For Teens and Pre-Teens

A journey of discovery starts at any age.

Field Trips

The Field Museum aims to inspire Chicagoland area teens and pre-teens to explore and protect the natural world. Our youth programs connect them to natural history and world cultures while helping them prepare for college and careers in STEM.

If you’re between 11 and 18 years old, this could be a life-changing opportunity to meet the scientists investigating wildlife in the Amazon. Uncover the specimens lurking in our collections. Set out and see the city’s diverse habitats. Find community with other science lovers in middle and high school. Together, you can follow your curiosity to internships, career panels, volunteering, and more.

Supporting all youth

We welcome all teens and pre-teens in grades 6–12 to our youth programs. To increase access to these events and opportunities, we provide a number of resources to participants, including stipends, public transportation vouchers, and free museum admission. You can even earn volunteer hours, building your skills with leadership, public speaking, coding, and design. Be sure to check in with each program to see what’s provided.

A teen smiles while holding a preserved hammerhead shark

Take a closer look

Document nature on your phone with iNaturalist

Dig deeper into the world around you. Our scientists have created resources to help young scientists like you learn more about Chicago’s own rich wildlife.