A visit to the Museum of Science and Industry is an exciting proposition for both students and teachers alike. But the idea of connecting the potential chaos of a field trip to what is being taught in the classroom can be a bit daunting.

m.Stories is a set of tools and activities that gives educators the ability to organize their visit to the Museum and tie experiences directly to the classroom, while offering students a fun and personalized way to interact with the Museum’s exhibits.

m.Stories offers a structured activity that helps students record what they’re observing, better understand it, and connect it to their own lives. This personal connection can make their Museum experience more meaningful.

m.Stories offers a three-part exploration that begins in the classroom, continues at the Museum and concludes back in the classroom. m.Stories can also be customized based on your individual needs.


m.Log Assembly The project begins in the classroom, before the Field Trip. Using the downloaded PDF printouts, students cut out and assemble their m.Logs, the small booklets that will accompany them on their visit to the Museum.

At the Museum During the field trip, students use their m.Logs to catalog any important experiences, thoughts and comments they might have while viewing the various exhibits. It is important to encourage students to not only record what they see and learn, but to also focus on how they feel, what they are reminded of, and what they’ve discovered.

Back in the Classroom The students are now ready to assemble their m.Stories using their completed m.Logs and the blank m.Pages. First, students review the entries in their m.logs. Then the students decide which m.pages will help them best tell the story of their Museum experience.

Each m.page gives students numerous opportunities to reflect, react and discuss. Students begin by setting the scene for the particular experience. They can then report what they encounter, how they react and how they feel about what they’ve seen. Each m.page ends with space for the student to reveal what they’ve learned and then sets the stage for their next experience. Students can sum up their thoughts, feelings and experiences on the “Final Thoughts” m.page and can complete their m.Story by adding a personalized cover page.

After their book has been completed, they have not only an artifact from their field trip, but a personalized m.Story encompassing all of their thoughts, feelings and discoveries at the Museum.

So, you're going on a field trip!

A visit to the Museum of Science and Industry is an exciting proposition for both students and teachers alike. But the idea of connecting the potential chaos of a field trip to what is being taught in the classroom can be a bit daunting.

Enter m.Stories

m.Stories is a set of tools and activities that gives educators the ability to organize their visit to the Museum and tie experiences directly to the classroom, while offering students a fun and personalized way to interact with the Museum’s exhibits.

m.Stories offers a structured activity that helps students record what they’re observing, better understand it, and connect it to their own lives. This personal connection can make their Museum experience more meaningful.

m.Stories offers a three-part exploration that begins in the classroom, continues at the Museum and concludes back in the classroom. m.Stories can also be customized based on your individual needs.

m.Stories aligns with Illinois State Learning Goal 3 (Write to communicate for a variety of purposes) and Goal 5 (Use the language arts to acquire, assess and communicate information). Based on the exhibits you choose to visit, the project may also cover goals for Science (11, 12, 13), Social Science (16) or Physical Development and Health (22, 23).

Part 1 (20 minutes)

m.Log Assembly – The project begins in the classroom, before the Field Trip. Using the downloaded PDF printouts, students cut out and assemble their m.Logs, the small booklets that will accompany them on their visit to the Museum.

Part 2 (1-2 hours)

At the Museum – During the field trip, students use their m.Logs to catalog any important experiences, thoughts and comments they might have while viewing the various exhibits. It is important to encourage students to not only record what they see and learn, but to also focus on how they feel, what they are reminded of, and what they’ve discovered.

Part 3 (45 minutes)

Back in the Classroom – The students are now ready to assemble their m.Stories using their completed m.Logs and the blank m.Pages. First, students review the entries in their m.logs. Then the students decide which m.pages will help them best tell the story of their Museum experience.

Each m.page gives students numerous opportunities to reflect, react and discuss. Students begin by setting the scene for the particular experience. They can then report what they encounter, how they react and how they feel about what they’ve seen. Each m.page ends with space for the student to reveal what they’ve learned and then sets the stage for their next experience. Students can sum up their thoughts, feelings and experiences on the “Final Thoughts” m.page and can complete their m.Story by adding a personalized cover page.

After their book has been completed, they have not only an artifact from their field trip, but a personalized m.Story encompassing all of their thoughts, feelings and discoveries at the Museum.