Museum of Science and Industry

Programs and Events: Week of Monday, February 23

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23

10 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.
Earth Revealed Show (General audience)
Get an up-close view of planet Earth on an animated globe suspended from the ceiling. Images projected onto the sphere show data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, so you can see the Earth’s atmosphere, ocean currents, storm formation and temperature changes. Learn about carbon dioxide in our atmosphere and what it has to do with you, our environment and global warming.

10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Children’s Film: “Respect Yo’ Mama: Here Comes Mr. Recycle Man!”  (Ages 7 – 12)
This energy-filled film uses a colorful cast and rhythmic soundtrack to teach the importance of respecting and protecting Mother Earth. The film demonstrates the recycling process and illustrates how it effects the environment.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24

10 a.m.
Earth Revealed Show (General audience)
See previous description under February 23.

10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
Workshop: Indigo and Paint-Making (Ages 4 – 11)
Did you know you could make paint from rocks or that the blue dye in your denim jeans comes from indigo?  In this workshop, you will actually get your “hands dirty” with do-it-yourself indigo made from indigo powder and other natural products. Participants will leave with their own tie-dyed handkerchief. This workshop is taught by Senorities Bracey, an innovative early childcare educator.

10:15 a.m. and 11:45 a.m.
Workshop: Renewable Energy (Grades 6 – 10)
See the next generation of energy! Students learn how energy resources are currently used and what renewable energy possibilities exist. They will build and test their own model cars and discover how hydrogen fuel cells work. Capacity: 30 students. Duration: 65 minutes.

10:15 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Children’s Film: “Respect Yo Mama: Here Comes Mr. Recycle Man!” (Ages 7 – 12)
See previous description under February 23.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25

10 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Workshop: Window-Box Gardening and Composting 101 (Grades 5 – 8)
With the rising cost of food, many people are opting to grow their own produce in their backyards, porches, terraces and window sills. Come learn the basics of window-box gardening and composting—a technique for recycling plant and vegetable waste that enriches our soil and other plant life.

10:15 a.m.
Earth Revealed Show (General audience)
See previous description under February 23.

10:15 a.m. and 11:45 a.m.
Workshop: Renewable Energy (Grades 6 – 10)
See previous description under February 24.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26

10 a.m.
Workshop: Recycled Paper-Making (Ages 5 – 12)
Did you know that each year, thousands of trees are cut down to make the paper we use for work and school? Unfortunately, much of the paper we use ends up in the landfill. This activity uses art and science and everyday products to make colorful new paper. This workshop is taught by Museum educator, Ruth Goehmann.

Ongoing from 10 a.m. – noon
Drop-in Activity: Wind Turbine (Grades 4 – 7)
Do you know what a wind turbine is? Maybe not, but they may very well be the energy wave of the future! Living in the “Windy City,” we all know how powerful the wind can be. This hands-on activity will show you how to make a do-it-yourself wind turbine—a device that transforms wind energy into electrical energy.

11 a.m.
Children’s Film: “Respect Yo Mama, Here Comes Mr. Recycle Man!” (Ages 7 – 12)
See previous description under February 23.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27

Ongoing from 10 a.m. – noon
Drop-in Activity: Wind Turbine (Grades 4 – 7)
See previous description under February 26.

10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Showcase of Chicago Public School Students’ Green Science Projects (High school students)
The Museum of Science and Industry is proud to showcase the innovative “green” science projects from several local schools. Students will be on hand to discuss their experiments and findings.

10:15 a.m.
Earth Revealed Show (General audience)
See previous description under February 23.

10:15 a.m. and 11:45 a.m.
Workshop: Renewable Energy (Grades 6 – 10)
See previous description under February 24.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28

9:45 – 11:30 a.m.
Mini-course: The Eight Principles of Green Village-Building (General audience)
You’ll learn everything you need to know about the “Green Revolution” and how it impacts your life and community in this workshop developed by BIG (Blacks in Green). Learn about sustainability and carbon footprinting and how we can all use “green” concepts to improve our communities and way of life. This workshop is a shortened version of a four-week program taught by Naomi Davis, who sits at the vanguard of African-American green initiatives in Chicago and serves as president and founder of BIG.

10 a.m. – noon
Workshop: Keep Chicago Beautiful Educator Certification (Adults)
Parents, educators and college students will take part in a hands-on workshop that will demonstrate several techniques for teaching children about the environment, recycling and other green issues. Chicago Public School teachers can learn 3 CPDUs.

Ongoing from 10 a.m. – noon
Drop-in Activity: Wind Turbine (Grades 4 – 7)
See previous description under February 26.

10:15 a.m. and 11:45 a.m.
Workshop: Renewable Energy (Grades 6 – 10)
See previous description under February 24.

11 a.m.
Children’s Film: “Respect Yo Mama: Here Comes Mr. Recycle Man!” (Ages 7 – 12)
See previous description under February 23.

1 – 3 p.m.
Panel Discussion: Green Living and Black Health (General audience)
What does it mean to adopt a green lifestyle? Does being green mean being a vegetarian? How can implementing green techniques into our daily regimens help our physical well-being? This panel features health professionals and public health educators who will demystify green living and explain correlations between green living and black health. Speakers include Dr. Jifunza Wright and Joseph Harrington from City of Chicago Department of Public Health and TaNasiha Lee from the City of Chicago’s Department of the Environment.

3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Black Creativity Green Field Trip (General audience)
Hop aboard a coach bus and join us on a trip to two amazing places right here in the city: the Hybrid House in North Kenwood and the City of Chicago Center for Green Technology. Come hear how one couple turned their green mission into a chic, sustainable home on the south side. You’ll also learn tips for making your home a bit greener at the city’s first-of-its-kind green municipal building and the location of the Center for Green Technology.  To RSVP, please call (773) 684-1414.

More Events:

Week of Feb. 2
Week of Feb. 9
Week of Feb. 16
Week of Feb. 23

To make school or tour group reservations for Black Creativity programs and events, please call the Museum at (773) 753-7053.