Educator Resources
We'll help you get your students excited about science with workshops, materials and more.
Institute for Quality Science Teaching and Learning
Our science teacher education courses provide you with ideas, resources and lesson plans to bring science to life for your students. You can even earn graduate credit through our partnerships with Illinois Institute of Technology and Valparaiso University.
- Forensic Field Day
- Bring your high school students to this immersive, daylong event on Nov. 30 where they'll explore forensics and learn from real investigators.
- Educator Open House NEW DATE!
- We've rescheduled this event to Oct. 22. Explore exhibits and learn about education programs at our annual free evening event just for educators.
- Teacher Workshops
- These half- to full-day sessions on a variety of science topics are linked to your classroom curriculum.
- Learning Lab Scholarship Program
- We offer free hands-on Learning Labs to economically disadvantaged Illinois schools.
- Field Trip Activity Sheets
- These hands-on activities can be used before, during and after your Museum visit so you can link to your classroom curriculum.
- Summer Brain Games
- Bring science to life all year long with these hands-on experiments for kids of all ages.
- Science Minors Clubs
- See how you can join our network of after-school Science Minors Clubs for 8- to 13-year-olds.
- Classroom Activities
- Our free hands-on activities are aligned to classroom curriculum and will help you get your students excited about science.
- Bus Scholarship Program
- We offer free bus transportation to economically disadvantaged schools in the Chicago Public Schools system and Lake County, Ill.
Featured Classroom Activities
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- Extract DNA
- You'll see that DNA is in all living things ... even strawberries!
- 4th - 8th Grade
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- Three Colors of Light
- See what happens when you mix together the three primary colors of light.
- 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.
Video
Learn how MSI is transforming lives through science education.
- Happening Now
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Animal Inside Out
A stunning look inside the animal kingdom from the creators of BODY WORLDS.
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Space Junk
A visually stunning exploration of our planet's perilous ring of orbiting debris.
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Air Racers
Ride along as elite pilots fight for position, wingtip-to-wingtip, in the fastest motor sport.
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- Coming Soon
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Inventive Genius Lecture: Empires of Light
Jill Jonnes discusses the electric clashes between Edison, Tesla and Westinghouse.
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The Wooded Isle and Gardens of the World's Fair
Cathy Maloney discusses the gardens of the World's Fairs and tours the Wooded Isle.
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The Wooded Isle and Gardens of the World's Fair
Cathy Maloney returns to discuss World's Fair gardens and tour the Wooded Isle.
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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.
msi blog
Bone up on some of the latest science news.