Educate >Plan a Field Trip >Focused Field Trips

Focused Field Trips

During this 90-minute experience, children first spend 45 minutes in a hands-on workshop led by a Museum Education Specialist, followed by 45 minutes of free exploration of our 17 interactive exhibits. All exhibits and workshops are carefully designed to meet the developmental needs of children from birth to age 8, and are aligned to Common Core State Standards and Illinois Early Learning & Development Standards.

Focused Field Trips Include:

  • 15-minute orientation
  • 45-minute guided workshop conducted by a Museum Education Specialist
  • 45 minutes of Museum exploration
  • Pre- and post-visit extension materials
  • Option to utilize lunch room for 1⁄2 hour (must be reserved in advance)

Fee: $10 per child

Minimum group size is 16. Maximum group size for a single workshop is 25; multiple workshops may be booked for larger groups.

Download the Focused Field Trip Workshop Reference Sheet

Field Trip Reservations
Please download and fill out our reservation form for a Field Trip at your location, or a reservation form for a Field Trip at the Museum.

Workshop Topics

Animal Adaptations
Discover how animals adapt to their environment.
Animals As Architects
Explore, compare, contrast and construct human homes/shelters versus animal homes/ shelters.
Artistic Expressions
Investigate and learn about various media by creating three-dimensional works of art.
Build It!
Experiment and test the wind-resistance of building materials.
Energy Around Us
Discover how wind can be used as a source of energy through experimentation.
Gardeners Get Growing!
Understanding how food, health and the environment are connected.
H20 Art
Explore the properties of water, color, shape and texture through the creation of “water art.”
Measuring Our World!
All measurement involves comparison. To be accurate, measurement must be “fair.”
Re-Use It
Explore methods to reduce and reuse garbage.
Scientific Experimenters
Experiment and explore various tools that are used by scientists.
Sensational Senses
Discover how the five senses help people learn about their world.
Simple Machines
Discover how simple machines work to make our everyday lives easier.
Vibration Explorations
Explore, design, build and test musical instruments to discover how sound is created.
Water Investigations
Investigate various tools and methods to move water.