Museum of Science and Industry

Educator's Compass

Use the Educator’s Compass map (PDF) to plan a field trip that ties Museum exhibits and content to your classroom curriculum and the Illinois Learning Standards.

m.Stories

m.Stories is a field trip exploration that educates and entertains. This writing activity asks students to note what they observe , understand what they're seeing and connect it to their lives, thus changing their Museum experience from passive observation to meaningful discovery.

Genetics—Decoding Life

This set of pre-, during and post-visit activities highlights the genetic similarities between animals and humans, and the science involved in cloning, mutations and genetic engineering.

• Download Exhibit Guide for Genetics - Decoding Life (PDF)

The following two downloads are special guides for teachers enrolled in the University of Chicago SESAME program.

• Download Exhibit Guide for SESAME Genetics part 1 (PDF)
• Download Exhibit Guide for SESAME Genetics part 2 (PDF)

The Great Train Story

This set of pre-, during and post-visit activities highlights the different needs for rail transportation among those who move raw materials (coal), manufactured goods (automobiles), crops (grain), and passengers.

• Download Exhibit Guide for The Great Train Story pages(PDF)

Flight

These sets of pre-, during and post-visit activities highlight the historical advancements that led to the first powered flight, as well as the physics involved in making vehicles airborne.

• Download Exhibit Guide for Flight History (PDF)

Physics

This set of pre-, during and post-visit activities links museum exhibits to the content matter covered by the University of Chicago SESAME Physics class for teachers in grades 4 - 8. Activities in this module strengthen student understanding of energy, flight, time keeping, and gears and pulleys.

• Download Exhibit Guide for Physics pages 1-23 (PDF)
• Download Exhibit Guide for Physics pages 24-46 (PDF)

(Documents are in Adobe PDF format)