A Little H istory…

2. A Little History… • 1994: Debra Kent (Bloomington-based journalist and mom) starts group to create WonderLab. • 1995: WonderLabwas incorporated, obtained 501(c)(3) non-profit status and began operation as a traveling outreach program. • 1998: First museum building by the Bloomington Courthouse • 2003: Official current building opens.

3. Mission Statement • WonderLab is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide opportunities for people of all ages, especially children, to experience the wonder and excitement of science through hands-on exhibits and programs that stimulate curiosity, encourage exploration, and foster lifelong learning.

5. Some of the Volunteers Who Make the WonderLabPossible

6. Karen Stucky • Background: • -Born in 1937 in Berne, IN. • Former elementary science teacher. • Bloomington resident since 1962. • -Education Director for WonderLab from • 1997-2007. • Retired in 2007 but acts as an • education coordinator for WonderLab.

7. Diane David • Background: • Volunteer Coordinator • Originally from Louisville, moved to Bloomington in the 1970s • Her parents were heavily involved in volunteering. Later, she worked for the Red Cross and later on as an activity director at a nursing home • “I still pinch myself… over nine years later that I’m still employed here”

8. Staci Radford-Vincent Background: -Born in 1973 in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago. -Went to IU where she majored in Biology and minored in the History and Philosophy of Science. After she got her degree she worked a variety of jobs, one of those being as a naturalist in one of Indiana’s state parks -Program and Outreach manger since 2004 - “I am actually from the Chicago area from the Northwest suburbs. I was born in 1973 and came to Bloomington for college, and this is where I ended up.” {INSERT QUOTE ABOUT HERSELF/HER LIFE ECT FOR INTRODUCTION}

9. Alex Duryea • Background: • Volunteer: Floor Manager • Senior Work-study student from Bloomington University, pursing a Public Health Major • Plans to pursue a career in Child-Health related field • “The bubble room is my favorite. ... I usually show the kids how to blow on it so it goes up in the air. And they’re just amazed that it can happen, that we can form bubbles.

11. Common Themes • How they Started at the Wonderlab • Impact on the Community • How working with WonderLab has fulfilled their personal goals • Skills they bring to the organization

12. How each of them started at the Wonderlab • “I was the elementary science coordinator for the school system. And so when they very first talking about having a science museum here I was one of the people contacted to come to a planning meeting.” – KS • Son got involved for a project for Harmony School and for a bar mitzvah project in the late 1990s, had past volunteer experience, and became involved from there - DD • “So I was looking at the time, and the position that was open at that time was actually at the front desk as the visitor’s services and the gift shop. I had some experience there, but I was looking at it as a foot in the door. So I thought well it’s not what I want to do, but I liked the organization. So I applied for that and a couple weeks later they had called me and said “well this other position has opened and we think you’re a good fit so do you want to interview for that?” So it all worked out really well. The foot in the door happened very fast.”-SRV • “Well, the Honor’s College emailed me and they were wondering if I wanted an opportunity for an internship here…Working with kids definitely drew me to here. I’ve nannied forever, for eight years now. So working with kids definitely drew me in, and also the science component. I’m a public health major so also the health component drew me in too.” -AD

13. Skills they bring to the Organization • “…it’s just simply…a major enrichment part of the community. It provides something that can’t be provided any place else.” - KS • ““Lots of organizational skills. I’m anal about a lot of things, and so when it comes to dealing with almost a thousand volunteers a year, volunteering over 18,000 hours, we need to keep really accurate records. I’m a people person, so dealing with the volunteers is a good thing that I am able to bring to this organization.” - DD • “For one is that passion for science. We are a science museum, but there are actually only a handful of us that have a science background. Other people are in business and marketing things like that, so that’s one thing that I definitely bring. A lot of energy and creativity are others things that I hear a lot from my coworkers, and I think that just that willingness to always try new things and not be doing the same things over and over again.”-SRV • “I’ve volunteered at Boys and Girls Club… Working with children. Definitely my experience working with kids, and making sure there’s a safe atmosphere. Babysitting has definitely helped my works with kids. And also being personable with parents because a lot of parents approach you about different situations.” -AD

14. How working at the Wonderlab helps accomplish personal goals • “…it allowed me to do something totally different from what I was doing in the classroom. And it allowed me to provide a place that got kids excited about science.” - KS • “Well, you know, it’s good to help people, I love being involved in non-profits, it’s a whole different feel than working for an organization that’s for profit. I just guess, you know, helping stimulate children, the next generation, to the joys of science and exploration. This job is helping me do that. “ – DD • “Yeah the things I get to do here are the things I really enjoy. I love just teaching people about new things, and I am fascinated with so many different things about the world. So this is a great way for that geekiness to come out. You know, come up with all these great activities for kids, and we roll a lot of creativity and things into it.”-SRV • “I’m really big into children’s health. For my graduate studies I’d like to go to into children’s health or international children’s health.” -AD

15. Impact on the Community • “…it’s just simply…a major enrichment part of the community. It provides something that can’t be provided any place else.” - KS • “We have grown to be a jewel in the Bloomington community. We bring quite a few people in from hours away to the Bloomington area. I know the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce or other downtown organizations have pooled people to say “Why have you come downtown?” and Wonderlab is a big reason. And, when people come from all over Indiana and neighboring states, when they come, they’ve heard about Wonderlab, they come to Wonderlab, but they don’t just come to come here, they also go to the local restaurants, they go to the local stores, so it’s just one of the many things that brings people down here.” - DD • “I mean we really try to make this kind of a hub where people can come and share and learn, and always have something a little exciting going on. You know, really feeling like this is a place that they can come and there would be something that they’re interested in.”-SRV • “I think it serves it by giving kids a safe place to go as well as the volunteers. It gives them a safe place to go where they can get their mind off things, and not be stressed out. Because most of our volunteers are students at IU, so they can come and play and take their mind off their studies. Which I really like that component because campus is a big part of Bloomington. As well, the kids having something to do. Something to learn from when they come to Wonderlab. They know that they’ll take something away from it. Like a learning component. Yeah, it’s just a really great resource for the community I think.” -AD