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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).

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Adler Planetarium in Chicago

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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

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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 

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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

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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

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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 

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(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 
African American History

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Please call Sheila Cotton, Manager of Making History Come Alive through the Arts at 773-420-2742 or scotton@dusablemuseum.org


Professional development opportunities at Dusable.

WORKSHOPS:  for teachers, parents, students and administrators and community organizations (YMCA, YWCA, BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB, ETC.) are planned for your school with the principal, vice principal or program coordinators. The workshops can be scheduled for one to three sessions in any discipline, visual arts, dance, theater or storytelling. Most student workshops are offered for 3 classrooms back to back in one day. Teacher and Parent workshops will be offered either in your school or at the DuSable throughout the year. Each workshop session can be arranged from 45 to 90 minutes.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS AND FULL DAY SEMINARS : our professional development workshops and full day seminars are available throughout the year. Themes include but are not limited to: migration, art and literacy, Bronzeville and special seminars for our changing exhibits and ecology in the Black Diaspora.

Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies

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Follow link below to find information about current workshops.

Please contact Dean and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Dean Bell at dbell@spertus.edu for questions and information about workshops at Spertus.


The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

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Teacher workshops at the Nature Museum.

The Nature Museum provides hands-on multidisciplinary workshops and off-site trips that apply toward teacher re-certification, meet Illinois Academic Standards, and are engaging for teachers of all levels!  An array of workshops is offered to meet your specific needs.  Traditional workshops provide in-depth training, curriculum ideas, tools, and more.  Saturday Morning Drop-Ins are a quick and convenient.  Plus, we can customize workshops specifically to meet your school's needs. Follow the link above to obtain a registration form and application.

Contact teacherworkshops@naturemuseum.org for more information or fax questions to 773-549-0607.

Jane Addams Hull House Museum

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Contact Lisa Junkin | Education Coordinator for information about future teacher workshop opportunities.
(312) 355.5301
 ljunkin@uic.edu

Loyola University Museum of Art

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Learn more about teacher programs at LUMA, though there are no teacher workshops referenced.

Learn more about adult outreach programs.


Museum of Broadcast Communications

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No educational programs listed but teacher inquiries are accepted at: archives@museum.tv

Adam Yenkin is the Archives Clerk on staff. ayenkin@museum.tv

Frank Lloyd Wright Home in Oak Park, Illinois

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Our professional development workshops use Frank Lloyd Wright’s work as the focus for learning and talking about architecture, history, and social change. Learn architectural terms, read a building, ask the questions that get your students excited about architecture. We can provide half-day, full-day, or multi-day sessions. Participants can earn CPDUs. Call the Education Department at 708.725.3829 for fee structure. Recommended for K-8 teachers.  educate@gowright.org

Brookfield Zoo

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Teacher workshops at Brookfield Zoo.
For questions, contact Lanis Petrik at 708-688-8372 or Lanis.Petrik@czs.org, or Julie Wozniak at 708-688-8367 or Julie.Wozniak@czs.org

Aurora Regional Fire Museum

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The Aurora Regional Fire Museum provides educational programs for all ages and occasions. Programs last approximately 45 to 60 minutes depending on audience
and age group and can be scheduled weekdays (Tuesday through Friday), and on some select evenings and weekends.

For more information contact:
 Deborah Davis at: (630) 892-1572 ext. 0
or via email: ddavisarfm@aol.com.

Illinois Holocaust Museum

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The Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center seeks to provide the opportunity for all students and educators to learn about the Holocaust and human rights atrocities. These events are not aberrations of history but have implications for the world today.

9603 Woods Drive
Skokie, IL 60077
847.967.4800


Field Museum in Chicago

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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 

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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

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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

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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 Center

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Join our community of formal and informal educators and ACED professionals for educational resources and professional development opportunities at the Chicago Architecture Center. Contact CAC’s education department at education@architecture.org for more information about educational opportunities.

Museum of Contemporary Art 

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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

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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 
in Glenview, IL

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Professional development opportunities/workshops 

Kohl Children’s Museum’s professional development program is designed for teachers, caregivers, parents, and other adults who interact with children ages birth through 8. These are offered both on-site and at the Museum.Each in-service topic is aligned with the Illinois State Learning Standards and NAEYC Early Learning Standards. All involve hands-on exploration and small and whole group discussion.Continuing education credit is available.

Contact the Kohl Children’s Museum Education Department at (847) 832‑6871 for fees and further information regarding Professional Development Training Topics or to customize one of your own.

Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois

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Teacher workshops at the Morton Arboretum.


630-719-2468
registrar@mortonarb.org

Downstate Illinois Sites

Lincoln Home in Springfield

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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

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Workshops for adult and children visitors but not for teachers.


309-686-7000 ext. 113

For field trip reservations call 309-863-3013 

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum provides a variety of resources and programs for educators and students to learn about the life and legacy of President Lincoln and the history of the state of Illinois. See our Upcoming Events, Educators, and Junior Historians pages to learn more.

Orpheum Children’s Science Museum in Champaign

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Contact Katie@orpheumkids.com 
to find out more about professional development. 

The Museum of the Grand Prairie/Champaign County Forest Preserve District

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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

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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

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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

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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.

Other Illinois Locations
(no information about teacher workshops available)

DuPage Children’s Museum

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301 N. Washington Street, Naperville, IL 60540
Phone: (630) 637-8000

Contact

Discovery Depot Children’s Museum 

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(309) 344.8876  discoverydepot@grics.net

McCormick Bridgehouse and Chicago River Museum

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Vistor Information
376 N. Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60601
312.977.0227
info@bridgehousemuseum.org

Museum of Surgical Science

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Education Page
312.642.6502 ext. 3130 
education@imss.org

Fox River Trolley Museum

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Contact Page(847)697-4676
info@foxtrolley.org





Monticello Railway Museum

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Contact PagePO Box 401
992 Iron Horse Place
Monticello, IL 61856
(217) 762-9011
(877) 762-9011
info@mrym.org

Illinois Railway Museum

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Contact Page
815-923-4391
Illinois Railway Museum
Post Office Box 427
Union, IL 60180


Chanute Air Museum

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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

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The Polish Museum of America 
984 N. Milwaukee Avenue 
Chicago, IL 60642-4101 
(773) 384-3352 
PMA@PolishMuseumofAmerica.org

Farnsworth House

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This facility is not set up for workshops, seminars, etc.
(only summer day camps) 
815 964-2424
Contact Page

Glessner House Museum

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1800 S. Prairie Avenue Chicago, IL 60616
312.326.1480
glessnerhouse@sbcglobal.net

Tinker Swiss Cottage

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411 Kent Street
Rockford, IL 61102
info@tinkercottage.com
815-964-2424

Black Hawk State Historic Site  

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1510 46th Ave. 
Rock Island, IL 61201
309-788-9536

ISM Dickson Mounds 

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10956 N. Dickson Mounds Road 
Lewistown, IL 61542
(309) 547-3721


Hauberg Indian Museum 

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309-788-9536

Illinois State Museum 

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502 South Spring Street
Springfield, IL
(217)782-7386

Children’s Discovery Museum in Normal, IL

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101 E Beaufort
Normal, IL 61761
 Phone: (309) 433-3444
Email: museum@normal.org


Chicago Cultural Center

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78 E. Washington St.,
Chicago, IL 60602
312.744.6630
dcase@cityofchicago.org


National Veterans Art Museum 

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1801 S.Indiana Ave.
Chicago, IL60616
312.326.0270
Dan FitzGerald
Programming Coordinator, danfitzgerald@nvam.org

Elmhurst Art Museum

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150 Cottage Hill Ave.
Elmhurst, Illinois 60126 
630.834.0202 

Museum of Contemporary Photography

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600 S. MICHIGAN AVE
CHICAGO, IL 60605 312.663.5554
Email: mocp@colum.edu

Batavia Historical Society

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155 Houston Street
Batavia, IL. 60510
information@bataviahistoricalsociety.org

Batavia Depot Museum

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630-406-5274
Contact form  
Allow 2-4 weeks for response. 

Illinois Old Capitol State Historic Site

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near 6th & Adams Streets
Springfield, IL
217-785-9363

Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site 

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15588 History Lane
Petersburg, Illinois 62675
217-632-4000
hpa.newsalem@illinois.gov

Donley’s Wild West Town

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8512 South Union Road
Route 20 & South Union Road
Union, Illinois 60180
815-923-9000 
Contact form

Naper Settlement

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523 S. Webster St., Naperville, IL 60540
630-420-6010

Wildlife Prairie State Park

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3826 N. Taylor Road
Hanna City, IL 61536
309-676-0998 irequest@wildlifeprairiestatepark.org
Education Page

Scovill Zoo

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71 S. Country Club Rd
Decatur, IL 62521
217.421.7435

Burpee Museum of Natural History in Rockford

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737 North Main St Rockford, IL 61103
815.965.3433
info@burpee.org
Student workshops

Midwest Museum of Natural History

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425 West State Street (Route 64) Sycamore, IL 60178 
815.895.9777 
Education Page

Quad City Botanical Center   

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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

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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

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Contact Paula Gangopadhyay, Director of Education, at 313.982.6001.

Professional development workshops for teachers

Kelsey Museum of Archaelogy 
in Ann Arbor

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Contact:
Lauren Talalay, Associate Director & Curator for Academic Outreach and Exhibits
talalay@umich.edu
734.647.0441

Exhibit Museum of Natural History in Ann Arbor

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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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Contact the education department at

734.647.0522
umma-tours@umich.edu

(c) 2017 Illinois Council for the Social Studies