Carl A & Peggy J Bluedorn Science Imaginarium

New Imaginarium Science Gallery Opening on December 15th in the Main Grout Museum Building! 

The Grout Museum District’s new Imaginarium Science Gallery will open to the public on Tuesday, December 15, 2026 bringing hands-on science exploration and discovery back to the Cedar Valley in a new space inside the Grout Museum of History and Science.

The new gallery marks an exciting next chapter for the children’s science center, which inspired curiosity and learning for 32 years at its former Washington Street location. The move into the main Grout Museum building allows the District to continue offering engaging science experiences for children and families in a refreshed, more accessible space designed for future generations.

Visitors can look forward to a variety of interactive exhibits that encourage experimentation, problem-solving, creativity and play. From brand new exhibits that send objects through twisting pathways in A-Mazing Airways to exploring motion with Pendulum Waves and a physics Roller Coaster, the gallery will offer opportunities to discover scientific concepts through hands-on experiences. Other new exhibits, as well as old favorites that visitors may remember from the Imaginarium building, will invite visitors to explore light, color, patterns, air pressure, static electricity and more.

The Imaginarium Science Gallery brings together new exhibits and returning favorites, honoring the legacy of Carl and Peggy Bluedorn while creating new opportunities for children and families to learn through play.

“We are excited to welcome visitors into this new space and continue the Imaginarium’s tradition of inspiring curiosity,” said Margaret Moye, Executive Director of the Grout Museum District. “This project allows us to build on what generations of families have loved about the Imaginarium while creating new opportunities for exploration and discovery.”

The gallery is made possible through the District’s Reimagine the Imag: Inspiring Curiosity for Future Generations campaign, which supports the renovation, new exhibits and long-term sustainability of the science space.

Additional details about the December 15 opening, including hours and visitor information, will be announced closer to the opening date.

Together, we’ll continue to spark curiosity, inspire learning, and serve the community we all care so deeply about.

For 32 years, the Bluedorn Science Imaginarium has inspired curiosity, creativity, and discovery for children and families across the Cedar Valley. Now, as we look to the future, we’re reimagining hands-on science learning inside the main Grout Museum—a more inclusive, sustainable, and engaging environment for everyone.

Your gift to Reimagine the Imag will help transform and integrate science experiences into a refreshed, future-focused space while ensuring this spirit of wonder continues for generations to come.

Campaign Goal: $300,000
($250,000 for exhibits and renovation + $50,000 for endowment support)

Ways to Make an Impact

Supporter - $1-$249
Be part of our new digital recognition screen inside the exhibit. Your name (or family’s) will appear as a lasting tribute to your support.

Explorer – $250+
Supports hands-on learning tools and materials for interactive science stations. Recognition on the campaign website and social media. Name listed in donor newsletter updates. Early behind-the-scenes updates on the new space.

Innovator – $1,000+
Helps fund exhibit components that encourage imagination, experimentation, and play. Recognition on campaign communications and website. Invitation to exclusive donor updates and sneak-peek opportunities. Highlighted in donor newsletters and social media spotlights.

Creator – $5,000+
Powers the purchase of new science exhibits. Recognition on exhibit signage. Invitation to tours during the renovation. Social media spotlight on donor contributions.

Visionary – $10,000+
Fuels installation of new, large exhibits. VIP preview event before public opening. Permanent recognition in the new space. Media acknowledgement highlighting leadership role.

Gallery Naming Opportunity – $80,000
A premier opportunity to name the new Imaginarium Science Gallery within the Grout Museum. This exclusive leadership gift honors your commitment to inspiring future generations of thinkers and explorers.

Carl A. & Peggy J. Bluedorn

Carl A. Bluedorn was an individual who was very active in the Waterloo/Cedar Falls community where he resided. He and his wife, Peggy, provided financial support for the Carl and Peggy Bluedorn Science Imaginarium at the Grout Museum District in Waterloo.