Homeschool Labs at Museum of Science and Industry

Hands-on Labs for Home School Students
Add a hands-on science lesson to your Museum visit! Our home school Learning Labs provide a facilitated, engaging experience for students. All sessions are held from 1 to 2:15 p.m. and cost $15 per student. Space is limited! Call (773) 684-1414 to register.

ER/OR, Feb. 11, ages 12 – 16: Explore medical careers and cutting-edge medical technologies.

Simple Machines, March 11, ages 7 – 11: Push and pull larger-than-life simple machines to learn how distance affects work.

Moving With Newton, May 13, ages 8 – 13: Explore Newton’s three laws of motion through hands-on activities.

Crime Lab, June 10, ages 8 – 13: Use fingerprint analysis, chromatography, white powder analysis and more to solve a crime.

Meet Scientists on Feb. 9
Have you ever wondered what it’s really like to be a scientist? Challenge your curiosity, experience fun activities and interact with real scientists during our Junior Science Cafés! Our sessions on Feb. 9 explore the chemistry of Cupid.
Learn More »
Learn Science Online
Explore science anytime online or on the go with our new games and mobile apps! Learn about the human body systems in Code Fred: Survival Mode, start a virtual food fight with Chew or Die, create simple machines to help Twitch work and more.
Learn More »
Animal Inside Out Opens March 14
Tickets On Sale Now
Animal Inside Out, a BODY WORLDS production, offers the unique chance to explore the intricate biology and physiology of some of the world’s most spectacular creatures. The exhibition showcases more than 100 animal specimens — from goats to giraffes and octupuses to ostriches — that have been preserved through Plastination. This exhibit requires an additional, timed-entry ticket.
Learn More » Buy Tickets »

Science math learning opportunity in Elgin

Received this via email from Dr. Figgins:

A Special Invitation!!!

Dear Parents of Home School Students:

I am an instructor in the Teacher Education Department at Judson University
and would like a pre-service teacher that I am instructing to have an
opportunity to work with a multi-age group of students. I would like to invite
you and your second through sixth grade home-school students to come to
four special science/math learning experiences.

Karlee Westra and I will be preparing four hands-on integrated science,
mathematics, and language arts experiences. There would be a one time
charge of $5.00 per student to cover the cost of materials. Parents must
attend with their students. (Please do not bring children who are younger than
second grade.)

Where: Judson Teacher Education Building – (Creekside)
Located at the bottom of the hill on Jerusha Street, Elgin, IL

When:

Tuesday, February 26 — 9:00-11:00 — Physical Science
Tuesday, March 19 — 9:00-11:00 –Fraction Fun
Tuesday, April 2 — 9:00-11:00 — Life Science
Tuesday, April 9th  — 9:00-11:00 — Geometry Fun

Please RSVP at lfiggins@quixnet.net. I need to know the dates you can
attend and the number and grade levels
of the children who will be
attending with you. It is not necessary to attend all sessions but I think the
experiences would be very beneficial for all learners. (Please include the
names of all participants as well as a phone number
.)

Feel free to call me with any questions of clarification.

Dr. Linda Figgins
630-319-7913

Journalism camp in MI

Received this info via email:

I am in charge of the journalism program at a Christian university in Michigan.

I was wondering if you might be able to help me communicate an opportunity regarding a residential summer high schoolers’ journalism/writing camp at Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Mich., with Illinois Christian home schooling parents with whom you might be acquainted in your group?

It is the 10th annual Cornerstone Journalism Institute, which runs from July 22-27. During the camp students:
•             Learn how to interview for a story
•             Learn how to write a human interest story
•             Then actually write one or more stories
•             Learn the basics of digital still camera photography
•             Actually take photographs to illustrate the stories

Students who were 8th-, 9th-, 10th- 11th- or 12th-graders this past school year are eligible to apply to attend the 10th annual Cornerstone Journalism Institute.

More institute details can be seen at: www.cornerstone.edu/events/cji

At the end of the week, students’ articles and photographs are compiled into an actual newspaper that rolls off of a printing press; and students bring a bundle of newspapers home to show proof of their work to family, friends and schoolmates back home.

One of our institute’s instructors, a dedicated Christian, Russ Pulliam, has home-schooled his children with his wife, and he himself is associate editor/columnist for the Indianapolis Star. He has been coming up to Grand Rapids, Mich., for several years now to lead a couple of the writing sessions and is very good at it.

If you provide me with your email address, I can email you more information about the camp.

We typically have a number of home school students attend our institute and many years we have had students from Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Maryland, Virginia, California and Michigan. I would love to have a good contingent of home schoolers attend from Illinois this summer.

While the regular camp cost is $325, I am offering a special discounted rate of $275 to any Illinois home school student who registers and pays in full by/before July 6, 2012.

In the past, some families have driven their child to our institute, got them settled and unpacked in the dormitory and then went camping themselves while their child enjoyed CJI. Just an idea. We provide 24-7 adult oversight of the students in our charge during the week of camp.

I would be happy to answer any questions you might have … I’m most easily reached by email or by cell at: 616.835.5574, as I’m not in my university office very much during the summer.

Can you help spread word of this camp with your fellow home school families in your region?

In Christ,

Alan D. Blanchard, A.B.D.
Executive Director CJI |Assoc. Professor/Director Journalism Dept.
Cornerstone University Journalism Institute
1001 E. Beltline Avenue NE |Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Phone 616.222.1504 | Fax 866.910.7320
www.cornerstone.edu/events/cji
10th annual CJI – July 22-27, 2012 |writing and photography high school summer camp

Free science classes

I received the following information via email. Please contact the teacher at the bottom of the invitation for more information.

A Special Invitation!!!

Dear Parents of Home School Students:

I am an instructor in the Teacher Education Department at Judson University
and would like a pre-service teacher that I am instructing to have an
opportunity to work with a multi-age group of students. I would like to invite
you and your second through sixth grade home-school students to come to
four special science/math learning experiences.

Mr. Matt Langston and I will be preparing four hands-on integrated science,
mathematics, and language arts experiences. There would be no charge for
the lessons but parents must attend with their students. (Please do not bring
children who are younger than second grade.)

Where: Judson Teacher Education Building – (Creekside)
Located at the bottom of the hill on Jerusha Street, Elgin, IL

When: 8:30 – 10:30 Monday, February 13

8:30 – 10:30 Monday, February 27
8:30 – 10:30 Monday, March 19
8:30 – 10:30 Monday, March 26

Thinking Like a Scientist – Process Skills
Ramps and Rollers – Physical Science
Fractions and Geometry
Height and Hands – Life Science

Please RSVP at lfiggins@quixnet.net. I need to know the dates you can attend
and the number and grade levels of the children who will be attending with
you. It is not necessary to attend all sessions but I think the experiences would
be very beneficial for all learners. (Please include the names of all participants
as well as a phone number.)

Feel free to call me with any questions of clarification.

Dr. Linda Figgins
630-319-7913

Free admission to the Museum of Science and Industry!

U-505 Submarine

I came across some amazing information at the blog of a Sonlight Rep turned bloggy friend of mine.

This information is taken straight from the Museum of Science and Industry’s website:

Home School Group Reservations

Individuals:
Individual families with fewer than 20 students receive free general admission on Monday through Friday except during holiday periods. Parents receive free general admission as well. No advance reservations are required; you will be asked to fill out a Free Admission slip at the ticket counter. No documentation is needed. Omnimax movies, Learning Labs and special exhibits like Smart Home: Green + Wired have additional fees and are not offered at a discounted rate for individuals. Check out our free day schedule.

Groups:
Illinois home school groups of 20 or more students receive free general admission and regular school group discounts for Omnimax movies and special exhibits. Click here for school group pricing. Advance reservations and payment are required. One chaperone is needed for every 10 students. Reserve your visit online or by calling (773) 684-1414.

Learning Labs

Individual:
Individual home school students can sign up for special Learning Labs. Advance payment of $10 per student is required. Call (773) 684-1414 to reserve a spot. Labs are limited to 20 students on a first-come, first-served basis. The next sessions are:

May 10, 2010 at 2 pm
Museum Crime Lab (ages 8 – 12)
ER/OR Lab (ages 12 – 16)

Group:
Home school groups may register for one of our regular Learning Labs offered during the school year from September to June. Labs have a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 30 students, and each lab is $100 for the entire group (or $120 for special labs). Reserve a group lab by making a field trip reservation online or by calling (773) 684-1414.

Lab Etiquette:
Meet at the Information Desk on Main Level 2 15 minutes before the start of the lab. Parents and siblings are encouraged to walk around the Museum during the program.

Arrival and Parking

Plan to arrive at the Museum at least 30 minutes before any scheduled program such as Learning Labs, Omnimax movies or ticketed exhibits. An individual or group who is registered for a Learning Lab must meet at the Information Desk on Main Level 2 15 minutes before the start of the lab. Convienient indoor parking is available in the Museum’s underground parking garage.

Home School Policies

Download a PDF of our Home School Policies.

Tips for Your Visit

Make a pre-visit: If possible, visit the Museum before bringing your group to familiarize yourself with the building and the exhibits.

Take part in our live science experiences: From dissecting an eyeball to taking part in a discussion about climate change, our daily live science experiences make students part of the action. These programs are offered at no additional cost.

Make lunch plans: Pre-registered home school groups (of 20 or more) may reserve a lunch time in the student cafeteria. Other groups are invited to eat in the Brain Food Court.

Set expectations: The Museum offers 14 acres of exhibit space to explore. Set realistic expectations for how much your group can accomplish and what you want your group to learn. Our exhibits are designed to spark interest and engage the visitor. Rushing to see the entire Museum in one trip can be a frustrating experience. Use our map or visit planning tool to decide what to see and do, and check out our field trip worksheets and exhibit guides to focus your visit.

Contact Us

For field trips, call (773) 684-1414.  For other education inquiries, email edinfo(at)msichicago.org.