Cicada Pinning Workshop

2024 marks an exceptional year for cicadas in Illinois, with not one, but two broods of periodical cicadas set to emerge in May and June. This natural phenomenon only happens once every 221 years. Make a memento from this unforgettable summer at our cicada pinning workshop. 

In this after-hours special event, our Field scientists will lead you through the process of pinning a cicada so that you can take home a beautiful piece of art. 

Guests will also have the chance to explore some of our favorite buggy exhibits like the Small Treasures Gallery, Cicada Invasion, and Underground Adventure, where you can get a taste of what life is like underground for cicadas and their fellow dirt dwellers. 

All skill levels are welcome—from cicada-curious to periodical aficionado. Tickets include a reservation to the class, a cicada specimen, and all the materials you’ll need to complete the project.