WonderLab Museum of Science, Health and Technology is a museum for children to learn about science, health and technology

The WonderLab Museum of Science, Health and Technology was started by the inspiration of Debra Kent, a journalist and mother from Bloomington, gathered a small group of like minded people to create a hands-on science museum for children that will stimulate curiosity, encourage exploration and foster lifelong learning. WonderLab originally began as a travelling outreach program with non-profit status and was run by dedicated volunteers.

In January 1998 the museum opened a small museum on the north side of the Bloomington courthouse square. Fundraising began at this time also to build a larger permanent museum on the present site, which was donated by the city of

Bloomington the previous year.

The museum was opened to the public on March 29, 2003 and remains a grassroots organization, which is supported by many volunteers and individuals who have been part of the organization from the beginning.

Exhibits in the museum include experiences for all ages including age appropriate adventures for toddlers and preschool children. When visitors enter the gallery they encounter the Cosmic Dance, which is five translucent floor panels that light up when cosmic ray particles hit them. One of the highlights at the museum is the two-storey maze, Grapevine Climber, which has whimsical leaf like pads. Located on the first floor is the Bubble-atrium, which provides and unexpected way of using bubbles.

The museum hosts wondercamps during the summer for children to introduce them to the process of scientific inquiry in a relaxed atmosphere. The camp has extensive hands-on activities to help children develop critical thinking and creative strategies. The activities are structured with campers rotating in groups among activity stations, and science experts may visit the camps as a guest. The camps are led by experienced teachers with help from high school interns.

Wonderlab is able to visit classrooms and provide demonstrations with hands-on activities that address Indiana Science standards. The lab will provide all materials that are required and are not found in the classroom. These classes include Hanging in the Balance where students make a balance toy or Feel the Noise where students will make a musical instrument.

The gift store at the museum has a range of high-quality science toys, games, puzzles, kits, animals and food specialties available for purchase. Gift store certificates and WonderPasses are also available from the gift store along with gift memberships. When an item is purchased from the gift shop it helps to sustain the lab throughout the year as a resource for the community.

Some of the exhibits at the museum include the Water Works `Build A Channel' exhibit. In this exhibit visitors will construct dams and channels using Duplo Blocks to discover how water fills to the shape of a container and can slip through a tiny crack.

The Mechanical Crane requires teamwork and problem solving skills to stack blocks and then tip the tower over. This exhibit features three control stations, which use belts and pulleys to move the objects.

Art Exhibitions are on show at the museum and rotate throughout the year. Before visiting the museum, visitors are able to check the calendar of events on the museums website to know which exhibit is currently happening.