Wonder Institute was born out of a lifelong passion for STEM and hands-on education. After more than 16 years teaching math and engineering at Jackson Hole High School and founding the JH RoboBroncs, Executive Director Gary Duquette saw a need to expand that same spark of creation beyond the classroom walls. Today, Wonder is a community-wide launchpad where curiosity gets its hands dirty.
We approach our mission through three distinct, action-packed pillars:
Wonder Learn: Curiosity for Every Age. Learning at Wonder never stops. We host high-energy, year-round classes designed for kids, teens and adults of every skill level. By day, you’ll find us running K-12 daytime programs; by night, we host dynamic public workshops. We also fuel the next generation of tech innovators through the JH RoboBroncs, powering over 150 local students in grades 3–12 as they master engineering, advanced coding and competitive robotics. When school lets out, our legendary Summer Maker Camps keep the creative momentum going.
Wonder Labs: The Space to Build It. Every brilliant concept needs room to breathe—and the right machinery to back it up. Our 1,600-square-foot facility at Deer Drive features a flexible shop layout and top-tier gear. For our adult makerspace members, it means exclusive access to dedicated woodworking, sewing, digital fabrication and high-tech prototyping setups alongside an experienced mentor community. Looking for a casual sandbox to experiment? Our general-access Beginner Makerspace features 3D printing, precision laser cutting and a full recording studio.
Wonder Launch: Real Skills, Real Careers. We don’t just teach for the classroom; we build pathways for the future. Wonder Launch connects local students and adults directly to thriving local industries. Through strategic partnerships with regional employers, the Teton County School District and Central Wyoming College, we provide hands-on internships, dual enrollment opportunities and critical workforce training. From funding our Career Pathways program to launching our comprehensive Trades Pathway, we are bridging the gap between local talent and great regional jobs.
Fuel the Wonder Movement: Wonder Institute thrives because of community support. Every workshop booking, makerspace membership and collaborative donation directly shapes Jackson’s creative and economic landscape. We treat our supporters as true partners in this journey—meaning every contribution is the start of a long-term relationship to build what comes next.
Ready to make something incredible, learn a new skill, or collaborate with us?
