Community Programs for everyone!  

2008 Schedule of Events

 

 

Museum of Science and Industry April 11 —  5:30p - 8p

World famous and respected MSI challenges and experiments designed for every age group! Multiple stations positioned throughout the Challenger Center offer unique and fun experiences!

 

Rocketry Night, Friday, April 4 —  6:00-8:30 p.m.

Prepare for an explosive evening at the Challenger Learning Center!  Each family will have the opportunity to build and launch a rocket.

 

Hot Air Balloons, Friday, May 6 —  6:00-8:30 p.m.

What’s the next best thing to flying in a hot air balloon? Why, making one of course! Families will work creatively together to design and build a hot air balloon out of tissue paper. At the end of the night, families will launch their balloons to see which has the longest flight time! 

 

 

Family Science Night Series

Join us for our Family Science Night Series the first Friday of every month during the school year.  These family programs focus on a different theme each month with activities that each family member will enjoy.  Pre-Registration is required for all Programs and Fees are non-refundable. Thank you.

 

Program Fee: $10 per person per program.  Includes pizza and pop.

Participants:  Ages 5+. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

 

Extreme Battle Bots     Friday, October 5 - 6:00-8:30 p.m.

It's our most popular program. Get your family together and work as a

team to design and construct a robot with a motor and other parts provided and prepare it for the battlefield.

 

Crime Lab Chemistry    Friday, November 2 - 6:00-8:30 p.m.

Families will work together to determine which of several black pens

was used to write a ransom note. Families will also explore the similarities and variations of fingerprints.

 

Amazing Races            Friday, December 7 - 6:00-8:30 p.m.

Come and join us for a night of fun building your own maze out of materials provided. Then compete against other families to see which

family can keep its marble in constant motion, while taking the longest

to get from start to finish.

 

Chemical Reactions, Friday, January 4 —  6:00-8:30 p.m.

Commander Windy is getting her chemistry set out again. Come and

join her as she tries not to blow the place up! Families will work together to perform some simple experiments.

 

Oobleck, Friday, February 1 —  6:00-8:30 p.m.

Your family will become scientists for the night while observing and investigating a strange green substance, Oobleck, said to come from another planet. The group will hold a scientific convention to discuss experimental findings and then build a spacecraft to land on an ocean of Oobleck. If you are looking for a great, hands-on experience that provides authentic insight into the real work of scientists, you won’t want to miss this one!

 

Starlab, Friday, March  7 —  6:00-8:30 p.m.

Come and join Diane Sipiera from the Planetary Studies Foundation for an evening of exploration in Starlab, a portable, inflatable planetarium that gives an accurate representation of the night sky.  Come view the sky, see the motion of the stars and the sun and view constellations. It’s out of this world!

 

 

Mad Science Programs at the Challenger

Spark your imagination with the staff from Mad Science of McHenry County! Join us for a new Saturday Morning Science Club and holiday break Superhero Science Camp. Both will be held at the Challenger Learning Center. To sign up for these Mad Science Programs, please register on their website at www.madforscience.com, call them at 815-444-1144 or fax the Mad Science registration form to 866-813-7257.

 

Mad Science Presents: The Saturday Morning Science Lab

Get off the couch and away from those cartoons...Join us for hands-on, minds-on science as we explore a different science topic each week! Whether it’s the science of structures (including making a giant geodome as a team project) or dissecting an owl pellet to see what was for dinner, kids will be challenged and amazed at how fun science can be! Each week, we’ll make a cool project that correlates with the class content.  Brought to you by Mad Science, the world leader in providing fun, hands-on science for kids.

 

Session #1:

October is SPOOKY SCIENCE month

Experiments deal with the creepy, crawly, slimy and just plain fun side of science.  Dates: Saturdays, October 13, 20 & 27 Time: 10:30—Noon

Program fee: $48.00 per child

Participants: Ages 6-12, Min 10/Max  25

 

Session #2:

November is CHEMISTRY month

Experiments will deal with the tools scientists use, and mixing all kinds of solutions for (sometimes) explosive fun!

Dates: Saturdays, November 3, 10 & 17

Time: 10:30—Noon

Program fee: $48.00 per child

Participants: Ages 6-12, Min 10/Max  25

 

Sign up for both sessions and receive a 15% discount on the program fee!

 

Mad science presents: superhero science camp            

Explore the inner-hero with fabulous science for superhero fans! Discover the amazing properties of Arachnidman, play with hydrophobic sand, create dazzling displays of light and much more! Each day features a fun take-home item plus a science comic book that campers create.

  

Dates : December 26, 27 & 28

Time: 10:00-11:30 a.m.

Program Fee: $63 per child

Participants:  Ages 6-12, Min 10/Max 25

 

Please note that pre-registration is required for all programs.  Program fees are non-refundable.

 

Visit us often to keep ahead and plan to bring the Challenger Learning Center into your explorer's life!