For Educators
The Nature Museum’s education programs reach over 400 classrooms and 150 schools each year with locally relevant science by leveraging the museum’s current, real-world science.
The Nature Museum’s education programs reach over 400 classrooms and 150 schools each year with locally relevant science by leveraging the museum’s current, real-world science—including preserved specimens, live animals, and our scientists’ conservation work.
Through in- and out-of-school time opportunities for students and teachers throughout Chicago, museum educators make a lasting impact through whole-child learning approaches that build knowledge, skills, interest, and enthusiasm for STEM topics. Education programs are founded in a student-driven and inquiry-based approach to connecting our audiences to authentically interdisciplinary nature and science phenomena. These approaches are founded in cooperative learning models that support positive social and emotional learning and building STEM identities.
From Pre-K to High School, the Nature Museum is the perfect field trip destination.
Student Focused
One-Time Program
From the Deb Lahey Nature Trails outside to more than 30,000 square feet of exhibit space inside, our unique mix of collections engages visitors of all ages for the perfect group visit experience!
Student Focused
One-Time Program
Learn more about local pollination ecology, monarch butterfly conservation, and the biology behind this iconic insect!
At Your School
Extended Program
Experience the Nature Museum up close from your very own classroom or schoolyard!
Student Focused
One-Time Program
Is your group interested in learning about and practicing how to best engage and support students’ nature and science learning?
Caregiver Focused
One-Time Program
Foster a school-wide culture of science teaching and learning—in every grade, throughout the year—with a School Science Partnership.
Educator Focused
Extended Program
School-Wide Program
Looking for an exciting and engaging way to upgrade your out-of-school time programming?
At Your School
Extended Program
Student Focused
Build your supportive classroom learning community around the wonder of relevant, observable science.
Student Focused
Educator Focused
Extended Program
Partner with Nature Museum educators and scientists to incorporate real-world science, authentic learning opportunities, and unique resources into your classroom instruction.
Extended Program
Educator Focused
The Nature Museum offers a variety of workshops for active scout groups which utilize the Museum’s collections and outdoor exhibitions.
Student Focused
One-Time Program
Teacher Leadership Center Loan Program
The Teacher Leadership Center (TLC) is a hub for educators to collaborate, communicate, and nurture student-centered learning.
One-Time Program
Classroom Resources
Teacher Professional Development
Supports include: Museum educator modeling of science teaching best practices, standards aligned curriculum, and interactive training workshops.
At Your School
Educator Focused
One-Time Program
Teenagers Exploring and Explaining Nature and Science (TEENS) is an out-of-school time program for Chicago high school students.
At The Museum
Student Focused
Extended Program
Virtual Field Trips & Workshops
Enhance your school’s teaching and learning with a virtual field trip to the Nature Museum that includes a live interactive workshop centered around unique museum resources!
Student Focused
One-Time Program
Experience nature and science up close with a trip to the Nature Museum.