Junior Achievement of Southwestern Indiana

The first of its kind for the Southern Indiana region, Junior Achievement of Southwestern Indiana’s Discovery Center serves as an educational hub and operational headquarters, featuring cutting-edge technology to support student’s bright futures.

Full of opportunities for mentorship and hands-on experience, the Discovery Center offers spaces for students to learn and grow beyond their imaginations. Students begin their journeys in the main lobby, where they’re introduced to the Junior Achievement family through branded details and pops of color. The orientation hall features tiered seating to give the impression of a higher education lecture hall, but with a fun twist — after the onstage speaker’s introduction, curtains part behind them to reveal an exciting surprise.

The curtain reveals the town square simulation space, where 18 storefronts are occupied by local businesses hosting simulated work environments for students, from Financial Park to BizTown. The area is outfitted with an astroturf lawn framed by custom-named streets and lampposts. It presents a safe learning environment for students to explore their workplace potential and connect with local employers. This flexible space can transform to host large events. Throughout the facility, solar tubes support sustainability and reduce the need for artificial lighting.

Additional spaces include the Hall of Fame, with AI-powered holograms allowing the different recipients of the award, past and present, to deliver lectures within the hall. The JobSpark flex exhibit space is adaptable for community partners and rotating exhibits. The first-floor café provides a place of connection for students while the dedicated break room supports the volunteers that are essential to Junior Achievement’s mission.

The second floor contains fresh and open office spaces, a large board room, meeting space and private offices that inspire focus and collaboration for the JA team. Keeping their biggest inspiration at the center, employees can take a moment during their workday to observe the learners in the town square below from the second-floor balcony.

Unique, fun and inspiring, the facility is a direct investment in the region’s youth, equipping them with financial literacy, career readiness and the confidence to envision futures beyond their wildest dreams.