In this two-day, interdisciplinary session, explore how fossils – and art! – hold clues for interpreting the past.

Join us at the Field Museum on Wednesday, July 8 from 9am-12pm and Thursday, July 9 from 8-10am for this year&rsquo;s exciting two-day Summer Institute &ndash; Interpreting Prehistoric Worlds: Fossils, Art, and Inquiry.
In this two-day, interdisciplinary session, educators will explore how fossils hold clues for interpreting the past.
We will engage in inquiry with fossils and reflect upon how art, including popular media, can be used to help us illuminate both what we know and what we do not.
<h3>What You'll Experience</h3>
Explore fossils through inquiry-driven investigations, examine how scientists and artists reconstruct prehistoric life, engage with Field Museum collections, and enjoy exclusive early access to the Pok&eacute;mon Fossil Museum exhibition. Participants will leave with interdisciplinary strategies that connect science, art, observation, and evidence-based learning for students in grades 3&ndash;8.
Science, social science, and fine arts-aligned. Registration is open to formal and informal educators of all levels, though activities for this session are most applicable for teachers of Grades 3-8.&nbsp;
Illinois Educators will earn 5 hours of Professional Development for attending this two-day training.
<h3 dir="ltr">Your registration includes</h3>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">Materials</li>
<li dir="ltr">Light breakfast</li>
<li dir="ltr">Private early-hour access to <a href="https://www.fieldmuseum.org/exhibition/pokemon">Pok&eacute;mon Fossil Museum</a>! Please note, the Pok&eacute;mon Fossil Museum exhibition store will not be open, and access to the exhibit does not include the trading card.</li>
</ul>
Registration will remain open until Wednesday, July 1, 2026, or until full.
Program questions? Contact Samantha Chapleau, <a href="mailto:schapleau@fieldmuseum.org">schapleau@fieldmuseum.org</a>.

Sponsor

Northern Trust (stack)

<h3 align="center">Official Partner</h3>

Accenture

<h3 align="center">Additional Support Provided By</h3>

enjoy illinois 

Summer Institute 2026 – Interpreting Prehistoric Worlds: Fossils, Art, and Inquiry

Windows, Mirrors, and Stories: Exploring Filipino Literature to Teach Identity and Culture

Teaching Through Storytelling: Coast Salish Weaving and Woolly Dogs

Pinned, Preserved, and Powerful: How Collections Help Us Do Science

Join us in person at the Field Museum for a professional learning experience and workshop!

Professional Development for Educators

SUE Gallery 1327 (Hewett 2018)

Visit the Grainger Science Hub and meet scientists from the College of American Pathologists to  explore the role of a pathologist and examine its impact on overall health. 
This interactive drop-in experience will introduce the world of pathology through hands-on observation, pattern recognition, and diagnostic thinking. Visitors will rotate through stations that mirror the work pathologists do every day: examining tissues, identifying disease patterns, comparing healthy and abnormal samples, and using clues to determine diagnoses. Discover how pathology is the “detective work” of medicine, combining science, visual analytics, and classification to understand disease. 
Please be advised that this Meet a Scientist session will feature human remains. Visitor discretion is advised.

A Day in the Life of a Pathologist: The Science That Shapes Health

Dust from the Cosmos

Gender and Identity in Ancient Egypt

Moth Week! The Secret Lives of Moths: Uncovering Hidden Nighttime Stories

¡Tocamos! Oaxacan Folk Art by Avelino Pérez

Meet a Scientist: Our Cosmic Origins

Meet a Scientist: Caribbean Fossils

Papua New Guinea Collections Celebration

 Nectar Feeders vs. Insect Hunters: A Closer Look at Bats 

What Insects Call Our Garden Home (and Maybe Yours Too!)

See the latest science firsthand in the Grainger Science Hub.

Meet a Scientist

Dr. Kisha Mitchell Richards, Director of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Greenwich Hospital, Connecticut. Dr. Richards is Chair of the Curriculum Committee, Vice Chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, and founding member of the Society of Black Pathologists at the College of American Pathologists.

Dr. Christine Noga Booth, Professor of Pathology at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University and Director of Regional Cytology for the Robert J. Tomsich Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine in the Diagnostics Institute. Dr. Booth is a member of the Council on Scientific Affairs and the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Committee for the College of American Pathologists and is President of the American Society of Cytopathology.

Dr. Juanita Evans, Chair and Medical Director, Department of Pathology, Providence Southfield and Novi Campuses, Michigan. Dr. Evans is a Member of the Practice Management and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committees at the College of American Pathologists.

Young visitors and a museum educator examine a teaching specimen together in the Grainger Science Hub

Meet a Scientist in the Grainger Science Hub

<h3>Presenters</h3>

<h4>Dr. Kisha Mitchell Richards</h4>

Director of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Greenwich Hospital, Connecticut. Dr. Richards is Chair of the Curriculum Committee, Vice Chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, and founding member of the Society of Black Pathologists at the College of American Pathologists.

<h4> Dr. Christine Noga Booth</h4>

Professor of Pathology at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University and Director of Regional Cytology for the Robert J. Tomsich Department of Pathology &amp; Laboratory Medicine in the Diagnostics Institute. Dr. Booth is a member of the Council on Scientific Affairs and the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Committee for the College of American Pathologists and is President of the American Society of Cytopathology.

<h4> Dr. Juanita Evans</h4>

Chair and Medical Director, Department of Pathology, Providence Southfield and Novi Campuses, Michigan. Dr. Evans is a Member of the Practice Management and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committees at the College of American Pathologists.

Poetry Pop-up: Menagerie of Poetry

Poetry Pop-up: Pokémonetry

Poetry Pop-up: Poetic Mechanics

Poetry Pop-up: Poets in the Field

Poetry Pop-up: On the Wings of Pterosaurs

Poetry Pop-up: Animal Theater

Discover the natural world through poetry at weekly pop-up events featuring the Field’s poet in residence.

Poetry Pop-up

Join Eric in the East Hall to explore the large display case with poetry!

A group gathers at the corner of a diorama case. One man sits a desk with a typerwriter. He looks up to a family of three standing over him. The man in the middle stands with arms around the other two individuals. Both are smiling down at the man seated at the desk. A black box with a glass front holds a rock specimen and is propped up against the leg of the desk.

Poetry Pop-Up

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Evolve your favorite Pokémon into a poem! Pokémonetry!

Get your poems into gear! Meet Eric in The Machine Inside: Biomechanics

Imagine what it would feel like to stand next to a T. rex. Ponder what flowers smelled like 30 million years ago. See what inspiration you'll find and start turning your ideas into poetry with Eric Elshtain, the Field Museum's first poet in residence. 
Join us for a series of weekly events that change how you see the museum—whether you’ve visited once or dozens of times. Encounter objects from our collection. Tour an exhibition. Find our poet in residence at a typewriter station to craft your own poem!

Join Eric and Special Guest Poet Scott Sprunger in the Main Hall for Specialized Poems just for you! 

Early Morning: The Pokémon Fossil Museum 

Early Mornings

Early Morning events

Join us for a free talk featuring bilingual children's book author Cynthia Weill about her latest publication ¡Tocamos! 

Cynthia Weill is a renowned author of many award-winning bilingual children's books in English and Spanish. These books for young children, known as the First Concepts in Mexican Folk Art series (Cinco Puntos Press, an imprint of Lee &amp; Low Publishers) utilize hand-crafted figures made by artisans from the state of Oaxaca in M&eacute;xico. Beginning in 2003, Cynthia began collaborating with artisans to create lively and colorful figures made of papier-m&acirc;ch&eacute;, wood, ceramics, and totomoxtle (woven palm). These anthropomorphic and human figures are then photographed and incorporated into her bilingual children's books, such as her latest publication &iexcl;Tocamos!. Cynthia will talk about the process of developing these books and about the deep friendships she has developed with her collaborators, like the artist Avelino P&eacute;rez. P&eacute;rez' whimsical and artistically refined pieces illustrate &iexcl;Tocamos!, and now form part of the growing Mexican folk art collection at the Field Museum.
After Cynthia's talk, guests can enjoy seeing the many works of Oaxacan folk art from the collection that are rarely seen, from renowned artisans such as Mart&iacute;n Melchor, Maximino Santiago Garc&iacute;a, Agust&iacute;n Cruz Tinoco, Jes&uacute;s Canseco Z&aacute;rate, and many more.
This event will take place in Ward Hall, on the lower level near the Museum's west entrance. Light refreshments and snacks will be provided. 
Please note that while this event is free, it does not include general admission to the Field Museum, which can be purchased separately.

¡Tocamos! A Mexican & American Picture Book and Artisanal Collaboration

Naturally Occurring Sweet Things: Jewishness, Transness & Nature - Poetry & Conversation with H. Melt

Cultural Programming

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Image No. 364468_1_3_overall, Cat. No. 364468.1-.3

Image No. 364467_1_11_overall, Cat. No. 364467.1-.11

(left) Cover of ¡Tocamos! © 2025 Lee & Low Books. (right) Author Cynthia Weill. Image courtesy of the author.

Cover of ¡Tocamos! © 2025 Lee & Low Books.

Join us for a professional development book club over the course of three dates on:
<ul>
<li>Tuesday, July 14, 2026 | 2:00pm&ndash;4:00 pm CDT at Restoried Bookshop | 4613 N. Kedzie Avenue, Chicago IL 60625</li>
<li>Tuesday, July 28, 2026 | 2:00-3:00pm CDT virtual on Zoom</li>
<li>Wednesday, August 12, 2026 | 10:00am-12:00pm at Field Museum &nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Join a cohort of 20 educators for a three-part learning experience exploring Filipino history, identity, and storytelling through literature, dialogue, and place-based learning.
Together, participants will read Wild Song by Candy Gourlay and Mabuhay!, a graphic novel by Zachary Sterling, that brings Filipino history and culture to life for younger readers. Through guided discussions, educators will examine themes of colonialism, migration, resilience, belonging, and representation while considering how these stories can enrich classroom practice and support culturally responsive teaching.
The series will begin with an in-person gathering at Restoried, Chicago's only AANHPI-focused bookstore, where participants will build community and launch their reading journey. A second virtual session will provide space for deeper discussion and reflection on Mabuhay! The experience will culminate at the Field Museum, where educators will connect Wild Song to material culture and history through a special behind-the-scenes tour of the Philippine Heritage Collection.
By moving between books, community spaces, and museum collections, participants will gain a richer understanding of Filipino narratives and explore new ways to engage students with stories that illuminate the intersections of history, identity, and belonging.
<h4>Program Format</h4>
<ul>
<li>Session 1: In-person at Restoried Bookshop</li>
<li>Session 2: Virtual discussion</li>
<li>Session 3: Field Museum discussion and behind-the-scenes tour of the Philippine Heritage Collection</li>
</ul>
Audience: Grades 3&ndash;12 educators, librarians, and education professionals interested in Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander histories, literature, and culturally responsive learning experiences.
<h4>Registration Includes</h4>
<ul>
<li>2 books: Wild Song and Mabuhay</li>
<li>Access to all three sessions</li>
<li>Materials</li>
<li>Light breakfast and parking at Session 3 at the Field Museum</li>
<li>Behind the Scenes Tour of the Philippine Heritage Collection</li>
</ul>
Registration will remain open until July 9th or until full.
Educators who complete the workshop series will receive 5 hours of Illinois Professional Development Credit (CPDUs).
Questions? Contact Ria Pretekin, <a href="mailto:rpretekin@fieldmuseum.org">rpretekin@fieldmuseum.org</a>&nbsp;

Field Museum Connections: AANHPI Stories &amp; the TEAACH Act programming is made possible with the generous support of the Cyrus Tang Foundation.

Acknowledgments

Join us at the Field Museum on&nbsp;Tuesday, August 11, 2026, from 10am-12pm for Teaching Through Storytelling: Coast Salish Weaving and Woolly Dogs.
In this session created especially for Early Childhood teachers, hear from Eliot White-Hill, Kwulasultun (Snuneymuxw) about storytelling and the importance of the woolly dogs for the Coast Salish people. Then, learn more about Coast Salish weaving by experiencing our new Early Childhood <a href="https://fieldmuseum.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=eaf2429b25c9bd9768bfd6a32&amp;id=739ff71d70&amp;e=380e3ff4ac">Woolly Dogs field trip class</a> for yourself!
<h4 dir="ltr">Educators will</h4>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">Understand: That weaving tells a story and that storytelling in the Coast Salish community is a powerful means of conveying knowledge and preserving culture.</li>
<li dir="ltr">Do: Practice weaving and listen to a story about the woolly dogs and their importance to Coast Salish people.</li>
<li dir="ltr">Feel: Prepared to utilize best practices in early childhood learning to make the unfamiliar familiar.</li>
</ul>
Registration is open to formal and informal educators of all levels, though activities for this session are most applicable for PreK-Grade 1 teachers.&nbsp;
Illinois Educators will earn 2 hours of Professional Development for attending this two-day training.
<h4 dir="ltr">Your registration includes</h4>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Materials
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Light breakfast
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Parking&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
Looking to be more environmentally-friendly? You can find public transit options <a href="https://www.fieldmuseum.org/page/directions-parking">here</a>.
Registration will remain open until Tuesday, August 4, 2026, or until full.
Program questions? Contact Samantha Chapleau, <a href="mailto:schapleau@fieldmuseum.org">schapleau@fieldmuseum.org</a>.

Learn about the Coast Salish woolly dogs and how storytelling is a powerful means of conveying knowledge and preserving culture.

<h3>Standards Alignment</h3>

<h4>Skyline:</h4>

<ul>
<li>
PreK Social Science
</li>
<ul>
<li>
Unit 4: Me and My World
</li>
</ul>

<li>
Grade K
</li>
<ul>
<li>
Unit 1: Getting Along Together
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="2">
Unit 4: From the Past to the Future
</li>
</ul>
<li>
Grade 1: Living, Learning, and Working Together
</li>
<ul>
<li>
Unit 4: Past, Present, and Future
</li>
<li>
Unit 5: The Work We Do
</li>
</ul>
</ul>
Illinois Social Studies Standards Geography: SS.1.G.3. Compare how people in different types of communities use local and worldwide environments to meet their daily needs.
Illinois Social Studies Standards History: SS.K.H.1. Compare life in the past to life today, including the points of view of diverse groups of people
Illinois Social/Emotional Development Standards: 31.A.ECa show empathy, sympathy, and caring for others.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.1.3 Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details.
Social Justice Standards Diversity 8: DI.K-2.8I want to know about other people and how our lives and experiences are the same and different.

Asian Popular Culture Teacher Professional Development with exclusive access to the Pokemon exhibition. 

Join us for a professional development workshop on Thursday, July 23rd, from 8:00 AM &ndash;12:00 PM CDT!
Asian popular culture can help shape how many students understand identity, history, and global culture. In this interactive professional learning experience, educators will explore how popular media can serve as a powerful entry point into inquiry-based learning, critical thinking, and culturally responsive teaching.
Through hands-on item and image inquiry activities, participants will examine how popular culture reflects historical context, cultural values, migration, representation, and contemporary social issues across Asia and Asian diasporas. Educators will leave with adaptable strategies and classroom-ready activities that connect student interests to deeper learning across disciplines, from ancient history to current events.
Participants will:
<ul>
<li>Explore ways to leverage Asian popular culture to teach both historical and contemporary topics</li>
<li>Engage in inquiry-based learning using images, media, and cultural artifacts</li>
<li>Reflect on how popular media can communicate cultural identity and historical truths</li>
<li>Develop engaging, student-centered activities that center Asian stories and perspectives</li>
</ul>
Your registration includes:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">Materials</li>
<li dir="ltr">Light breakfast</li>
<li dir="ltr">Parking</li>
<li dir="ltr">Private early-hour access at 8:00am (timed entry) to Pok&eacute;mon Fossil Museum! Please note, the Pok&eacute;mon Fossil Museum exhibition store will not be open, and access to the exhibit does not include the trading card.</li>
<li dir="ltr">Looking to be more environmentally-friendly? You can find public transit options <a href="https://www.fieldmuseum.org/page/directions-parking">here</a>.</li>
</ul>
Registration will remain open until Thursday, July 16, 2026, or until full.
All sales final.
Educators who complete the workshop will receive 4 hours of Illinois Professional Development Credit (CPDUs). Questions? Contact Ria Pretekin, rpretekin@fieldmuseum.org&nbsp;

Field Museum Connections: AANHPI Stories &amp; the TEAACH Act programming is made possible with the generous support of the Cyrus Tang Foundation.

Engaging Students Through Asian Popular Culture and Inquiry

Field Museum Connections: AANHPI Stories & the TEAACH Act Workshops

Field Trip 577 (Johnston 2020)

In the short documentary, Sue&ntilde;os De Una Monarca (Dreams of a Monarch), Director Juli&aacute;n Trejo Bax follows environmental activist Claudia Galeno-S&aacute;nchez as she turns her Chicago home into a monarch butterfly sanctuary and symbol of hope.
After the showing, Julian and Claudia will speak on a facilitated panel about the significance of this project and of the monarch butterfly to many Mexican-Americans in the Chicago area.
<a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdBGWO1uw1VV3qSGdaTM2SHbu8W0bB377Eo7nm09cc4wsZ_aw/viewform">Pre-registration</a> is required for this free event.

Sueños de una Monarca Documentary Showing

Drawing Inspiration: Art in the Gardens 

Community Engagement Programming

In addition to needing milkweed early in life, monarch butterflies rely on other native plants like blazing star for nectar. This gives them the energy to continue their migration.

Join us in the Crown Family PlayLab for a free, drop-in PlayDate honoring Pride Month! Families with 2-6-year-olds are invited to a free, drop-in storytime session hosted by the Chicago Public Library. After story time and throughout the day, families can contribute to our community craft. Join us for a fun-filled PlayDate with stories, crafts, and more!

PlayLab PlayDate: Pride Month Storytime with Chicago Public Library

PlayLab PlayDate: Pride Month & Stonewall Day Storytime and Craft

PlayLab PlayDate: Fossil Fun Fest

PlayLab PlayDate: Pollinator Week Storytime with Chicago Public Library

PlayLab PlayDate: Pollinator Week Storytime with the Field Museum Science Action Center

PlayLab PlayDate: Mother's Day Storytime & Craft

PlayLab PlayDate: Father's Day Storytime & Craft

PlayLab PlayDate: Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month Storytime with Chicago Public Library

PlayLab PlayDate: James Hutton Turns 300! 

PlayLab PlayDate: Mexican Folk Art Storytime with Author Cynthia Weill

PlayLab PlayDate: Juneteenth Celebration

PlayLab PlayDate: Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month Storytime 

PlayLab PlayDate: Cinco de Mayo Celebration

PlayLab PlayDate: Jewish American Heritage Month Storytime

PlayLab PlayDate: May the Fourth Space Rocks Celebration

Drop in to the Crown Family PlayLab for free weekly activities for 2-6 year olds!

PlayLab PlayDates

Visit the&nbsp;Grainger Science Hub to see micrometeorites found on the roof of the Field Museum! Explore how cosmic dust can be found everywhere - from the rooftops of buildings to the deserts of Antarctica. Touch meteorites that are 4.5 billion years old and observe how a Scanning Electron Microscope can be used to identify micrometeorites. This session will be presented by Basil Saleem, Resident Graduate Student, Field Museum.
--

Explore how the people of ancient Egypt expressed ideas of identity, gender, and sexuality while viewing rarely-seen objects from the Field&rsquo;s anthropological collections, including jewelry and grooming materials, amulets and objects used in ritual, and funerary decorations. Hear how these objects connect to ongoing research on gender identity, conceptions of homosexual and heterosexual activity, and gender presentation in ancient Egypt. Delve into the theme of identity as you practice writing your name in Egyptian hieroglyphs!
Presenters include Thomas M. Pflanz, Research Volunteer, Anthropology Collections; Emma Turner-Trujillo, Assistant Registrar, Anthropology Collections; Jacob Shuler, Senior Manager of Admissions Revenue, Marketing; Meghan Jackson, Assistant General Counsel, Office of VP and General Counsel.
This session of <a href="https://www.fieldmuseum.org/our-events/meet-a-scientist">Meet a Scientist</a> is part of the Field Museum's <a href="https://www.fieldmuseum.org/activity/pride-month">Pride Month</a> programming.&nbsp;

Join us in the Crown Family PlayLab for a free, drop-in PlayDate honoring <a href="https://www.fieldmuseum.org/activity/pride-month">Pride Month</a> and Stonewall Day! &nbsp;Families with 2-6 year olds are invited to a free, drop-in, storytime session hosted by the PlayLab. After story time and throughout the day, families can contribute to our community craft. Join us for a fun-filled PlayDate with stories, crafts, and more!

PlayLab PlayDate: Pride Month

PlayLab PlayDates are drop-in activities, free to museum guests with children ages 2-6, featuring storytime sessions, music, crafts, science experiments, and more.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Pre-registration is not required! Sessions take place in the <a href="https://www.fieldmuseum.org/exhibition/halls-and-galleries/crown-family-playlab">Crown Family PlayLab</a>.&nbsp;

Program length varies, usually from 20 minutes to 1 hour.

For more information, please see the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.datocms-assets.com/44232/1771856923-general-playlab-programs-policies-faqs-updated.pdf">PlayLab Programs FAQs</a>. Still have questions? Contact the PlayLab team at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:playlabevents@fieldmuseum.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">playlabevents@fieldmuseum.org</a>.

Legendary Late Hours

Legendary Late Hours: Open until 9pm on select dates

We had such a great time at the first Silent Listening Party that we had to bring it back! Grab another chance to see your favorite Chicago DJs, Ryan Moses, Bonita Appleblunt, and Mo Mami. Enjoy our specialty drinks and menu, plus the stunning work of our live visual artist Kudzai Mutasa.
This experience is included with general admission, but headphone reservations are available on a first-come, first-served basis on-site. Arrive early to reserve your spot!
Guest DJs <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mixedbymoses_/reels/"></a>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/mixedbymoses_/reels/">Ryan Moses</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/bonitaappleblunt_/">Bonita Appleblunt</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/momamimusic/">Mo Mami</a></li>
</ul>
Host&nbsp; <a href="https://www.instagram.com/binkey1/">BINKEY</a>
Visual Artists
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.iamkudzai.com/about">Kudzai Blessing Mutasa</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/ewrks_">David Ellis</a></li>
</ul>

Silent Listening Party-Volume No. 2

Living Cultures: Global Sounds, Shared Stories

DJ Ryan Moses

DJ Mo Mami

DJ Bonita Appleblunt

Kudzai Mutasa

Visual Artist David Ellis

Featuring Chicago DJs and Visual Artists

Two people walk at the base of the north stairs outside the Field Museum.

Field Forward Symposium

fieldmuseum_summer2019232.jpg

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Stay in touch

Educator Open House

Join us for an exciting professional development opportunity for Pre-K-12th grade educators.

Dinopalooza 2026

Join us for our fourth annual paleontology extravaganza!

Dinopalooza

Dinopalooza is back!

Families with children ages 2&ndash;6 are invited to a free, drop-in PlayDate packed with fossil fun in the Crown Family PlayLab! Celebrate the opening of the Pok&eacute;mon Fossil Museum exhibit with hands-on activities, crafts, and fossil-filled discoveries. Dig into the world of paleontology and discover how science inspires some of your favorite Pok&eacute;mon.
Please note: Our facilitated movement activity kicks off promptly at 10:30 a.m., followed by a craft you can enjoy anytime until 12:00 p.m.

<div class="text-white pt-16">
Designed for children between two and six years old, this interactive, hands-on space makes learning an adventure.
</div>

Kids in the PlayLab make music (or joyful noise) with instruments from around the world.

Educators, join us for Pollinator Week and explore how scientific collections support conservation, biodiversity research, and the process of doing science. Designed for 6&ndash;8th grade educators, this hands-on workshop features pollinating insects, specimen mounting and preservation practices, and inquiry-driven strategies that highlight how collections preserve the evidence scientists use to study our changing world.
Participants will:
<ul>
<li>Explore how scientific collections preserve evidence used to study biodiversity, environmental change, and conservation over time.</li>
<li>Engage in authentic scientific practices through pollinator specimen observation, mounting, preservation, and inquiry-driven investigation.</li>
<li>Discover classroom-ready strategies that connect pollinators, community science, and NGSS-aligned &ldquo;doing science&rdquo; experiences for students.</li>
</ul>
Educators who complete the workshop will receive 4 hours of Illinois Professional Development Credit (CPDUs)

This hands-on workshop uses scientific collections to help educators explore conservation, biodiversity research, and the authentic process of doing science through observation, inquiry, and evidence-based learning. 

<div>Most moths live their lives after dark &mdash; and most of their stories go untold. Celebrate Moth Week with Field Museum scientists from the Negaunee Integrative Research and Keller Science Action Centers to explore the secret lives of moths, from their stunning diversity and surprising behaviors to their roles as pollinators and indicators of environmental change! See real specimens, ask questions, and discover why these nighttime insects matter. You&rsquo;ll be enchanted by spectacular specimens of the moths you know and love, and be astonished to meet some surprising native pollinators that call Chicago home, too. Learn about how you can take action to help native plants and pollinators, and take home a free Field Guide to help you identify the native plants and pollinators of Chicagoland.</div>
<div>Presenters for this session include Alissa Doucet, Field Museum Scientific Affiliate (Insects), and Nicole Machuca, Environmental Social Scientist, Chicago Region (Field Museum's Keller Science Action Center)</div>
<div></div>

Everyone is invited to come observe and participate in Art in the Gardens! Field Museum staff and volunteers who dabble in the arts professionally or for fun will be scattered throughout Rice Native Gardens &ndash; the Museum&rsquo;s largest and free outdoor exhibit, creating art inspired by the gardens in a variety of mediums. Wander through to observe and chat with them.&nbsp;
Bring your own art supplies if you want to join in! Drop in and leave anytime.

Rice Native Gardens

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Image for Rice Native Gardens

Statues and the garden in the Rice Native Gardens

The Field Museum is proud to showcase new sculptures from the collection by&nbsp;Oaxacan artist Avelino P&eacute;rez. These beautifully carved and painted figures&nbsp;were created in collaboration with the bilingual children's book author,&nbsp;Cynthia Weill, for her latest publication &iexcl;Tocamos! View our newest&nbsp;acquisitions from Oaxaca and learn about the Field Museum&rsquo;s longstanding&nbsp;partnership with author Cynthia Weill.
Presented by Emma Turner-Trujillo, Assistant Registrar, Anthropology Collections.

Let your poems soar with our pterosaurs. Eric will be on the upper level near the perching quetzalcoatlus replica.

Imagine what it would feel like to stand next to a T. rex. Ponder what flowers smelled like 30 million years ago. See what inspiration you'll find and start turning your ideas into poetry with Eric Elshtain, the Field Museum's first poet in residence.&nbsp;
Join us for a series of weekly events that change how you see the museum—whether you’ve visited once or dozens of times. Encounter objects from our collection. Tour an exhibition. Find our poet in residence at a typewriter station to craft your own poem!
Eric hosts pop-ups most Thursdays from 10am–12pm, in locations across the museum. No prior knowledge of poetry needed. &nbsp;

Write a poem about your favorite diorama with Eric as he sits in the Hall of Mammals.

Join us in the Crown Family PlayLab for a free, drop-in PlayDate outside in the <a href="https://www.fieldmuseum.org/exhibition/halls-and-galleries/rice-native-gardens">Rice Native Gardens</a>, celebrating Pollinator Week among the flowers and trees surrounding the Field Museum! &nbsp;Families with 2-6 year olds are invited to a free, drop-in, storytime and movement session hosted by the Chicago Public Library (CPL) and our PlayLab staff. Throughout this interactive read-aloud, CPL readers will feature stories about our favorite pollinators, followed by a movement session to move like a pollinator. Join us outside for a fun-filled PlayDate with stories, songs, and more! (An alternative weather location will be available.)

A monarch in the Field Museum's Rice Native Gardens.

PlayLab PlayDates are free, drop-in activities featuring storytime sessions, music and movement circles, science experiments, and more.

For more information, please see the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.datocms-assets.com/44232/1771856923-general-playlab-programs-policies-faqs-updated.pdf">PlayLab&nbsp;Programs FAQs</a>. 

Still have questions? Contact the PlayLab&nbsp;team at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:playlabevents@fieldmuseum.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">playlabevents@fieldmuseum.org</a>.

Families with 2-6 year olds are invited to a free, drop-in storytime session with guests Librarian Megan and Scientist Nicole that will leave you buzzing with excitement. This event will take place in the <a href="https://www.fieldmuseum.org/exhibition/halls-and-galleries/rice-native-gardens">Rice Native Gardens</a> (weather permitting) or in the Crown Family PlayLab in the case of inclement weather.

Adult monarch butterflies can be spotted around the garden in the summer. In addition to milkweed, they eat the nectar of flowers like coneflower, or Echinacea. 

Come celebrate&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fieldmuseum.org/activity/jewish-american-heritage-month">Jewish American Heritage Month</a> with a poetry reading by H. Melt. H. Melt is the author of There Are Trans People Here, which won the Heartland Booksellers Award, selected by independent booksellers across the Midwest.
This special program weaves together poetry, cultural reflection, and the natural world. In collaboration with Emma Turner-Trujillo, Assistant Registrar for Anthropology at the Field Museum, the session will explore themes of Jewish heritage, belonging, and cultural experience through both personal narrative and objects from the museum&rsquo;s collections. H. Melt&rsquo;s reading will include selected and new works, offering reflections on navigating identity, community, and connection to nature, followed by a brief moderated discussion and audience Q&amp;A.
If attending in person, please join us in the Founders' Room on the main level. If you are unable to attend in person, please <a href="https://fieldmuseum.zoom.us/j/93700131145?pwd=jqBkRKgTQsCiLEHhjoelItToxzKPrH.1&amp;jst=2">join this session on Zoom</a>.

Families with children ages 2&ndash;6 are invited to a free, drop-in PlayDate to celebrate motherly figures in their lives on Mother's Day. During this storytime and craft session, there will be stories about Moms and a coloring craft for children to share with their loved ones. Join us for a fun-filled PlayDate with stories, coloring, and more!

Media

Families with children ages 2&ndash;6 are invited to a free, drop-in PlayDate to celebrate fatherly figures in their lives on Father's Day. During this storytime and craft session, there will be stories about Dads and a coloring craft for children to share with their loved ones. Join us for a fun-filled PlayDate with stories, coloring, and more!

Join us in the Crown Family PlayLab for a free, drop-in PlayDate honoring <a href="https://www.fieldmuseum.org/activity/aanhpi">Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month</a>! Families with 2-6 year olds are invited to a free, drop-in, bilingual storytime session hosted by the Chicago Public Library (CPL). Throughout this interactive read-aloud, CPL readers will feature stories honoring AANHPI Month. Join us for a fun-filled PlayDate with stories, songs, and more!

PlayLab PlayDate: Women's History Month Storytime

Celebration featuring the Field Museum Geology Collections Team

Join us in the Crown Family PlayLab for a free, drop-in PlayDate celebrating the 300th Birthday of James Hutton, the Father of Modern Geology! &nbsp;
Families with 2-6 year olds are invited to a free, drop-in, storytime session hosted by the Field Museum Geology Collections team to honor James Hutton, who established theories that impact our geology sciences today. After story time, check out some special geology specimens from a behind-the-scenes collection. Join us for a fun-filled PlayDate with stories, specimens, and more!

Families with children ages 2&ndash;6 are invited to a free, drop-in PlayDate to celebrate Mexican folk art and Oaxacan culture with author Cynthia Weill. During this cultural storytime, Cynthia will read &iexcl;Tocamos! Mexican Folk Art Music Makers in English and Spanish, exploring and illustrating core concepts for early learners through folk arts. Join us for a fun-filled PlayDate with stories and more!

Families with children ages 2&ndash;6 are invited to a free, drop-in PlayDate to celebrate Juneteenth. This PlayDate will feature stories and a craft celebrating the liberation of enslaved Black Americans. Join us for a fun-filled PlayDate with stories and more!

The Juneteenth flag hanging from a balcony at the Field Museum of Natural History

Please carefully review our updated policy regarding age requirements for Dozin' with the Dinos attendees.

<ul>
<li>Children under the age of 6 will not be admitted into a Dozin' with the Dinos event. Families and groups with children under the age of 6 may be asked to leave the event without a refund.</li>
<li>Adults may not attend Dozin' with the Dinos without a child between the ages of 6-12. If you attend the event and do not have children in your party, you will be asked to leave the event without a refund.</li>
<li>If you've purchased tickets incorrectly by mistake, you have until 2 weeks prior to the event to request a refund. After the two week period no refunds will be given, and you will not be admitted to the event.</li>
</ul>

If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out via email: overnights@fieldmuseum.org or give us a call at 312-665-7525.

Age Policy

See the Field Museum in a whole new light! Families and groups with kids ages 6 to 12 can spend the night at the museum during Dozin' with the Dinos.
Stay up late with scientists as the Field Museum comes to life in games, challenges, and stories throughout the night. Will you dissect owl pellets and identify animal tracks to become the next great wildlife detective? Or, will you embark on a paleontologist's expedition to learn how fossils form? Take on these adventures and more with the Dozin&rsquo; Institute for Nocturnal Observations (DINO) on our late-night mission of discovery. Then, grab your flashlight and explore the halls as the lights go out. This is a night at the museum you won't forget!
Tickets to Dozin&rsquo; with the Dinos scheduled for September 18th and November 6th will include admission to the Pok&eacute;mon Fossil Museum. Timed tickets will be assigned to all Dozin&rsquo; ticketholders prior to the event. All sales are final.

Dozin&rsquo; with the Dinos is supported by Utz Brands&nbsp;

Utz Brands

Dozin' with the Dinos 

Media for Before SUE the T. rex, there was ‘Gorgeous George’

Media for Visiting SUE the T. rex: What to Know Before You Go

An adult and to young children wearing masks look at the skull of SUE the T. rex.

The smallest of museum visitors can get up close and personal with the largest dinos at our special events.

© Ed Lines, Jr

Settle in for a snooze next to your favorite species at Dozin' with the Dinos!

Science is more fun in your pajamas.

Standard

Premium

Tour

Ultimate SUE Sleepover 

All Dozin&rsquo; with the Dinos tickets include a sleeping spot in the&nbsp;exhibitions, discounted parking, admission to select ticketed exhibits,&nbsp;general admission to the Museum the following day, an evening snack, and a&nbsp;continental breakfast. Upgrade to sleep near the dinos in&nbsp;Evolving Planet,&nbsp;or SUE with the Ultimate SUE package!

Groups of 15 or more can get discounted tickets with all standard amenities&mdash;learn more and register via the&nbsp;<a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfjoMYuxAVCgGvcpVOEwSKU7AfaHKvPlLU2Erv3h50mrp2Lcw/viewform">Group Info Form.</a>

All sales are final. Tickets are non-refundable.

2026 Tickets Packages

Welcome to Dozin' with the Dinos at the Field Museum

Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park

All Dozin&rsquo; with the Dinos tickets include a sleeping spot in the&nbsp;exhibitions, discounted parking, admission to select ticketed exhibits,&nbsp;general admission to the Museum the following day, an evening snack, and a&nbsp;continental breakfast. Upgrade to sleep near the dinos in&nbsp;Evolving Planet, or SUE with the Ultimate SUE package!

Groups of 15 or more can get discounted tickets with all standard amenities&mdash;learn more and register via the&nbsp;<a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfjoMYuxAVCgGvcpVOEwSKU7AfaHKvPlLU2Erv3h50mrp2Lcw/viewform">Group Info Form.</a>

All sales are final. Tickets are non-refundable.

View extraterrestrial materials from the Field Museum's collection and explore how scientists use them to learn more about our cosmic origin story. Meet Philipp R. Heck, Sr Director of Research and Robert A. Pritzker Curator, and hear how elements are formed in the stars and shuttled in stardust through space to form the solar system. Examine meteorites and stardust up close as you consider the deep time connection these objects provide us.&nbsp;

Meet Lazaro W. Vinola Lopez, Postdoctoral Research Scientist, and Ken Marks, Fossil Preparator, as they showcase recently unearthed fossils from a 7-million-year-old site in the Caribbean.
Learn about the unexpected animals scientists have discovered during their excavations; explore the differences between these fossils and animals already known to be from the Caribbean islands; and see how these discoveries are impacting what scientists know about the fauna on the islands.&nbsp;

Field Museum Gala

Celebrate and support the Field Museum at our annual Gala!

Families with children ages 2&ndash;6 are invited to a free drop-in PlayDate to celebrate <a href="https://www.fieldmuseum.org/activity/aanhpi">Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander Heritage Month</a> (AANHPI). During this interactive cultural storytime, a guest reader from our AANHPI Project, Field Museum Learning Resources Educator&mdash;Cyrus Tang Foundation, will read Aloha Everything by Kaylin Melia George, exploring themes of Hawaiian hula, Native ecology, and oral traditions. Join us for a fun-filled PlayDate with stories, songs, and more!

Join us in the Crown Family PlayLab for a free, drop-in PlayDate honoring Cinco de Mayo! Families with children ages 2&ndash;6 will enjoy a coloring craft and community resources honoring Cinco de Mayo. Come celebrate with stories, art, and fun!

PlayLab PlayDate: Reptiles Storytime

Join us in the Crown Family PlayLab for a free, drop-in PlayDate honoring <a href="https://www.fieldmuseum.org/activity/jewish-american-heritage-month">Jewish American Heritage Month</a>! Families with children ages 2&ndash;6 will meet with a special guest from the Field Museum Family Programs &amp; Camps team for a storytime session, which will feature a book, personal stories, and a coloring craft honoring Jewish American Heritage Month. Come celebrate with stories, art, and fun!

Families with children ages 2&ndash;6 are invited to a free, drop-in PlayDate to celebrate May the Fourth with space rocks and a special movement activity. Join us for a fun-filled PlayDate with stories, movement, and more!

Focus: Meteorites

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Image for Focus: Meteorites

Join us on Tuesday this week for a special seminar, Forging Peru&ndash;United States Scientific Collaboration through Archaeology and Bioarchaeology: A Conversation with Jane Buikstra and John Rick about Past and Future Directions.
This session takes place in Ward Hall on the lower level.&nbsp;

Darlene Dowdy-Pritchett

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