Teacher Courses
Gain science content and teaching strategies directly relevant to your classroom curriculum through the Museum’s science teacher education courses.
Boost Your Science Teaching
Our teacher courses provide a broad background in science, are designed in accordance with Illinois and national science education standards, and complement Museum exhibits and resources. You’ll increase your knowledge of science, improve teaching skills and return to the classroom with new ideas and resources to make science engaging. See a sample agenda and lesson plan.
Courses target 4th- through 8th-grade educators with limited experience teaching science and are offered at no cost to teachers selected to participate. Participants receive lesson plans and materials to replicate activities back in the classroom. Teachers in the academic year courses also receive a free field trip which includes funding for a bus and a Learning Lab program. To participate, teachers must apply and be selected to enroll. Applications are accepted in the spring and late summer.
Graduate Credit
You can earn graduate credit for MSI courses at Valparaiso University or the Illinois Institute of Technology.
Our Course Offerings
All About You (life science)
Offered during summer 2013 for three credits and the 2013-14 academic year for six credits.
Investigate the human body through activities on body systems, genetics, tissues and cells, and medical technology.
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Expedition: Green (environmental science)
Offered during summer 2013 for three credits and the 2013-14 academic year for six credits.
Explore ecology, ecosystems, resource management and sustainability issues in Chicago.
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Get Re-Energized (physical science)
Experiment with concepts related to energy such as energy transformation and conversion, potential and kinetic energy, light, heat, electricity and more.
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Great Lakes Rocks (Earth systems science)
Explore the interconnected systems of Earth and learn how climate has changed and continues to change through time.
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CASE
The Center aims to inspire the next generation of inventors and innovators with programs that empower teachers, engage the community and excite students.
- 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
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Habitat Overcrowding
See what happens when plants compete for survival in an area with limited resources.
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Straw Bridges
Tap into your inner engineer as you design, build and test model bridges.
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What Goes Around
Create a traveling circulatory system to learn how blood flow and nutrient exchange happens.
Video
Learn how MSI is transforming lives through science education.