Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum Field Trip

By Margaret Gurney

Rafael Rosa, VP of Education of the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, told us about the activities of the Museum at our meeting held at the Museum on August 12.

The Museum opened in 1999, and incorporated the Chicago Academy of Science, which dates from 1867.  There are ongoing and special exhibitions, and the Museum is committed to public outreach and a leadership role in citizen initiatives to preserve endangered species and areas.

The Museum works with 425 schools; has programs for 85,000 students and thousands of teachers.  It interacts with more than two million visitors each year.  Some of the activities are nine on-site summer camps, teacher support programs, and guided workshops for 21,000 students.  There are 200 classrooms that participate in Science On the Go!, a program of Museum scientists visiting to conduct scientific experiments in underserved schools

Following his talk, Rafael generously took time to escort us through the Museum, concentrating on the special exhibit about migrating Monarch butterflies, and the Butterfly Haven, an outstanding and beautiful part of the Museum's program to protect butterfly habitat and teach preservation of butterflies. 

Eighteen members and guests attended; the catered lunch was arranged by Krys Lordahl.