Children’s Imaginarium fundraiser increases access to STEM learning

As the Children’s Imaginarium enters its third year, the nonprofit organization has become not only a cornerstone of the downtown Wausau redevelopment project, but also a hub for learning that forges Wausau’s future community members and leaders. The Imaginarium is a professionally designed, STEM-focused children’s museum that provides a place for kids to learn, parents to engage and families to connect.

On Friday, Feb. 20, the Imaginarium hosts its second annual Fire and Ice fundraiser, with hopes of securing $25,000 to support the Access for All program, which helps ensure that children from all backgrounds can access the enriching experiences offered at the STEM-focused children’s museum.

“It breaks down the financial barriers for children, families and schools who can’t afford field trips, can’t afford admission or membership,” said Julie Bollmann, executive director of the Children’s Imaginarium. “We make it affordable for them to come into the Children’s Imaginarium.”

It’s all part of a big community initiative, Bollmann said, to provide STEM – science, technology, engineering and math – learning opportunities that compliment what students are learning in school.

“There’s a recent report that came out that said if kids have not been exposed to STEM learning by fifth grade, they won’t pursue a STEM career – and STEM careers are the fastest growing careers in the world,” Bollmann said. “If we want to grow our youth and have them continue to work and stay in our community as a retention tool, we have to provide those early learning opportunities, which are so critical.”

The Children’s Imaginarium has welcomed over 75,000 visitors through its doors since opening in December 2023. One in four visitors, Bollmann said, uses the Access for All program – whether it’s for free or reduced admission, discounted memberships or support for a school field trip.

“Since we’ve opened our doors we’ve given away $75,000 of Access for All funds to provide family nights and free after school programming and reduce costs,” Bollmann said.

Over the past two years, the Children’s Imaginarium has received outstanding community support from residents and local business partners. That will be on display at the upcoming Fire and Ice event, which is set to feature food from Char, Muse at Sentry World, Chocolate Café, Mumble Wrap, Milk Merchant, The Pinery, Sourdough Co. and other local eateries, along with sips from Red Eye Brewing, Bull Falls Brewery, Stubborn Brothers, Left Bank Wine & Spirits, and Forward Beverage for non-alcoholic options.

In addition to great food and drinks, the evening includes a photo booth with fun props and a themed backdrop, a Sparkle Seek and Find sponsored by Wickersham Jewelry, raffle baskets, a silent auction and a stunning ice sculpture by Miron Construction.

Raffle items include a one carat diamond, a Louis Vuitton bag, a complete “Wausau experience” with gift cards to local events and businesses, and a “wine and dine” raffle basket.

Bollmann said $25,000 is a “lofty goal” for the event, but one that’s necessary and, if reached, could have a broad impact on local kids, considering how prevalent STEM careers are becoming.

“If you lay concrete, you’re doing STEM. If you’re a chef, you’re doing STEM. If you’re working on a computer doing coding, you’re doing STEM,” Bollmann said. “It’s where the future lies, so we want to provide those early learning resources to make everybody successful.”

Tickets to the Fire and Ice fundraiser are $75 at this time. The event is 6-9 p.m. at the Children’s Imaginarium: 195 North Second Street, Wausau. For more information, visit childrensimaginarium.org/fire-and-ice.