Plan a field trip to the DNA Discovery Center and try out classroom and field trip activities from the Educator Guide, take part in student programs, and check out accompanying Harris Educational Loan Materials for an in-depth exploration of DNA!

Pre-registration is required for students to visit this new exhibition. Field trips to the Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice DNA Discovery Center are FREE for Chicago schools with pre-registration, $4 for Illinois schools outside of Chicago with pre-registration, and $12.50 for schools outside of Illinois.

For more information on our student classes and educator programs, please call 312.665.7500 or register here.

Educator Resources
To prepare students for their trip, take advantage of the activities and information provided in the DNA Discovery Center Educator Guide (PDF format*, 42pp, 4.7 mb)

Educator Programs

Educator Workshop: Discovering the Tree of Life (Grades 9-12)
From tulips to tyrannosaurs, all organisms are connected through the process of evolution. Explore life’s family tree with Field Museum scientists and see how the ancestry of every living thing—including humans—can be traced back four billion years to the origin of life on Earth. Learn how scientists classify organisms and hypothesize about evolutionary relationships, and model hands-on activities that can be used in the classroom. Boxed dinner included. Earn 3 CPDUs.
$20, $14 members
Tuesday, May 6 from 5-8pm
Pre-registration required.
Call 312.665.7400 to register for this program.

Student Classes

Understanding Heredity
Working in a team research setting, students will use punnett squares and other devices to gain a better understanding of the basic principles of genetics. Participants will explore issues of inheritance, probability, alleles, and heterozygous and homozygous traits, among others.
For Grades 6-8
Pre-registration required.
Available Fall 2008
Call 312.665.7400 to register for this program.

Soil Adventure Mobile: Gene Expression and Its Implications
Students will understand methods of gene expression as well as gain insight into current research practices and studies concerning the function of DNA and RNA. Participants will learn the steps involved in DNA sequencing and have an opportunity to extract DNA through an in-class activity. For Grades 9-12
Pre-registration required.
Available Fall 2008
Call 312.665.7400 to register for this program.

Harris Education Loan Center

New! DNA Discovery Kit
DNA is the molecule that connects all living things on earth. Students will be introduced to DNA concepts through hands-on models and sequencing simulations, as well as reading and audiovisual materials. The kit will also include brief biographies of Field Museum scientists who use DNA in their research.

Available in May

Check out Harris Educational Loan Center materials related to DNA! Visit Harris Loan website or call 312.665.7555 to find out how.


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