Learning Labs
Learning Labs are facilitated, focused, hands-on learning experiences for school groups. They are multi-disciplinary and aligned with Illinois Learning Standards.
Students in the Museum Crime Lab complete an activity. Learning Lab Guides provide vocabulary, pre- and post-visit activities and additional resources to enhance each lab.
Learning Lab registration for the 2009-10 school year is now open, with programs offered starting Sept. 22. Please contact us if you need to accommodate students with special needs such as learning ability, language or physical ability.
- Learning Labs are offered Tuesdays through Fridays at 10:15 am and 11:45 am (Heart Surgery 101 and Life Begins are only offered on Tuesdays, and ER/OR is only offered on Thursdays)
New labs
Learning Lab
- ER/OR
- Explore medical careers and cutting-edge medical technologies by "training" as a resident.
- 7th - 9th grade
Learning Lab
- Heart Surgery 101
- Learn about careers in the OR and handle real surgical tools in a facilitated discussion featuring a pre-recorded session of open heart surgery.
- 7th - 12th grade
Other labs
Learning Lab
- City Science: Building Bridges
- Students learn about the basics of structural design as they design, build, and test bridges and explore potential careers.
- 4th -8th grade
Learning Lab
- Evidence Lab
- Students use hands-on forensic science techniques and analyze DNA, bullets, blood spatter and trace evidence to solve a crime.
- 8th-12th grade
Learning Lab
- Life Begins: Puberty, Reproduction & Prenatal Development
- A trained health educator provides an overview of reproduction, fetal development and the birth process. Tuesdays only.
- 5th grade
Learning Lab
- Live ... from the Heart
- This interactive videoconference takes you live into the operating room to talk with a surgical team as they perform a bypass procedure.
- 8th - 12th grade
Learning Lab
- Museum Crime Lab
- Students solve a crime at the Museum using fingerprint analysis, chromatography, white powder analysis and microscopy techniques.
- 4th-8th grade
Learning Lab
- Renewable Energy: Cars of the Future
- Students explore new technology like hydrogen fuel cell cars and discover how some of the latest renewable energy resources work.
- 6th-10th grade
Learning Lab
- Simple Machines
- Students learn about the energy and work behind simple machines by competing in a challenge using pulleys, levers, inclined planes and more.
- 3rd-6th grade
Learning Lab
- Submarine Lab
- Tour the historic submarine, participate in hands-on activities and explore the science and history behind the U-505.
- 4th -8th grade
Learning Lab
- Testing the Waters
- Students explore the watershed and use environmental science methods to determine the quality of Chicago-area water samples.
- 4th -8th grade
CASE
The Center aims to inspire the next generation of inventors and innovators with programs that empower teachers, engage the community and excite students.
- Happening Now
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Smart Home: Green + Wired
Chicago's greenest home re-opens with a fresh look and new technology.
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Wired to Win
Go inside the science of surviving cycling's most grueling race.
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Science Storms
Feel the physics and consider the chemistry of natural phenomena like tornados and avalanches.
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- Coming Soon
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Hubble
Take an unprecedented voyage through distant galaxies with the first space-based observatory.
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Chicago Public Schools Citywide Science Fair
Over 300 CPS students bring their science projects to the Museum for this weekend event.
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Discoveries ... Member Travel: France
Members can explore culture, science and advanced technology in Paris and Toulouse.
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New Online Activities
- Online Activity
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See the Colors in Leaves
Use chromatography to separate the pigments in leaves and see what they're made of.
- Online Activity
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Fly a Hot-Air Balloon
See what happens when air is heated as you build and fly a huge hot-air balloon.
- Online Activity
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Build an Electric Motor
Magnets and electricity work together to make an electric motor.