STEAM-learning center plans to reopen after pandemic's halt

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Imagination Station, a Lafayette-based children's science center, finally has reopening on the horizon after the pandemic has kept it closed for over two years.

Imagination Station opened at its current facility, 600 N 4th St. in 1999 and has provided "STEAM-learning" opportunities ever since.

"Imagination Station is a science center using the ideas of STEAM: science, technology, engineering, arts & humanities and mathematics, to teach children through informal education," Matt Bishop, facilities manager, said. "So basically, using exhibits to teach them different ideas within that area and help them grow their imagination and help them actually see other paths and careers."

Imagination Station closed in March 2020 and has remained closed with the exception of a few recent events. Starting in February this year, Imagination Station began offering "Saturday fun labs" where kids could learn about new scientific topics.

"We also have special thematic Saturday events," Sujatha Ramani, acting executive director, said. "...(There'll be) Earth Day, then we had Math Day, robotics."

Ramani went on to explain other themed days that have taken place, such as a food lab, a winter lab, heat/light demonstrations and more.

On Saturday, there is an upcoming Earth Day lab presented from Purdue's department of Earth, atmospheric and planetary sciences from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Activities will focus on: climate vs weather, greenhouse gasses and a nature scavenger hunt.

Imagination Station is looking to start with a soft opening at three to four days a week before returning to the pre-pandemic six-day schedule.

"Sometime (in) June," Ramani said in regards to a reopening timeline. "The reason we're not able to open is because we need to hire staff, and we're working on that...(we will) get some more volunteers to help us open.

"...But we're targeting June. And we'll (know) by mid-May, I think."

One of Imagination Station's biggest events that staff have kept up for 20 years is Hands on Transportation (HOT), the museum's largest annual fundraiser.

"We're having that Sept. 17," Dee Bishop, office manager, said, " ...That's where we have a lot of different vehicles show up. City trucks, city bus, we have the police departments, the fire departments, specialty cars, specialty trucks. We have them show up and this is an opportunity for kids to ask questions, to actually feel (and) see the vehicle.

"...It's a learning experience for the kids. Basically to be hands-on."

The staff of Imagination Station are just as anxious to reopen as Lafayette citizens may be.

"We want to start field trips," Ramani said. "We're getting so many emails and inquiries every day asking are we open. And so we really want to open soon."

While Imagination Station is not reopened yet, guests can still sign up for memberships, which include free admission to other major museums, zoos and science centers.

Admission to centers participating in the ASTC Travel Passport Program comes with purchase of a Voyager Imagination Station membership. This includes the Chicago Field Museum, Adler Plenetarium, the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, the Cincinnati Museum Center and 350 more.

For a list of participating science centers and museums as of May 1, 2022, visit www.astc.org. Further information on Imagination Station's memberships are available on its website.

"We'd like to thank the City of Lafayette," Dee said. "We'd like to thank Tony Roswarski, our mayor, and Cindy Murray, the clerk. And then EPICS from Purdue. EPICS does a lot of redesign and design of our displays."

Ramani and the staff of Imagination Station would also like to thank David Reyes, the center's operations manager as well as center's board for their support.

"We would really like to thank those people because the city has stepped up and is really helping promote us....David has stuck with us all through the pandemic and is now graduating from Purdue. He has been responsible for most of the programs that we have offered at IS - coordination with all the groups and working at IS to ensure its success."

Margaret Christopherson is a reporter for the Journal & Courier. Email her at mchristopherson@jconline.com and follow her on Twitter @MargaretJC2.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Imagination Station plans to reopen after pandemic's halt