Museum of Science and Industry

Programs and Events: Week of Monday, February 9

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9

10:15 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.

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.

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 10

10 a.m.
Career Bowl (Ages 9 – 17)
The Career Bowl is a contest in a word-game format that introduces students to career options in the green economy, including biofuel, renewable energy, green innovation and product development, as well as organic agriculture.

10 a.m. and 11 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.

10:30 a.m. and 11:30 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.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11

10 a.m.
Career Bowl (Ages 9 – 17)
See previous description under February 10.

10 a.m.
Earth Revealed Show (General audience)
See previous description under February 9.

10 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Workshop: Functional Art-Making with Found Objects (Ages 7 –12)
Everyone knows recycling is great for the environment, but did you know recycled objects make great art materials? Found objects, or recycled objects, have been used in sculptures, three-dimensional paintings and set designs. Dr. Charles Smith, an acclaimed folk artist, will lead students in a hands-on activity using found objects to create eye-catching garbage receptacles. This workshop was developed by BIG (Blacks in Green).

10 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Workshop: Window-Box Gardening and Composting 101 (Grades 5 – 8)
See previous description under February 10.

10 a.m.
Film: “An Inconvenient Truth” (Ages 9 – adult)
The Sundance Film Festival hit, “An Inconvenient Truth” chronicles former Vice President Al Gore’s journey to understanding environmental issues.  Audiences will be immersed in his crusade to educate the world about the danger humanity faces within the next 10 years if we don’t respond individually and collectively to the global warming crisis.

11 a.m.
Student Lecture: Big World, Small Steps, Great Impact (Grades 3 – 6)
Terms like “green,” sustainability and global warming loom large in conversations about the environment these days, but what do they really mean? Johari Cole is a local farmer and environmental educator who explains the terms and provides simple tips that students and their families can do to help our environment.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12

10 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.
Earth Revealed Show (General audience)
See previous description under February 9.

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)
See previous description under February 9.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13

10 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.
Earth Revealed Show (General audience)
See previous description under February 9.

10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Children’s Film: “Eco Rap: Voices from the Hood” (Grades 7 – 12)
This film uses an “ecology in your face” model for exploring ecological issues from a cacophony of multi-ethnic young voices rapping about environmental waste and hazards.  Features rappers A. K. Black, Young Lou, T-Stone, She She, Watus and others.

6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
After-Hours Mixers with Green Scholars and Activists (Adults)
Come visit the Black Creativity exhibit, enjoy complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeurves, and learn how African-American green revolutionaries are using their professional backgrounds to help save the planet!  You’ll meet two of Howard University’s researchers, Dr. Kimberly Jones and Dr. Charles Glass, and Dr. Majora Carter, a MacArthur “genius” and green activist.  They will discuss their educational and professional experience in the areas of engineering, eco-centric scholarship and green activism.  R.S.V.P. required, please call (773) 753-7053.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14

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.
Workshop: Functional Art-Making with Found Objects (Ages 7 – 12)
See previous description under February 11.

Ongoing from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Drop-in Activity: 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.

11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Panel Discussion: Green Research: A Look at Eco-centric Scholarship at Howard University (General audience)
Two of Howard University’s African-American researchers, Dr. Kimberly Jones and Dr. Charles Glass, will discuss the cutting-edge, eco-centric research being conducted at one of the nation’s Historically Black Universities. Jones and Glass will discuss their own work and vision for how their research will benefit the environment and humanity in the years to come.

2 p.m.
Panel Discussion: Green Empowerment and Sustainable Initiatives (General audience)
How will African Americans fare in the green economy? Which African Americans have parlayed their commitment to environmental justice into lucrative careers? Is it possible to earn the “green” while being green? This symposium will address these and other important questions. Panelists include green activists who run non-profit organizations, teach college courses and study environmental science.  Also featured are public officials who are working to prioritize the importance of the environment to and for their constituents, as well as make sure that the new green economy offers opportunities for all people, in particular, people of color. Dr. Majora Carter will discuss her work at Sustainable South Bronx and her mission to empower underserved populations.

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.