Our Mission
The mission of the Imaginarium is to provide engaging, developmentally appropriate STEAM experiences that ignite curiosity and support the growth of higher-order thinking skills in children and youth. Through interactive exhibits, creative activities, and guided exploration, camps, field trips, and hands-on programs, we create opportunities for learners to experiment, innovate, and express original ideas.
We are dedicated to expanding educational equity by bringing high-quality STEAM programming to rural and underserved communities across Mississippi, who might otherwise have limited access. Through initiatives such as the Imaginarium Express mobile makerspace, we ensure that all children—regardless of school district or location—have access to hands-on learning that builds confidence, strengthens problem-solving skills, and fosters a positive STEM identity.
The Imaginarium also serves as a collaborative space for educators, families, and community partners to engage in meaningful and multigenerational learning. We offer professional development that equips teachers with evidence-based practices in creativity, STEM pedagogy, and design thinking, while also creating tools and opportunities for families to support children’s curiosity and learning beyond our doors. These efforts strengthen the broader learning ecosystem. We collaborate with schools, universities, and organizations to strengthen educational ecosystems, support talent development, and share evidence-based practices that amplify impact.
To sustain our mission, we invest in robust infrastructure, meaningful partnerships, rigorous evaluation, and a research agenda that advances understanding of creativity and STEAM learning. As a living laboratory, the Imaginarium integrates data-informed decision making, continuous improvement, and community engagement to ensure long-term impact. Through this commitment, we cultivate a vibrant educational environment where creativity, innovation, and responsible stewardship flourish. By supporting teachers, engaging families, and integrating ongoing evaluation, the Imaginarium builds capacity across the community and ensures that creativity and STEAM learning thrive well beyond the center itself.
Our Vision
The Imaginarium envisions a future in which every young learner—regardless of background or community—has the opportunity to explore, create, and discover through transformative STEAM experiences. We believe that curiosity, imagination, and a sense of wonder are foundational to deep learning and should be nurtured from an early age. We believe every child possesses unique perspectives, and our environment is intentionally designed to celebrate these differences while fostering inclusive, empowering pathways into discovery and innovation.
We strive to be a regional and national leader in creativity and STEAM education by modeling how hands-on, inquiry-rich environments can cultivate critical thinking, creative problem solving, design thinking, and responsible innovation. Our vision draws on research and evidence from the learning sciences showing that hands-on, open-ended, inquiry-rich experiences strengthen adaptive expertise and prepare young people to navigate the complexities of a rapidly changing technological world.
We aim to contribute to the educational, civic, and economic vitality of Mississippi and beyond by inspiring transformation within learners, families, schools, and communities. We aim to inspire transformation not only within children, but also within schools and communities. By building meaningful partnerships and offering high-quality learning opportunities, the Imaginarium seeks to enhance early talent development and broaden access to experiences that spark curiosity, strengthen identity, and encourage collaboration.
To realize this vision, the Imaginarium is committed to continuous learning and long-term sustainability. We remain responsive to new discoveries in education, advances in technology, and the evolving needs of our community. We embrace emerging research, advancing technologies, and reflective practice to ensure that our work remains relevant, evidence-based, and future-oriented. As a dynamic hub for creativity and STEAM excellence, we seek to foster not only innovation but also wisdom, empathy, and ethical engagement—qualities essential for shaping a thriving future.