While we’re temporarily closed, we’re dedicated to helping you and your young explorers make the most of your time at home! That’s why we’re happy to provide you with this new email series, dedicated to summery nature and science facts, activities, and a brand new video series, Curious By Nature! Check out the links below for past blasts and episodes of Curious By Nature, and then subscribe to the newsletter to receive more!
Additionally, follow the Nature Museum on our social media channels for a behind-the-scenes look as we continue taking care of our live animals and butterflies!
#NatureMuseum – Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
Virtual Visits & Online Classes
We’re excited to bring you all of our programs and activities that you love – from our famous Critter Connections, to creative art lessons, to outdoor explorations, and more – with our new series, Curious By Nature.
Wonder Workbooks
Explore nature and science, wherever you go! Get connected with our local plants, animals, and so much more with our new Wonder Workbooks series. Download the series today!
Wonder at Home
Explore our library of over 70 educational newsletters that we prepared as a way to help families make meaningful connections to nature and science during homeschooling and remote learning.
Curious By Nature – Activity Guides
It’s time for Curious By Nature!
We’re excited to announce our new series, Curious By Nature! Check out episode one, featuring local artist Katherine Lampert showing us how to find artistic inspiration in nature!
Originally published July 13, 2020
Hanging out with Kennicott the turtle!
Our pal Kennicott the box turtle is back for episode two of Curious By Nature! Learn all about what he eats, how he gets around, his shell, and more in today’s episode.
Originally published July 16, 2020
Are you curious about cockroaches?
Bug expert Allen is telling us all about cockroaches! Explore these amazing insects and learn the truth behind some cockroach rumors in today’s episode of Curious By Nature.
Originally published July 20, 2020
Let’s take a nature walk!
There’s so much to experience on a nature walk! Today’s episode of Curious By Nature features camp director Nicole taking us on a senses walk around North Pond.
Originally published July 23, 2020
You are an artist!
Today is all about celebrating your inner artist! We’re learning how to make our own natural ink with local artist Salim Moore in our new episode of Curious By Nature!
Originally published July 27, 2020
Let’s explore the Nature Museum grounds!
What’s growing on the grounds of the Nature Museum? Our plant expert, Seth, is taking us on a tour in today’s episode of Curious By Nature!
Originally published July 30, 2020
Making our own collections!
Start your own collection of flowers, grasses, and leaves! Check out today’s episode of Curious By Nature to learn how to press and mount plants from our senior director of collections, Dawn.
Originally published August 3, 2020
Make a nature kaleidoscope!
Local artist Katherine Lampert is back to show us another amazing nature-inspired craft! Learn how to make your own stand-up kaleidoscope in today’s episode of Curious By Nature.
Originally published August 6, 2020
Sssay hi to Cartman!
Marjorie has a very special guest for us to meet…it’s Cartman the corn snake! Learn all about snake senses in today’s episode of Curious By Nature.
Originally published August 10, 2020
Can a turtle come out of its shell?
Do snakes have bones? Dawn is answering these questions and more! Learn all about reptile skeletons in today’s episode of Curious By Nature.
Originally published August 13, 2020
Why are extinct species important?
Have you heard of the passenger pigeon? Or Carolina parakeet? Dawn is highlighting these extinct bird species, and comparing them to some species you might recognize, in today’s episode of Curious By Nature.
Originally published August 17, 2020
Preserving our past
A lot of work goes into preserving the specimens in our natural history collections. Get a look behind the scenes, with Dawn as your guide, in today’s episode of Curious By Nature.
Originally published August 20, 2020
Feeding our fish
What do fish eat? What do they need to have a healthy habitat? Find out with Marjorie in today’s episode of Curious By Nature.
Originally published August 24, 2020
Meet Bob the Blanding’s turtle
If you’ve been to the Nature Museum, you’ve probably seen the adorable smiling Blanding’s turtles. Get to know this species, and our special conservation work with them, in today’s episode of Curious By Nature.
Originally published August 24, 2020
Take a butterfly walk with Allen
There are so many different types of butterflies you can encounter around the Nature Museum! Bug expert Allen is highlighting some of these species, and telling us more about butterflies, in today’s episode of Curious By Nature.
Originally published August 31, 2020
Making butterflies with Katherine Lampert
Did you know that butterfly wings are symmetrical? Although there are some exceptions, most of the time a butterfly’s left wing is identical in color and pattern to its right wing. Our friend, artist Katherine Lampert, is back to make a butterfly craft based on this idea for our season finale episode of Curious By Nature.
Originally published September 3, 2020
Do you ever wonder how a butterfly gets its colors? Or how turtles hibernate? Do you wonder how birds know where to migrate each year? For over 160 years, the Chicago Academy of Sciences / Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum has served a unique role in the city of Chicago connecting children of all ages to nature and science through immersive exhibits, fun family events, important conservation research and in-depth education programs, inspiring the wonder in all of us.