The Largest Science Center in the Western Hemisphere
The Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago—one of the largest science museums in the world—is home to more than 400,000 square feet of hands-on exhibits designed to spark scientific inquiry and creativity.
It was a moment of inspiration during a family vacation nearly a century ago. Watching his child enthralled by an interactive museum display, our founder Julius Rosenwald resolved to share that experience with Chicago. Since opening in 1933, the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago has been dedicated to inspiring the inventive genius in everyone with uniquely interactive experiences. We've hosted more than 180 million guests—or about a billion moments like the one that started it all.
Today, MSI is the largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere, but also works to provide these moments of discovery beyond our walls. Through our Welcome to Science Initiative, we create learning experiences inside and outside the classroom and remove barriers that exclude youth from participating with programs for teachers, schools, families and communities. Together, these are the ways MSI brings science to life for children and adults of all ages, all while pursuing our larger vision: To inspire and motivate children to achieve their full potential in science,technology, medicine and engineering.
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Everyone knows that 2️⃣3️⃣ is prime. 🐐🏀 Get close to history to see game-worn and autographed gear on your way to a screening of Michael Jordan to the Max, playing in the Giant Dome Theater through April 16!
Add a showing onto your Museum Entry at msichicago.org/tickets
Memorabilia courtesy of Chicago Bulls
Happy ! May your celebrations be infinite and your slices be irrational. 🥧🎉
The world of mathematics is infinite and beautifully complex. Whether you're a math enthusiast or just enjoy a good slice, take a moment to appreciate the amazing constant that is Pi.
If you need us today, we’ll be napping. 😴 🛌 💤
Illinois has more than 2,000 native plant species, including the Indian Paintbrush, Prairie Onion, & White Yarrow!
Celebrate this by getting your hands dirty and adding some beauty to the world (and habitat for wildlife!) 🌼 🌷 🌻
Happy St. Patrick's celebration weekend, everyone! 🍀🌈🎉 Today, Chicago gets into the festive spirit by dyeing the river green. But did you know there's science behind this tradition?
The recipe is a closely guarded secret –but we know it starts with a vegetable-based powder nicknamed "Leprechaun Dust." Surprisingly, the powder is orange! When mixed with water, the powder dissolves, and the reaction creates a vibrant emerald hue. 💚
The tradition started by chance in the 1960s in efforts to clean the river. The dye was used to identify water pollution—the original formula used oil-based fluorescein, which was eventually determined to cause more harm than good. Today's version, used to intentionally create the green hue, is eco-friendly to protect the wildlife that calls the Chicago River home!
On river dyeing day, let's all appreciate the magic of science and enjoy the festive atmosphere! 🍀
📸: CC
is around the corner, and we're offering a discount of up to 10π (that's $31.41) off MSI Membership!
Perks include:
☕ free coffee
🎟️ free Giant Dome Theater tickets
⚛️ priceless memories
Use code: PIDAY314 by March 14, 2023, at 11:59pm.
🔗 msichicago.org/piday
Cheers to the women who inspire the inventive genius in everyone, every day! Here are some of the talented women making history at MSI. Happy ! 🌟 💚 💙
Ring, ring! ☎️ in 1876, Alexander Graham Bell was granted a patent for the telephone. Three days later, he made the first discernable speech over a telephone system to his assistant in another room, saying, “Mr. Watson, come here; I want to see you.”
The telephone has revolutionized the way we communicate with one another. You may even be reading this on a modern telecommunication device! 📱
📷: Courtesy National Archives, photo no. 302052
The Black Creativity Juried Art Winner for Third Place — BLACK MEN/WHITE SHIRTS, #1 (Grieving) by Candace Hunter.
Candace is a Southside Chicagoan who has also spent time in New York and Los Angeles. She says she has been “whispering” at MSI for 50 years!
Candace has always been artistic, and has done art professionally for an artist for two decades. She says she receives inspiration from the laughter of Black girls. When asked if she has advice for aspiring artists, she says, “Study, do, listen to your heart.”
The winning piece is the first in an on-going series honoring the labor and love of Black men.
“You can never be too creative for science. Art has proved useful in my ability to visually communicate my science to broad audiences,” Ahna Skop.
When cell division goes awry, cancer or birth defects can result. Skop and her team are figuring out the connection between the process of cell division and nerve degeneration, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
In school, she loved to apply her art to her science fair projects. For instance, she built a nuclear reactor out of clay and makes lifelike ceramic sculptures of organisms usually only visible with a microscope.
Check out our Women in Science display this to learn more about this generation’s female science superstars! The fascinating achievements and individual journeys of women innovating the field are showcased throughout the Museum.
When it calls for up to eight inches of snow. ❄️
Learning is fun, and the world is your playground! ✨
It's always time to explore in the Idea Factory, a laboratory where our youngest guests can make scientific investigations through play.
🔗 bit.ly/3ILNRdj
📷: babyeleanor2020| IG
📣March Illinois Resident Free Days!📣
Skip the line, reserve your spot ahead at msichicago.org/tickets.
**pricing applies at checkout**
John Wesley Gilbert was an educator, missionary, and is widely known as the first Black archaeologist!
He was one of the first fifty Americans to do professional archaeological work in Greece, and conducted a topographical survey of ancient Eretria that is still valuable today.🌋
Are you amazed by archaeology? 🔍
Come visit our new exhibit Pompeii: The Exhibition where there’s always more to discover about the past!
The Black Creativity Juried Art Winner for Second Place — “Lead By Example” by Adonte Clark.
According to Adonte, “‘Lead By Example’ is an idea to inspire others to be their best selves. And with that, understanding how their actions will impact the community around them.” He used the beach scene to illustrate generational impact.
Adonte is a self-taught artist from Toledo, Ohio. He discovered his love for drawing in early childhood and revisited his passion while pursuing a career in financial services.
About his art, he says, “I am attempting to narrate the journey of life. Sometimes through personal experience, or things I have observed and believe needs to be highlighted. A painting is the way to capture that moment in time.”
Travel back in time to the city forever preserved in our newest addition, Pompeii: The Exhibition! 🌋
Over 150 precious artifacts bring to life how people in the ancient Roman city lived, loved, worked, worshipped and found entertainment.
➡️msichicago.org/pompeii