Illumination Celebration at Wheaton College

Received a notice about this event via email:

Illumination Celebration!

Saturday, April 11, 2015, 1 – 4pm

Location Meyer Science Center Building

In celebration of the United Nations’ International Year of Light, Wheaton College hosts a free open house featuring science- and light-themed fun! The event takes place on campus at the Meyer Science Center from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 11.

This family-friendly event invites children and families to learn how light-based technologies work, enjoy interactive, hands-on labs, and (weather permitting) use our state-of-the-art equipment for solar observations.

The Meyer Science Center is located at 430 Howard Street in Wheaton; parking is available in the Howard Street parking lot, or on the east side of the Billy Graham Center. For more information, please call the Office of Media Relations at 630.752.5015.

Registration open at CHAMPS

New families may now register at CHAMPS homeschool co-op in Mount Prospect:

The 2012-2013 schedule for CHAMPs homeschooll co-op is available online
at www.champshomeschool.com Course descriptions will soon be posted.
Registration for NEW members will begin on May 7; registration for
CURRENT members will begin on April 16.

We meet on Mondays during the school year in Mount Prospect.

You can contact us at champs-board@yahoogroups.com

Please contact them for additional information.

Free Things on MLK Day

From Free Things to do in Chicago:

There are lots of great free things to do on Martin Luther King Day in Chicago. Three of the leading museums have free admission on this holiday:

FREE Museum of Science and Industry on MLK Day – Jan 16

Come on out on MLK Day and enjoy the health-focused new “You! The Experience” gallery, and the awesome “Science Storms.” Science Storms reveals the science behind seven natural phenomena—lightning, fire, tornados, avalanches, tsunamis, sunlight and atoms in motion. Investigate the basic scientific principles behind nature’s power as you try more than 50 amazing experiments that take two floors and 26,000 square feet to contain … barely. It’s a perfect storm of physics, chemistry and curiosity. Also take in the renovated U-505 German submarine, a simulated coal mine and a glass-covered hatchery of chicks. Illinois residents can take advantage of free general admission on Monday, January 16.

Museum of Science and Industry – 773-684-1414
5700 S Lake Shore Dr
msichicago.org
9:30am–4pm.

FREE Shedd Aquarium on MLK Day – Jan 16

The Shedd aquatic galleries are home to creatures from the Waters of the World – rivers and reefs, Great Lakes and small ones, and the global ocean. So take a tour of the water planet. Want to explore a little deeper? Immerse yourself in the Caribbean Reef, Amazon Rising’s flooded forest, the Oceanarium’s Pacific Northwest coast and Wild Reef’s Indo-Pacific reef. Go totally polar in Polar Play Zone and be sure to see Shedd’s aquatic show. Admission to original exhibits “Waters of the World,” “Caribbean Reef” and “Amazon Rising” is free to Illinois residents on Monday, January 16. Discounts are also available for packages that include entry to exhibits such as “Abbott Oceanarium,” “Wild Reef” and “Polar Play Zone.”

Shedd Aquarium – 312-939-2438
1200 S Lake Shore Dr
sheddaquarium.org
9am–5pm

FREE Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Activities at the Chicago History Museum

Commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through family activities and crafts reflecting his messages of peace and justice. Listen to music that honors Dr. King, and attend a performance of The MLK Project by the Writers’ Theatre. Cost: Free Admission and includes complimentary Museum admission

Schedule of Events

All day

Kids Crafts with Artist Sue Romanelli

Crown Room, first floor

11:00 a.m.

The MLK Project: Fight for Civil Rights

The Writer’s Theatre

Rubloff Auditorium, 1st floor’

12:30 p.m.
Precious Lord: A Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Chicago Chamber ChoirChicago Room, 2nd floor1:45 p.m.
“I have a Dream” speech
Re-enactment by Oba William KingChicago Room, 2nd floor2:00 p.m.
Voices for Freedom
Gwen Hilary, Storyteller and Enoch Williamson, MusicianChicago Room, 2nd floor2:45 p.m.
“I’ve been to the Mountaintop” speech
Re-enactment by Oba William KingChicago Room, 2nd floor

Chicago History Museum – 312-642-4600

10am–3pm
1601 N Clark St

Read more at Free Things to Do in Chicago: http://chicagofree.info/2012/01/14/free-admission-to-chicago-museums-on-martin-luther-king-day/#ixzz1jYCAL8QO

Homeschool mom’s Midwinter Renewal

From Illinois Christian Home Educators:

ICHE Ladies’ Midwinter Renewal

II Corinthians 9:8 “And God is able to bless you abundantly,

so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

When: January 28, 2012

Time: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Cost: $25.00 per person, $50.00 per immediate family

Where:

Aurora Christian School

2255 Sullivan Road

Aurora, Illinois 60506

We are blessed to have Tracy Klicka as our speaker.

klicka

Tracy is the widow of Christopher Klicka, who was Senior Counsel of Home School Legal Defense Association. Married 21 years, they were blessed with seven children, whom they homeschooled since their birth. Through many trials over the years (including the near-death of their twins during her pregnancy and Chris’ struggles with multiple sclerosis), Tracy has learned firsthand what walking by faith is all about. She has seen over and over again the outpouring of God’s grace in her life, and the precious importance of the Scriptures in sustaining and empowering believers. Her message for moms is one of hope and joy in God, who is able to make all grace abound to us (II Corinthians 9:8). She has written dozens of articles, has been interviewed on both national and international media, and has spoken at numerous state home school conventions to encourage women to see God’s faithfulness as they take him at His Word.

We are planning a special day for you. It begins at 8:00 a.m. with check in and a coffee time for fellowship followed by speaker sessions at 9:00 a.m. During the day, you will be challenged in your walk with the Lord, enjoy the blessings of fellowship, and partake of a delicious brunch served by wonderful volunteers. The last session will be finished by 3:00 p.m. We want you to be encouraged to trust in the Lord as He leads you down the path He has chosen for you. Daughters ages 12 and over are encouraged to attend with their mothers.

Invite a friend, and register now at www.iche.org . The registration deadline is January 21, 2012. Please be praying for our ICHE Ladies’ Midwinter Renewal and for our speaker, Tracy Klicka. We are so much looking forward to seeing you later this month.

Blessings,

The ICHE Ladies’ Midwinter Renewal Committee

National Geography Bee

An opportunity to flex your mental muscles in the geography arena!

What: The Lake County National Geographic Bee

Where: Grayslake Area Public Library

When: Tuesday, December 13 at 10 am

Who: The competition is open to homeschooled students who live in Lake County and are in 4th to 8th grade. This is a great opportunity to test kids on their national and international geography knowledge. The winner will take a test to qualify for the Illinois Bee. Last year the Lake County winner, Annie Ulrich, won the state competition and went on to the National level.

To find out more or to sign up, e-mail Audrey Ringer at dnaringer@yahoo.com.

My kids participated in the local geo bee a few years ago and it provided great incentive to learn their geography facts and really dig into the world around them. Great opportunity!

St Charles library homeschool workshop

I attended this when I lived in St. Charles and found it helpful.

The librarians offer information on what the library offers, perks to being a St. Charles card holder and some of the lesser known resources at the library. In addition to the helpful info you can connect with other St. Charles homeschoolers. Contact them to register:

Greetings,

Our 2011 Homeschool Workshop is scheduled on Tuesday, August 30 from 10-11:15 am. We will be talking about our services and resources: Internet access, Live Homework Help, research strategies, literature programs, and more. Network with other homeschool parents from 11:15-11:45. You may register by contacting the ASK ME Desk at 630-584-9390. Thanks so much. See you in a couple of weeks.

~ Denise

Launch your year right

Cantigny Catapult Contest

Saturday, October 22, 11am

Overview

Catapults have a long history in warfare. We want you to build a working version of these war machines. The challenge is to build a catapult which is designed to throw a tennis ball as far as possible. Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place distances. Most importantly, contestants get the chance to build a catapult, compete, and possibly earn eternal glory! This project is fun, exciting, and as easy or intricate as you want to make it.

Participants

This contest is open to all catapult enthusiasts; no matter your age!
Teams are allowed (and encouraged). No more than 4 people per team please.
All participants must register in advance by filling out this registration form by October 15, 2011.

Specifications

No ready-made kits. Each catapult must be designed, constructed, and launched by contestants.
No part of the catapult can extend over 6 feet high.
All catapults will be launched on a grass field. They must sit on the ground. No tables.
The catapult cannot be staked into the ground.
All catapults will fling tennis balls provided by the First Division Museum at Cantigny.
Your catapult must have a triggering mechanism which will allow you to stand 2 feet away.
No explosions or air pressure may be used to assist the performance of your catapult. In other words, the energy used to power your catapult must be provided by the device itself.
Any type of hurling machine is acceptable: Ballista, Trebuchet, Mangonel, etc.

Scoring

Each group will be allowed three launches. The best launch will be used as your score. The longest launch wins. Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place distances.

Sign Up Now

If you’d like to register for the contest, click here to download the entry form. After filling out the form, save it and email it to mtyer@firstdivisionmuseum.org. If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Tyer at 630 260 8274.
Please click this link for a printable flyer for your classroom:
http://www.firstdivisionmuseum.org/events/schedule/catapult.pdf

Summer movies $1

Starts June 13th! Runs 9 weeks! $1 per ticket, all ages! Each week, Monday through Friday at 10:00am we offer an entertaining PG movie.

Playing at the following 12 theaters: Canton Cinema, Capital 8, Eastside 9, Forum 8, Hamilton 16 IMAX, Kalamazoo 10, Kendall 10, Portage 16 IMAX, Quality 16, Randall 15 IMAX, Savoy 16, Willow Knolls 14

www.gqti.com/kidsummermovies.aspx

Chicagoland Homeschool Expo

In August the Chicagoland Homeschool Expo will return to the area.The following information is taken from their website and includes links to their site for further information:

2011 Chicago Homeschool Expo

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER $20 per person

$25 for Husband & Wife

Chicago Homeschool Expo August 5-6, 2011

Schaumburg Convention Center (Chicago), IL

1551 N. Thoreau Dr, Schaumburg, IL 60173

Chicago Homeschool Expo Registration
Includes Homeschooling for Excellence 101, Worldview Teen Tract AND KidsZone
August 4-6, 2011

At the door registration is also available at the door the day of the Conference. Payment accepted at the door includes cash or checks only.

REFUND POLICY – There are no refunds, just as there are no refunds for tickets to events such as concerts, sporting events, etc.

College Fair admission is FREE with ALL ticket purchases including Homeschooling 101, KidsZone, Worldview Teen Track, and Chicago Homeschool Expo.

Upcoming Creation Speakers


	Saturday, March 26, 2011, 9:00 am \| 10:30 am \| 1:00 pm \| 2:30 pm Dr. Jonathan Sarfati of Creation Ministries International Grace Free Lutheran Church, 1121 S First Street, Dekalb 60115. (IL) This is part of Dr. Sarfati’s Evolution: The Greatest Hoax on Earth tour
	Sunday, March 27, 2011, 9:30 am \| 10:30 am Dr. Jonathan Sarfati of Creation Ministries International *Design, Deluge and Dilemma* (pdf 5.5″ x 8.5″ flyer) and (pdf 11″ x 17″ poster) Grace Free Lutheran Church, 1121 S First Street, Dekalb, IL This is part of Dr. Sarfati’s Evolution: The Greatest Hoax on Earth tour
	Sunday, March 27, 2011, 7:00 pm Dr. Jonathan Sarfati of Creation Ministries International Topic TBA Church of Christian Liberty, 502 West Euclid Avenue, Arlington Heights, IL This is part of Dr. Sarfati’s Evolution: The Greatest Hoax on Earth tour
	April 1, 2011 Illinois Regional [homeschool Science Fair Rockford Radisson, 202 Bellschool Rd, Rockford, IL Homeschoolers! Here’s YOUR chance to participate in a real, regional science fair! Bonus: afternoon seminar will include MCF’s own Walt Sivertsen speaking on “The Heart and Core of the Creation/Evolution Issue” and Jim Ryan speaking on “Astronomy and the Glory of God.”
	Tuesday, April 5, 2011, 7:00 p.m. Richard Stepanek of the Alpha Omega Institute Astronomy and the Glory of God Hampton Inn, Carol Stream, IL No cost. Freewill offering accepted.
	Tuesday, May 3, 7:00 p.m. and Michael Oard of Creation Ministries International Ice Age Caused by the Flood Hampton Inn, 205 W. North Avenue, Carol Stream, IL What could have caused snow to remain year-round for so long that it built up into glaciers up to *2 miles deep,* on up to 30 per cent of earth’s surface? What happened to those millions of mammoths who are now found frozen in permafrost? No cost. Freewill offering accepted. You can see a full list of scheduled speakers on Midwest Creation Fellowship’s site.