Educational Resources
The Field Museum has many student programs available for every age group. To learn more about educator workshops, student internships, and other opportunities, please see our Educator Programs. For information on events and activities for families, please visit our Family Programs page.
FOR EDUCATORS & PARENTS
N.W. Harris Learning Center
Specimens and artifacts from the N. W. Harris Learning Collection at The Field Museum gives educators and parents the chance to take the Museum's collection to their classroom or home. With over 400 unique Exhibit Cases (mini-dioramas) and 70 Experience Boxes (hands-on kits) your options are endless! Take a look at just a few of the Exhibition & Experience boxes you can enjoy below:
How Seeds Travel Experience Box
Grade Level: Early Elementary, Elementary, Middle School
Not all plants are seed-bearing plants, but today, both seeds and spores are dispersed, through wind, water, and animals, far from the parent plant so that the offspring does not have to compete with the parent for light, water, and nutrients. Explore a collection of diverse seeds alongside a selection of mounts illustrating the growth and development of plants.
FOR TEENS
TeensTakeTheField
TakeTheField is a series of programs at The Field Museum in collaboration with The Pearson Foundation's New Learning Institute that allows teens to go behind the scenes and interact with scientists, designers, researchers and other teen volunteers. Teens get to hear firsthand accounts of what it’s like to roam the plains of Africa and tromp through the forests of South America. In addition, they observe the process of designing an exhibit from scratch and watch interactive pieces being built.
STUDENT PROGRAMS
Engage your students in hands-on investigations and
immersive experiences at the Museum or your school
by booking a student program! Cost is $4.50 per
student. Maximum of 35 students per program. Student
programs at the Museum are available Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10am–12:30pm, including 30 minutes for lunch.
For a complete listing and details about preparing for and scheduling student field trips, please view our Field Trip Programs page, where you can download our Student & Educator Program Catalog or sign up for field trips via our Illinois Online Registration Form or Out-of-State Online Registration Form.
GRADES PRE-K - 2
The Crown Family PlayLab: Soil Adventure
Designed for children ages 2-6, the Crown Family Playlab offers endless opportunities for young visitors to express themselves, make their own
discoveries, and be a scientist for a day. In the Soil Adventure experience, children will explore soils and the critters that play an important role in our underground ecosystem. Programs at the Museum include a guided visit to the Underground Adventure exhibition. 
- Supports NGSS 2-LS4-1
- To visit the PlayLab, all student groups must pre-register. Walk-ins are not allowed.
- Program is free for pre-registration groups.
- PlayLab programs are available Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 10am or 11am, October 1-May 30. Cost is $2.50 per student, unless otherwise noted.
- Maximum of 35 students per program. .
The Crown Family PlayLab is generously sponsored by the Crown family.
GRADES 6 - 12
Mapping the Tree of Life Using DNA
Investigate how DNA analysis has changed our understanding of the relatedness of life on Earth. Extract DNA in a lab and interview scientists in the DNA Discovery Center exhibition.
- Supports NGSS MS-LS4-2.
