 2019
2018 Certificate of Excellence Award
Top performing 10% of all attractions worldwide. Awarded by: TripAdvisor, 2019
2017 Certificate of Excellence Award
Top performing 10% of all attractions worldwide. Awarded by: TripAdvisor, 2019
2016 Best of 25 Award
Awarded by: American Towns Media
2016 Certificate of Excellence Award
Top performing 10% of all attractions worldwide. Awarded by: TripAdvisor, 2019
2013 and 2014 Certificate of Excellence Award
Awarded by: TripAdvisor
2011 One of the 50 Reasons to Love Bloomington
Awarded by: Bloom Magazine (August/September 2011)
2011 Best Attraction
Awarded by: Bloomington/Monroe County Convention & Visitors Bureau
2009 'Hidden Treasure' Award
Awarded by: Indy’s Child
2008 Top 25 Science Center in the United States
Ranked #17 by: Parents Magazine (September issue)
2005 Quality of Life Award
Awarded by: Downtown Bloomington Commission
(for WonderGarden)
2004 Outstanding Contribution to Downtown Bloomington Revitalization
Awarded by: Downtown Bloomington Commission
2004 City's Best Museum
Awarded by: AOL Cityguide
2003 Community Enhancement Award
Awarded by: Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce
2003 Attraction of the Year
Awarded by: Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau
2003 Best Place to Find Unusual Gifts
Awarded by: Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau
(for museum gift store)
2003 Best Place to Take Kids
Voted as Herald-Times Readers Choice
1997 Best Special Event: WonderLab Museum for a Day
Awarded by: Commission for Bloomington Downtown
Business Practices Excellence
2021 Covid Stops Here Platinum Award
WonderLab received top (Platinum) award for its 100% employee vaccination rate. Awarded by: Indiana Chamber of Commerce and Wellness Council of Indiana, 2021
2016 State of Indiana Lieutenant Governor's Hoosier Hospitality award for Monroe County
Jennifer Jenkins, Visitor Services Manager, received the 2016 State of Indiana Lieutenant Governor’s Hoosier Hospitality award for Monroe County. Awarded by: State of Indiana Lieutenant Governor, 2016
2010 Internship/Sponsor Award
Awarded by: College Internship Program, Bloomington Center
2010 Be More Knowledgeable Award
Awarded by: City of Bloomington Volunteer Network
(for the Volunteer Team)
2010 Be More People's Choice Award
Awarded by: City of Bloomington Volunteer Network
(for the Volunteer Team)
2009 Certified Wildlife Habitat
Certified by: National Wildlife Federation
(WonderGarden in 2009)
2009 Bloomington INBloom Curb Appeal Contest
Awarded by: Bloomington Board of Realtors
(for WonderGarden)
2009 Best Place to Volunteer
Awarded by: Indiana Daily Student
2008 Indiana Achievement Award
Awarded by: Sycamore Foundation
(category: Innovation)
2007 FUSE Business Innovation Award: Social Entrepreneur of the Year
Awarded by: South Central Small Business Development Center and inVenture
2003 Public Service Award
Awarded by: Bloomington Council for Community Accessibility
2003 Best Website
Awarded by: Bloomington Convention and Visitor Center
2003 Schreck Community Award
Awarded by: Indiana University, Division of Student Affairs
2000 Organization of the Year
Awarded by: Commission for Bloomington Downtown