Illinois Social Studies Resources
Thanks to Dr. Frederick C. Isele for information about the following social studies sites.
Please send any additions to: David McMullen (mcmullen@bradley.edu) or Frederick C. Isele (FC-Isele@wiu.edu).
Please send any additions to: David McMullen (mcmullen@bradley.edu) or Frederick C. Isele (FC-Isele@wiu.edu).
Adler Planetarium in Chicago
![]() Contact learn@adlerplanetarium.org or call (312) 322 0302 to discuss your professional development goals and to start planning your customized experience.
Shedd Aquarium in Chicago
![]() Education coordinator and contact for setting up workshops: Jackie Formoso. Her e-mail address is: jformoso@sheddaquarium.org. Her phone number is (312) 692-3165.
Workshops on demand Workshops on Demand are designed for up to 25 educators, cost is $250 and includes C&I materials. To register, download the registration form at this page and fax it to 312-663-1472. Reservations must be made three weeks before the date requested. Museum of Science and Industry![]() Contact Pam Barry at 773-753-1393 to set up teacher workshops. Her e-mail address is: Pam.Barry@msichicago.org.
Teacher workshops at MSI MSI accepts applications for professional development/teacher workshop programs until Mid-September. The programs are held from Sept-May edinfo@msichicago.org general information: (773) 684-1414 Chicago Children’s Museum
![]() Information about professional development
Call Adult programs department to find out more about workshops: (312) 464-7743 Use contact form on website (link above) to find out more about available workshops ![]() Japan Information Center of Chicago
The Japan Information Center (JIC) provides members of its staff free of charge to deliver presentations about Japan and Japanese culture to schools and community groups. Our staff can visit area schools or groups, or welcome visitors from anywhere in our ten-state jurisdiction. Please refer to our pamphlet for more information on school visits. If you have any questions or would like to receive detailed information about our presentations, please contact our coordinator. Ms. Emily Toelcke Outreach Coordinator Japan Information Center Consulate General of Japan at Chicago 737 North Michigan Ave, Suite 1000 Chicago, IL 60611 Tel: (312) 280-0432 Fax: (312) 280-6883 emily.toelcke@cg.mofa.go.jp Bronzeville Children’s Museum
![]() (773) 721-9301 to inquire about teacher workshops
bronzvlle@aol.com to inquire about teacher workshops When calling the number listed above, you will not reach an operator; only a voice recorder. The Dusable Museum of
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Field Museum in Chicago
![]() Jessica Hankey (School Partnerships and Programs Manager) is the contact to speak with about setting up a teacher workshop. Her direct line is 312-665-7536. You can also email her at educators@fieldmuseum.org
You may also want to make use of the Harris Learning Collection - a program through which teachers can borrow artifacts and specimens and bring them into their classroom. The website is harris.fieldmuseum.org Current workshops for teachers General Info: (312) 922-9410 Schools: (312) 665-7500 Special Events: (312) 665-7600 Art Institute of Chicago
![]() For more information on teacher programs, call (312) 857-7199.
Museum Education Programs (312) 443-3680. To contact by e-mail, use the contact form provided. The Chicago History Museum
![]() To find out more about workshops, contact Heidi Moisan, school programs manager at 312-799-2152. Heidi develops professional development courses for educators.
You can make reservations for educator programs online through the link listed above. McCormick Foundation![]() The Freedom Express is available - free of charge - to visit schools in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will Counties that serve 6th-12th grade students.
Schools can request multiple-day visits on a first-come, first-served basis. Visit our Make a Reservation page for details. McCormick Foundation 205 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 4300 Chicago, IL 60601 Phone: 312 445 5000 Fax: 312 445 5001 Email: info@mccormickfoundation.org Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago
![]() Contact Leah Melber, director of student and teacher programs, at 312-742-2064. Her e-mail address is: lmelber@lpzoo.org.
Educator Programs at Lincoln Park Zoo. Call 312-742-2056 or email educationprograms@lpzoo.org to learn more about workshops. The National Museum of Mexican Art
![]() Educator Workshops
Throughout the year, our Education Department offers several four-hour workshops focused on the themes and works of art of our temporary exhibitions. Our Saturday Educator Workshops offer a great opportunity for teachers to learn about different elements of Mexican art, history, and culture. Participating teachers (K-12) receive curriculum materials and resources to implement in their classrooms and integrate into their regular curricula. Workshops are offered on Saturdays from 11 am to 3 pm at a nominal cost. CPDUs available. To contact the education department about Saturday workshops, call (312) 738-1503 ext. 3842 or e-mail education@nationamuseumofmexicanart.org Smart Museum of Art
![]() To register for a teacher workshop, email Lisa Davis lisadavis@uchicago.edu, Manager of Tour and Teacher Initiatives, or call 773.834.1066.
The Smart regularly hosts workshops and other programs for art and other teachers interested in integrating aspects of the Museum into their curriculum. Topics generally include teaching with objects, special exhibition themes, and arts integration. Oriental Institute
![]() Workshops and Courses
The workshops currently listed were geared as courses and others labeled as workshops were not for teachers, but adults in general. Contact oi-education@uchicago.edu for more information about available courses and workshops. Contact adult education department at (773) 702-9507. Intuit
![]() Each year, 20 teachers from 10 Chicago public schools are selected through a careful admissions process to participate in Intuit’s award-winning professional development program. Through the program, teachers interested in incorporating the work of self-taught artists into their classrooms receive training in how to use the art to supplement learning in the subjects of English, history, social studies, visual art, music and computer science.
There is no information listed online about application procedures for the professional development program. Interested teachers will need to call 312-243-9088 for current information. intuit@art.org Chicago Architecture Foundation
![]() Teacher workshops at the Chicago Architecture Foundation.
Contact Jean Linsner, Vice President of Youth Education, for more information about teacher workshops. adulated@architecture.org or education@architecture.org Museum of Contemporary Art
![]() Teacher workshops: Designed to draw connections between school curricula and the museum’s exhibitions and collection, workshops provide teachers with tools to integrate contemporary art and the creative process into their teaching practice.
MCA teacher programs are free for Illinois teachers. Participants receive CPDUs. Vouchers for free parking in the MCA garage are provided pending availability. Public transportation is recommended. For more information, please call 312.397.3840, or teacherprograms@mcachicago.org. Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art
![]() Teacher Resources
Tel: 630.833.1616 General Information: info@lizzadromuseum.org John Lizzadro: Executive Director jlizzadro@lizzadromuseum.org Dorothy Asher: Museum Director dasher@lizzadromuseum.org Museum Education Services: educator@lizzadromuseum.org Kohl Children’s Museum
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Downstate Illinois Sites
Lincoln Home in Springfield
![]() Contact via e-mail using form on website contact page
Visitor Information Phone (217) 391-3226 Visitor information will transfer you to Laura Dundrum, Chief of Interpretation to speak about workshops. Teacher resources online but no information given about workshops. Peoria Riverfront Museum![]() Workshops for adult and children visitors but not for teachers.
309-686-7000 ext. 113 For field trip reservations call 309-863-3013 ![]() The Dirksen Congressional Center
The Dirksen Center 2815 Broadway Road Pekin, IL 61554 (309) 347-7113 (309) 347-6412 FAX David Davis Mansion State Historic Site
![]() For additional information, contact Site Manager, (309) 828-1084.
Educational programs. There is no mention of professional development or workshops for teachers. Cahokia Mounds in Collinsville, Illinois
![]() Contact Cahokia at the number and e-mail address below to find out more information about workshops.
618-346-5160 cahokia.mounds@sbcglobal.net Garfield Farm Museum
![]() The Garfield Farm Museum does not list specific workshops catered to teachers but that webpage listed below gives a list of current and upcoming seminars and workshops, some of which could be used by a teacher to enhance their lesson plans.
info@garfieldfarm.org 630.584-8485 |
![]() Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
See our Upcoming Events calendar to register for educator workshops and public programs. To learn more about our professional development opportunities and education materials, please also see our Educators page. If you have any questions, please reach out to the Education Team at ALPLM.Education@Illinois.gov. Orpheum Children’s Science Museum in Champaign
![]() The Museum of the Grand Prairie/Champaign County Forest Preserve District
![]() The Museum and Education Department offers content-based workshops for Continuing Professional Development Unit (CPDU) credit. Please let us know if you are interested in such a workshop and/or would like to be included on our CPDU mailing list. For more information, contact Stacey Clementz at (217) 896-2455 or sclementz@ccfpd.org.
Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie/Illinois Department of Natural Resources
![]() CPDU workshops for teachers.
dnr.teachkids@illinois.gov 217-524-4126 IDNR created the Illinois Environment and Nature Training Institute for Conservation Education (ENTICE) Niabi Zoo in Coal Valley, IL
![]() Resources for teachers, though no reference to teacher workshops listed.
Contact (309) 799-3482 Ext. 222 for more information about Education Programs. McLean County Museum
![]() Contact the Museum Education Department at 309-827-0428, or by email at education@mchistory.org, and Museum Staff will work with you to create customized resources or experiences that meet your educational needs.
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Other Illinois Locations
(no information about teacher workshops available)
DuPage Children’s Museum
![]() Discovery Depot Children’s Museum
![]() (309) 344.8876 discoverydepot@grics.net
McCormick Bridgehouse and Chicago River Museum
![]() Museum of Surgical Science
![]() Fox River Trolley Museum
![]() Monticello Railway Museum
![]() Contact PagePO Box 401
992 Iron Horse Place Monticello, IL 61856 (217) 762-9011 (877) 762-9011 info@mrym.org Illinois Railway Museum
![]() Chanute Air Museum
![]() Chanute Air Museum
1011 Pacesetter Drive Rantoul, Illinois 61866-3672 217-893-1613 Curator - Mark Hanson curator@aeromuseum.org Education - educator@aeromuseum.org Polish Museum of America
![]() The Polish Museum of America
984 N. Milwaukee Avenue Chicago, IL 60642-4101 (773) 384-3352 PMA@PolishMuseumofAmerica.org Farnsworth House
![]() This facility is not set up for workshops, seminars, etc.
(only summer day camps) 815 964-2424 Contact Page Glessner House Museum
![]() Tinker Swiss Cottage
![]() Black Hawk State Historic Site
![]() 1510 46th Ave.
Rock Island, IL 61201 309-788-9536 ISM Dickson Mounds
![]() Illinois State Museum - Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources 10956 N Dickson Mounds Rd Lewistown, IL 61542 Fulton, Region: 3 Natural History T-Sa 10-4 pm. Free. Explore 12,000 years of human experience in Illinois River Valley. Site features archaeological exhibits, unique artifacts, multi-media presentations, picnic grounds, and programs. Dr. Duane Esarey, Director 309/547-3721 309/547-3189 christa.christensen@illinois.gov http://www.museum.state.il.us Hauberg Indian Museum
![]() 309-788-9536
Illinois State Museum
![]() Illinois Dept of Natural Resources 502 S Spring St Springfield, IL 62706-5000 Corner of Spring & Edwards Sts Sangamon, Region: 3 T-Sa 10-4 pm, Play Museum W-Sa, 11-4 pm Free admission, donations welcome. Permanent and changing exhibits on Illinois natural and cultural history, anthropology, fine, and history. Children ages 3 - 10 can learn through play what it is like to work at a museum in the hands-on children's Play Museum. Shop features educational games and quality crafts. Extensive Website for the public, research, and education. Educator’s Page bit.ly/ismEducators Cinnamon Catlin-Legutko, Director 217/782-7386 217/782-0061 lorna.shuman@illinois.gov http://www.illinoisstatemuseum.org/ |
Children’s Discovery Museum in Normal, IL
![]() Chicago Cultural Center
![]() National Veterans Art Museum
![]() 1801 S.Indiana Ave.
Chicago, IL60616 312.326.0270 Dan FitzGerald Programming Coordinator, danfitzgerald@nvam.org Elmhurst Art Museum
![]() 150 Cottage Hill Ave.
Elmhurst, Illinois 60126 630.834.0202 Museum of Contemporary Photography
![]() Batavia Historical Society
![]() Batavia Depot Museum
![]() Illinois Old Capitol State Historic Site
![]() near 6th & Adams Streets
Springfield, IL 217-785-9363 Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site
![]() Donley’s Wild West Town
![]() Naper Settlement
![]() 523 S. Webster St., Naperville, IL 60540
630-420-6010 Wildlife Prairie State Park
![]() 3826 N. Taylor Road
Hanna City, IL 61536 309-676-0998 irequest@wildlifeprairiestatepark.org Education Page Scovill Zoo
![]() 71 S. Country Club Rd
Decatur, IL 62521 217.421.7435 Burpee Museum of Natural History in Rockford
![]() Midwest Museum of Natural History
![]() Quad City Botanical Center
![]() Education
Director Gary Koeller 309-794-0991 ext 25 edu@qcgardens.com; Education Coordinator Megan Crandall Cooper 309-794-0991 ext 32 edu@qcgardens.com |
Iowa Sites
Des Moines Art Center
![]() Adult workshops available. There are no teacher workshops listed, though, only courses like ceramics, photography, etc.
Molly Moser, Studio Programs Assistant via studioartclasses@desmoinesartcenter or 515.271.0306. |
Michigan Sites
The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn
![]() Contact Paula Gangopadhyay, Director of Education, at 313.982.6001.
Professional development workshops for teachers Kelsey Museum of Archaelogy
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Exhibit Museum of Natural History in Ann Arbor
![]() Contact Education Director Kira Berman 734-647-8574, kiberman@umich.edu for assistance.
University of Michigan Museum of Art in Ann Arbor
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