Learning Labs
Learning Labs are facilitated, focused, hands-on learning experiences for school groups. They are multi-disciplinary and aligned with Illinois Learning Standards.
Students in the Museum Crime Lab complete an activity. Learning Lab Guides provide vocabulary, pre- and post-visit activities and additional resources to enhance each lab.
- Labs are about 60 minutes long (Advanced Forensics and Life Begins are 75 minutes)
- Cost is $90 per lab
- Capacity is 30 students
- Offered Monday - Thursday at 10:15am and 11:45am (Life Begins is only on Tuesdays)
Featured labs
Learning Lab
- Museum Crime Lab
- Students solve a crime at the Museum using fingerprint analysis, chromatography, white powder analysis and microscopy techniques.
- 4th-8th grade
Learning Lab
- Renewable Energy
- Students explore new technology like hydrogen fuel cell cars and discover how some of the latest renewable energy resources work.
- 6th-10th grade
Learning Lab
- Simple Machines
- Students learn about the energy and work behind simple machines by competing in a challenge using pulleys, levers, inclined planes and more.
- 3rd-6th grade
Other labs
Learning Lab
- Advanced Forensics
- Students use hands-on forensic science techniques and analyze DNA, bullets, blood spatter and trace evidence to solve a crime.
- 8th-12th grade
Learning Lab
- City Science
- Students learn about the basics of structural design as they design, build, and test skyscrapers and explore potential careers.
- 4th -8th grade
Learning Lab
- Life Begins: Puberty, Reproduction & Prenatal Development
- A trained health educator provides an overview of reproduction, fetal development and the birth process. Tuesdays only.
- 5th grade
Learning Lab
- Submarine Math
- Students use the U-505 to investigate mathematical topics such as estimation and unit conversion through problem-solving activities.
- 4th -7th grade
Learning Lab
- Submarine Science
- Students participate in demonstrations, hands-on activities and guided exhibit exploration as they explore the science behind the U-505.
- 4th -7th grade
Learning Lab
- Testing the Waters
- Students explore the watershed and use environmental science methods to determine the quality of Chicago-area water samples.
- 4th -8th grade
- Happening Now
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Smart Home: Green + Wired
Learn how to make green living and eco-friendly technology part of your life.
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The Glass Experience
The science, technology, brilliance and beauty behind glass is revealed in this stunning exhibition.
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Exploring the Collection: Photographs by Terry Evans
Terry Evans explores some of Chicago’s hidden treasures—found in the Museum's collection.
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- Coming Soon
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The Plan of Chicago
Professor Carl Smith presents a lecture on the Burnham Plan and architect Daniel Burnham.
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New Online Activities
- Online Activity
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Build a Lever
See how simple machines like a lever can help us do work.