Featured Events

Friday, September 22

6 – 9 pm

Woolery Mill

Join us at this year’s Science Night Out: SCIENCE ROCKS Gala!

The evening will feature all things geology, including fossils, geodes, gems, and of course, Indiana limestone. It will be another wonderful evening of camaraderie and shared appreciation for the value of science education for all kids.

Science Night Out raises critical funds for hands-on science programs and exhibits, and also for free group admissions for Title I schools and social service organizations, including CASA, New Hope for Families, Boys & Girls Clubs, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and more. This same fund also subsidizes admission for families with low incomes who participate in the Access Pass program.

Featured Speaker: Dr. Elizabeth Kenderes – Dr. Elizabeth Kenderes is Lecturer in the department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and a 2023 Trustee Teaching Award recipient at Indiana University. Dr. Kenderes received her Ph.D. from the University of Missouri in 2018 studying the origins of ancient magma chambers in central easter California as a way to understand modern, active volcanos.

• Individual Tickets: $100
• Table of 8: $720

Questions? Email sciencenightout@wonderlab.org.

Saturday, October 14

11:30 am – 2:30 pm

Join us for the beginning of Bloomington’s eclipse double header! From October to April two eclipse events will be visible from Bloomington, Indiana. There will be a Partial Annular Eclipse on Saturday, October 14, 2023 and a Total Eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024.

Come to the Eclipse Kick Off Street Party, on Saturday, October 14, to start the party and celebrate all things eclipse and astronomy. Experiment with appropriate, approved, solar viewing devices. Make star finders. Explore a personal planetarium. Learn cool eclipse and astronomy facts. Check out all the upcoming eclipse activities. Purchase eclipse swag. And take a peek at the first visible eclipse!

Recommended Ages: All ages

Activities: Hands-on eclipse activities

Dates and Times: Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023 11:30am – 2:30pm

• NOTE: Partial Annular Eclipse. Starts at 11:39am, peak at 1:02pm, done at 2:28pm.

Location: On the sidewalk and street directly in front of WonderLab – 308 W. 4th Street, Bloomington, IN

Price: FREE The outside event, Solar Eclipse Kick-off Street Party, is free for all.

Admission prices to enter WonderLab: 

• Members: FREE
• Non-members: $14
• Access Pass Program: $2
• Infants under age 1 Free

Saturday, October 14, 2023 | 3 – 5 p.m.

Make your own Orrery Model during WonderLab’s Fall Maker Workshop. Why do we only see one side of the moon? Why does the moon have phases and why does it happen every 29.5 days? Does a solar eclipse happen around the whole world?

Find out about the vastness of space when you build a model (not to scale) that illustrates why eclipses occur and how we can predict them. Orrery models demonstrate how the moon orbits the earth and the earth orbits the sun. These models are used to demonstrate moon phases, and illustrate the science of how lunar and solar eclipses happen. 

Tap into your inner artist during this hands-on workshop that brings together sculpture, mixed media, and movement. 

All materials provided. 

On Saturday, October 14, 2023 Bloomington will experience a partial solar eclipse (45% percent) nearly six months before the 2024 Solar Eclipse. Join WonderLab as we kick off six months of astronomy and solar science fun! Part of WonderLab’s 2024 Total Solar Eclipse Series.

Ages: 9 – 16

Ticket Prices for the Individual Event
Ticket prices include museum admission
Non-member: $22
Members: $8
Access Pass: $6

Individual Event Tickets can be purchased
On-line through Thursday, October 12, 2023
https://64603.blackbaudhosting.com/64603/Fall-Maker-Workshop-Orrery-Models
At the museum
Ticket prices include museum admission.
Tickets available at any location while supplies last.