Tag: Field Trips

Engineer’s Week Expo

Engineering: The Gateway to Tomorrow’s Technology

You are invited to The Twenty Seventh Annual DuPage Engineers Week Expo:

Date: February 26, 2011
Time: 11:00 AM to 3:30 PM
What to find there:

  • ZOOM into Engineering and Design Squad
  • DuPage Children’s Museum
  • LEGO® Robotics — Chicago Robotics
  • Mr. Freeze Cryogenics
  • 4,500 Years of Structures
  • Working Bikes — Robot Design Engineering

Where: The School of Applied Technology
Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Campus
Illinois Institute of Technology
201 East Loop Drive
Wheaton, IL. 60189

Visit their Website – http://dupageeweek.iit.edu There you will find all the details as far as schedules, display descriptions, and even a floor plan of the building with what will be set up where. Some of the displays I am familiar with from other events and I know my kids would really enjoy this. It is free and geared toward kids K-8. Definitely looks like fun for everyone.

Free Educator Screening in Batavia

You and one (1) guest are invited to a Free Educator Screening of Hubble 3D and Mysteries of the Great Lakes. Additional guests will be charged $5.50 for each movie, or $10.00 for both movies.

Date: Saturday February 12, 2011

Time: 9:00am – Hubble 3D and at 10:00am see Mysteries of the Great Lakes (please arrive a half hour prior to showtime to check-in and register)

Place: Randall 15 IMAX – 550 N. Randall Rd.  Batavia, IL 60510  Get Map

RSVP: Email or Call 630-659-6762. RSVP by noon on Friday Feb. 11. IMPORTANT – Please leave us your first and last name, school name, theater, and number of people attending. If registering via email, you will receive an email confirmation. If registering via phone, you will not receive a phone call to confirm your space.
HUBBLE 3D: Experience the gripping story – full of hope, crushing disappointment, dazzling ingenuity, bravery, and triumph in Hubble 3D, the seventh awe-inspiring film from the award-winning IMAX Space Team. Through the power of IMAX 3D, Hubble 3D will enable movie-goers to journey through distant galaxies to explore the grandeur and mysteries of our celestial surroundings, and accompany space-walking astronauts as they attempt the most difficult and important tasks in NASA’s history. The film will offer an inspiring and unique look into the Hubble Space Telescope’s legacy and highlight its profound impact on the way we view the universe and ourselves.  Website Educator Guide
MYSTERIES OF THE GREAT LAKES: It takes a drop of water nearly 400 years to travel from the headwaters of Lake Superior to the edge of Lake Ontario.  Along the way, the water passes by towering cliffs dotted with early Native American pictographs, caribou and moose grazing on the shores, over giant prehistoric sturgeon lurking among thousands of shipwrecks and past nearly 40 million people who live along the more than 10,000 miles of coastline.  It is a dramatic journey through some of the most spectacular scenery in the world.  Now, you can witness the Mysteries of the Great Lakes on the only screen large enough to reveal them, in IMAX!  Website Educator Guide 1-3, Educator Guide 4-6 Educator Guide 7-8
Teachers!  Book your Group Today! Call Jeannette at 630-659-6762 or email
COMING SOON!!!
Book your group Born to be Wild
Visit our website for more information on IMAX and Teacher Resources at www.GQTIMAX.com

Homeschool Resource Fair

The Beacon Homeschool group has once again arranged a resource fair for homeschoolers in the greater Chicagoland area to share their services and look for opportunities.

Find this annual event at the Elk Grove Village Public Library.

From their website:

5th Annual Resource Fair
Tuesday, January 25, 7-9pm

Check out the many programs especially for homeschoolers.
Arts, Music, Academic Classes, Field Trips and more!

This event is open to all home educating families for free. Come out and browse the many opportunities uniquely designed for homeschoolers including Co-ops, Museums, Field trips, Art/Music/Horseback riding programs, Sewing/Science/general Academics classes, and Services for homeschoolers.

The first 100 attendees will receive a Resource booklet with many more resources.

Click here to be a vendor at the fair.

Homeschoolers looking for resources don’t need to register, just come any time during the open house to find more resources in your area.

Fermilab Open House

Fermilab Family Open House

Sunday, February 27, 2011

1:00–5:00 PM

Directions to Fermilab

Last year we attended this fun event as a family and the kids did not want to leave. It’s fairly simple without a lot of glitz and glamor, but if you have a science buff in your house, they will love all the hands on discoveries to be made. Last year we did not register for the tour, but if we make it this year I hope to get that in as well.
Some of you might be familiar with them for their Dr. Freeze presentations, or their educational resource center that is open almost daily, or their newsworthy scientific research. Whether you are familiar with them or not, this free event to get to know them a bit better has something for everyone to enjoy. It was well attended last year, so prepare for a crowd, but it was worth the trouble for our family.
Family Open House

CYT performances coming soon

Starting with The Sound of Music at Timothy Christian in Elmhurst, CYT (Christian Youth Theater) kicks off another great season of performances around the Chicago area starring young people of a variety of ages.

You can see the whole year at a glance, or check out the shows in your area. I have attended a number of their shows over the years and have always had a great experience. My kids have honestly enjoyed every single one of them.

Ticket prices start at just $5 each for school day performances (for groups over 75 people). If seats are available you can often buy walk in tickets to a school day performance for $10.

This year you can also enjoy productions of Narnia, The Little Mermaid, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, Beauty and the Beast, Robin Hood, Godspell, Annie, Cinderella and many more.

And, if your child is more the participant than the spectators, he might enjoy the classes they have available to give him a taste of the stage.

Apples and Pumpkins

Picking Apples And Pumpkins - Fun Fall Books for Kids

Fall has officially gotten underway and if you have not already visited an orchard or pumpkin patch this year, you still have time.

Be sure to check websites or make a phone call before heading out. They can give you more details on each one for directions, current crop availability, tips for enjoying your time, and even setting up a group field trip to their location. Many of them offer various learning opportunities as well as samples of their products for reasonable rates.

Fall is one of the best times to enjoy living in this area, so don’t miss these opportunities. Before we know it we will be buried in snow. . . Make some memories to keep you warm. 🙂

Here are some favorites in the Chicago area:

  • The Children’s Farm – 12700 Southwest Highway, Palos Park, IL 60464.
    Phone: 708-361-3650. Fax: 708-361-2811.
  • Honey Hill Orchard – 11747 Waterman Road, Waterman, IL 60556.
    Phone: 815-264-3337.
  • Jonamac Orchard, Inc. – 19412 Shabbona Road, Malta, IL 60150.
    Phone: 815-825-2158.
  • Sycamore Pumpkin Patch – 15326 Quiqley Road, Sycamore, IL.
    Phone: 815-895-3276.
  • UP Berries – 30683 Lanan Road, Kingston, IL 60145
  • Olive Berry Acres – Minimizes chemical and pesticide use
    2575 West Mine Road Mazon, IL 60444.
    Phone: 815-474-6511.
  • Country Corner – 5333 U. S. highway 150, Alpha, IL 61413.
    Phone: 3096292359. Fax: 3096292359.
  • Anderson Farm – 251 Montgomery Road, Montgomery, IL 60538.
    Phone: 630-896-8835. Fax: 630-554-0098.
  • Greenfield Farms – 0S951 Green Road, Elburn, IL 60119.
  • ***Kuipers Family Farm – 1n318 Watson Road, Maple Park, IL 60151.
    Phone: 815-827-5200.
  • Pine Apple Acres – 41W651 Powers Road, Huntley, IL.
    Phone: 847-669-3251.
  • Plank Road Apple Orchard – 50w737 Plank Rd, Sycamore, IL 60178.
    Phone: 815-899-4020.
  • Didier Farms – 16678 West Aptakisic Road, Prairie View, IL 60069.
    Phone: 847-634-3291. Alternate Phone: 847-634-3295.
  • Heinz Orchard – 1050 Crest Road (corner of Crest & Atkinson), Green Oaks, IL 60048. Phone: 847-770-3449.
  • Krueger’s vegetable’s – 28572 West Route 120, Lakemoor, IL 60051.
    Phone: 815-385-4981. Email us at: Kruegersfarm@aol.com.
  • All Seasons Orchard – 14510 Illinois Route 176, Woodstock, IL 60098.
    Phone: 815-338-5637. Fax: 815-338-6479.
  • Cody’s Farm -19502 River Road, Marengo, IL 60152.
    Phone: (815) 482-4125.
  • ***Goebbert’s Pumpkin Patch – 42 W 813 Reinking Road, Hampshire, IL.
    Phone: 847-464-5952. (Last year we enjoyed this farm — they even had a couple giraffes that you could feed. AMAZING!) Also at 40 W Higgins Rd. in South Barrington
  • Grace Farm Studios – 2719 Franklinville Road, Woodstock, IL 60098.
    Phone: 815-790-8895.
  • Homestead Orchard – 11802 Charles Road, Woodstock, IL 60098.
    Phone: 815-338-7443.
  • Knoll’s Apple Orchard and Vegetable Farm – 15211 Saint Patrick Road, Woodstock, IL 60098.
    Phone: 815-337-2334.
  • Lang’s Orchard – 17411 Secor Road, Woodstock, IL 60098.
    Phone: (815) 568-7547.
  • Meadowmoor Orchard – 1517 N Rte 47, Woodstock, IL 60033.
    Phone: 847-219-7597.
  • More Than Delicious Orchard – 9905 W. Thompson Road, Woodstock, IL 60098.
    Phone: 815-338-2309.
  • Prairie Sky Orchard – 4914 N Union Road, Union, IL 60180.
    Phone: 815-923-4834.
  • ***Royal Oak Farm Orchard – 15908 Hebron Road, Harvard, IL 60033.
    Phone: 815-648-4141.
  • Stade’s Farm and Market – 3709 West Miller Road, Mchenry, IL 60051.
    Phone: 815-675-6396.
  • Woodstock Country Orchard – 17015 Garden Valley Road,  Woodstock, IL 60098. Phone: (815) 923-4359.
  • ***Sonny Acres – 29W310 North Ave West Chicago, IL
    Phone: 630-231-9515 (discounted wrist bands on Wednesdays from starting at 2:00)

(Check this link for more as they become available)

***Ones we have personally enjoyed a great deal in recent years.

Free days at Brookfield!

Looking for a way to take full advantage of this beautiful weather we are having this fall?

Brookfield Zoo would be the perfect place. And, from October through December admission is free on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

You will still need to pay the $9 parking fee and all internal attractions that require extra fees will still do so. However, you can enjoy a great day at the zoo for a very reasonable price.

Starting in November and continuing through March the Family Play Zoo and the Children’s Zoo will be free as well.

Check out all the specifics on prices on the zoo website general information.

Very likely you can find something in the zoo’s many exhibits to tie into a current unit of study, or to enjoy a day of fun, real-life learning outside the books. Grab another family and make a day of it.

Pals around the Pond

The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum offers lots of hands on learning for all ages.

On Wednesdays you can enjoy a time geared toward 3-6 year olds meeting Pals around their Pond or Pals on the Prairie.

Description: Ages 3-6 Leave the classroom behind and discover the exceptional elements that make the North Pond a unique treasure in the city. To learn more about our early childhood classes, click here.
Registration Info: Class topics vary. Cost: $10/member or $12/non-member. To register, fill out a registration form or email familyprograms@naturemuseum.org.

All ages are welcome to attend. If you have kids that might not fit the target audience, feel free to call about attending with them as well.

They have other events that are free with admission, like pond tours, meeting with a Ranger, and nature walks.
Enjoy these last few weeks of summer!

Six Flags Homeschool Day

2010 HOME SCHOOL DAY
Friday, August 27

Six Flags hosts the 15th annual Home School Day event on August 27. Enjoy a fun filled day at the park with your family and friends. A special all-you-can-eat Home School Day picnic is also available in our private picnic grove. Contact SFGAMspecialevents@sixflags.com for additional information.

Home School Day Flyer

HOME SCHOOL DAY PICNIC—ONLY $10.25

All-you-can-eat picnic buffet in our private picnic grove includes fried
chicken, hot dogs, meatless mostaccioli, potato salad, pasta salad,
potato chips, pickles, rolls and unlimited soft drinks. You may enter the
picnic grove any time from 11:30a.m.-1:00p.m.

EXCLUSIVE RIDE TIME

Purchase a Home School Day ticket and receive one hour of exclusive ride time on Superman Ultimate Flight,
Rue le Dodge and Condor. This exclusive ride time is available before the park opens from 9:00 a.m.-10:00a.m.
and is only available to people who have purchased Home School Day tickets.