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Now that we know Chicago is a popular travel destination , we need to add education into our Chicano travel itinerary. My kids love to learn on vacation (I’m serious) but the key to adding education is do integrate in into your other fun-filled family attractions.
Chicago is a city filled with museums, traveling exhibits and miles of galleries, but that doesn’t mean that all of it appeals to teens. When it comes to teenagers, museum galleries need to be interactive, interesting and attention grabbing for them. There are several science museums in the city of Chicago, and thankfully, several of them cater to the interests and attention spans of teens. These are the best science museums in Chicago for teens, but keep your eyes open for new and visiting science exhibits that make their way through the city throughout the year.
Field Museum
The Field Museum of Chicago is the city’s natural history museum, which means it houses a wide variety of scientific, historic and cultural exhibits. Teens that are interested in any serious scientific areas of study will find an impressive collection of just about every and any area of science within the Field. Permanent exhibits include one of the biggest meteorite collections, including recent falls, Sue the T-Rex and a working research lab that visitors can observe, and Evolving Planet, a journey that takes you through the life of the Earth.
Traveling exhibits are always changing, but include an interesting combination of science and nature so check back during your planned visit. Museum programming for teens gives them access to areas of the museum regular guests don’t get in order to help them with focused learning investigations.
Museum of Science and Industry
Chicago’s dedicated science museum, the Museum of Science and Industry, covers just about every area of science imaginable through permanent and rotating exhibits. Teens will be especially interested in Science Storms, which gives teens a real life look at storms and the forces that create them. the U-505 submarine that guest are allowed to board, the underground coal mine complete with working coal mining elevator, train and machines, and the Henry Crown Space Center where they can learn about the history and future of space exploration.
Teens can take a break and catch an IMAX video or stroll through any of the several dozen hands on exhibits that peak their interest, but when there is this much to see it really can be a non-stop day of fun.
The Adler Planetarium
The Adler Planetarium in Chicago was the first planetarium in the country, and they are especially great at creating programming for their teen guests. Anyone that is at all interested in the Universe and space exploration will want to make a special stop at Adler. The museum takes teens on a journey through our solar system to the Universe, revealing hidden wonders and allowing them to rediscover old ones, like the moon.
Astronomy is highly encouraged and there is even a dedicated team of teens that mans the museum’s public viewing telescope that guests can take a tour of and then view for themselves. The Adler’s many theaters gives guests the chance to experience our night sky in all its glory and catch current films about space exploration and discovery.
International Museum of Surgical Science
For something completely different and unique, check out a little known Chicago Museum, the International Museum of Surgical Science. Housed in one of Chicago’s historic house museums, the mansion is a mix of fascinating and who’d of guessed it exhibits and collections.
Teens can walk through the changing practices and methods of surgery that were used throughout history and presented through artifacts, documentation and art. Surgical science is actually very interesting once you begin to understand how little discoveries and realizations by so many individual men and women have changed the field and make modern surgery possible.
Are you or a family member a science lover? Would your family be interested in visiting any of the attractions listed above?
[…] of my readers have asked about having a Girl’s (Mom & Daughter) Weekend in Chicago. I have many friends who have flown out with their tween or teen and set out for the Windy City. […]