For the love of learning

Lafayette’s Imagination Station charts new course for educational adventures

BY ANGELA K. ROBERTS

PHOTOS BY CHRISTINE PETKOV

On a cool Saturday evening in early May, a cast of young characters and their parents filled the two stories of Lafayette’s Imagination Station, dressed for a galaxy far, far away.

Clothed as Princess Leia, Rey, Luke Skywalker, Chewbacca and the like, the eager guests gathered around experiment stations on the first floor, completing circuits to make light sabers and using the force of magnets to move cars.

Upstairs, a quieter scene unfolded. More costumed kids and their parents, refueled by snacks and drinks, huddled together as Star Wars movies played onscreen, the hum of light sabers and symphony music underscoring the drama.

Here, in the cube-shaped building a few blocks north of Main Street, the Force was strong with kids eager to explore connections between the Star Wars universe and our own solar system.

Much like a Jedi academy awakening young Padawans, Lafayette’s Imagination Station has reemerged after the COVID-19 pandemic, sparking curiosity in a new generation of learners.

“Our mission is to bring science education and science activities to the community and make it affordable,” says Sujatha Ramani, acting executive director. Thanks to grants, gifts and a cadre of volunteers and staff, the facility seems to be excelling in its quest to educate kids in north central Indiana and beyond.

Sparking a lifelong love of learning

The Imagination Station’s roots date back to 1992 with the founding of the Association for Science, Space, Engineering and Technology (ASSET). Recognizing the need for a facility dedicated to nurturing scientific curiosity, ASSET established the Imagination Station, which found its permanent home in 1999 after a donation from the Indiana Gas Company.

Over the years, the exhibits and offerings have evolved, but its core mission – to spark a lifelong love of learning – remains unchanged.

When pandemic shutdowns hit Indiana in spring 2020, the museum went on hiatus. In 2021, officials organized several free events with funding from the City of Lafayette and the Indiana Arts Federation, including Pi/Math Day, Haunted Lab, Hands-on Transportation (a 22-year favorite) and a Holiday Science Lab. A few events followed in 2022 as well.

Then, with in-kind donations and grants, a crew worked to restore the building that had sat nearly empty for more than two years. After HVAC, plumbing, flooring, roofing and other upgrades and repairs, the museum reopened in August 2022.

“I’m really passionate about this place,” says Ramani. “It’s just a fun place and we’ve been blessed to have this in our lives.”

A long-time Greater Lafayette resident, she began visiting the Imagination Station when her children were young, sitting alongside her son during his toddler years as he watched demonstrations by Purdue faculty on Friday mornings.

Ramani’s enthusiasm for the science center led to her becoming a volunteer, then a board member, which ultimately led to her current role as acting executive director. In 2023, she was honored for her dedication to the facility by the YWCA Greater Lafayette as part of its annual Salute To Women celebration.

Exploration awaits

Inside the newly refurbished building, interactive exhibits cater to a wide range of ages and interests in the STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) disciplines.

A carpeted playroom provides a dedicated space for the youngest visitors to play on the floor, with caregivers keeping a watchful eye.

The station also features a small gift store where visitors can purchase souvenirs, kits and contraptions, with members enjoying a 10% discount on every purchase.

Growing attendance and community engagement

Last year, 5,261 children and 3,952 adults visited the facility. The museum sold 329 memberships, hosted 33 field trips and served as a venue for 65 birthday parties, according to its annual report.

“I see the Imagination Station as being a bigger part of our community – our community being Tippecanoe County and surrounding counties,” says Dee Bishop, office manager. She used to bring her son, Matthew, to the museum, back in the days when the building boasted an indoor-outdoor bee colony and an airplane cockpit.

While most visitors hail from a few hours away, some families arrive from farther-flung locales if they’re visiting Purdue or passing through the twin cities on the way to other events. During the weekend preceding the solar eclipse in April, for instance, the museum welcomed visitors from Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin.

Many out-of-state families took advantage of reciprocal memberships with facilities in their hometowns that allow them to visit places like the Imagination Station for free, Ramani says.

Camps, theme nights and more

One of the biggest changes from when Bishop’s and Ramani’s children were young is that the Imagination Station has more planned programming now. The center’s social media pages and monthly newsletter are full of colorful fliers advertising an array of activities.

Science Saturdays feature specialty labs with inviting names like Lego Lab, Mars Rover and Crazy Circuits. Beginner Scientist programs on Thursday mornings and Sunday afternoons teach youngsters about earth science, the human body, chemistry, physics and more. For more immersive experiences, the museum offers spring break and summer programs such as Astronaut Camp and Science Camp.

Throughout the year, themed programs connect scientific concepts to popular books, movies and TV shows. The Star Wars Night this spring gave children an opportunity to learn about physics, space travel and our solar system through the lens of the fictional galaxy they know and love.

During a recent Harry Potter night, kids crafted custom wands, created and tasted magical treats, made potions and watched clips from “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” Relating real-life concepts with the wizarding adventures of Hogwarts helped to increase kids’ curiosity and their understanding of science, says Monica Adams, programs coordinator.

Homeschooled in a town north of Greater Lafayette, Adams delights in sharing her joy of learning with the youngsters who walk in the door.

“I love helping kids understand the world around them. They come into contact with a bunch of science principles every day, and exploring concepts with them every day is fun,” she says.

Partnerships to support the mission

The Imagination Station’s planning and operations are fueled by the creative minds of museum staff, volunteers and a board of directors that includes the likes of Leah Jamieson, former Purdue College of Engineering dean.

The museum also benefits from partnerships with Purdue University and nearby scientific companies. Purdue faculty and students, as well as scientists from companies such as Evonik, create engaging demonstrations for the kids.

Other local businesses and organizations help by donating funds or materials to defray the costs of programming, marketing expenses and facility maintenance. Recent grants, gifts and in-kind donations have come from the Community Foundation of Greater Lafayette, Caterpillar, Lowe’s, Tippecanoe County Commissioners, the Lafayette Life Foundation, Visit Lafayette-West Lafayette, the Mcallister Foundation, SIA Foundation, Arconic Foundation and more.

“We are getting support from local government, including Mayor Roswarski, Tippecanoe County Commissioner Tom Murtaugh, Mayor Easter and Purdue University. City of Lafayette Economic Development Director Dennis Carson has been helping us figure out our expansion strategies and future plans,” Ramani says.

“We were fortunate to have the architect and engineering firm Cordogan Clark and the construction company Kettelhut Constructions conduct a detailed space site analysis. That gave us a good idea of how much we could expand and where we should be located, which helps in planning for our future growth.”

Benefits beyond the walls

Along with grants and gifts, memberships are a key part of the Imagination Station’s growth strategy. With a variety of levels for families and philanthropists, memberships are designed to provide a predictable stream of income, increase engagement with attendees and foster a sense of community around the science center.

A popular option is the Voyager Family Membership for two adults and children in their household. Members enjoy free general admission, discounts on birthday parties and gift shop purchases, and access to exclusive events.

Getting to bring your children again and again is a plus, Ramani says.

“One of the biggest things we tell people, the more often you come, the better for your children,” she says. “If you come more frequently and the child plays again and you reinforce with books or online, the kid retains that.”

Another bonus to this membership level is access to more than 350 science centers, zoos and museums worldwide. Through the ASTC (Association of Science and Technology Centers) Passport Program, Voyager members are eligible for free general admission at participating institutions that are more than 90 miles away from the member’s residence and their member institution.

While the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is excluded from the Imagination Station’s reciprocal agreement, participating Chicago facilities are not. That means that members could visit the Adler Planetarium, the Field Museum and the Museum of Science and Industry at no additional cost. “That’s an incredible value,” Ramani says.

Those memberships help extend the impact of the Imagination Station far beyond Greater Lafayette to learning adventures hundreds and thousands of miles away.

Planning your visit

The Imagination Station is open Wednesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hours may vary due to special events.

Admission is $7 for visitors two years and older; younger children are free. A one-day Family Day Pass for four is $25. Family memberships begin at $150.

The Imagination Station also is available for birthday parties. Full-service packages include free regular admission for up to 50 guests, paper products and use of a large multi-purpose room with a kitchen for two hours. Private demonstrations are available for an additional fee.

Field trips provide hands-on learning opportunities for kids in middle school, elementary school and preschool. Educators can tailor visits to their curriculum or simply allow students to explore freely. Optional interactive demonstrations such as 3-2-1 POP and Slime Lab add an extra layer of engagement.

Visit the Imagination Station’s website and social media pages for up-to-date programming information: imagination-station.org. ★

Imagination Station to unveil an interactive journey through the human body this fall

This fall, the Imagination Station will debut a traveling exhibit on the human body. Magnificent Me helps families understand muscles and bones, heart and lungs, the digestive system and the brain and nerves. The exhibit will begin Oct. 18 and run through Feb. 2.

Through interactive activities, visitors can explore the intricate systems that keep humans moving, breathing and thinking. From the network of muscles and bones to the heart and lungs, the exhibit uncovers the secrets of digestion, vision, how our brains process information and more.

Magnificent Me is made possible by the Museum of Discovery, Little Rock, Arkansas, and is sponsored by the Arconic Foundation and Arconic Lafayette Operations.

A grant from the Arconic Foundation is covering the cost of the exhibit at the Imagination Station.

Check the museum website for updated information.