George Washington Carver Public Programs

For Immediate Release
Contact: Nancy O'Shea
(312) 665-7100 (For Media Use Only)

George Washington Carver Public Programs
The Field Museum offers a variety of programs to help general visitors and students delve deeper into the content and themes explored in the exhibition George Washington Carver.  The list below highlights some of the offerings.  Please visit www.fieldmuseum.org or call 312.665.7400 for a complete list or to register. 

AFRICAN HERITAGE FESTIVAL:
African Heritage Festival 2007 will highlight The Field Museum's exhibition on George Washington Carver and celebrate Carver's extraordinary life and numerous achievements through lectures, performances and hands-on family activities.
Friday-Sunday, February 1-February 3, 2008
Free with Basic admission.
 

GALLERY PROGRAMS:
Interpretive Stations
Stop by an interpretive station for hand-on activities throughout the Museum. Featured stations during the run of George Washington Carver include:

• Mud Management
  Learn about the importance of soil by looking at its components up close and exploring the ecosystems of the ground below.
   
• Rock and Mineral Match
  Match rocks and minerals to the familiar products that are made from them.
   
• Stories of Domestication
  Feed your geography appetite while learning about the origins of everyday food.
  Saturday and Sunday, February 2 and 3, 2008 from 11am-2pm
  Free with Basic admission.

Kraft Story Time
Take a seat in one of our exhibition halls, hear a story, and make an art project to take home, all in 20 minutes! Featured titles in February will highlight African Heritage Month.
Saturday and Sunday, February 2 and 3, 2008 at 1:30pm
Free with Basic admission.

Special Artists at The Field: Scientific Illustration
Meet a Field Museum scientific illustrator and watch as she uses Carver's numerous botanical illustrations as inspiration for her work.
Saturday, February 2, 2008 from 11am-2pm
Free with Basic admission.

Tuskegee Science Stations
Learn about the latest science projects coming out of Tuskegee University, including research on the sweet potato, and meet the Tuskegee graduate students leading those efforts.
Saturday, February 2 and 3, 2008 from 11am-2pm
Free with Basic admission.

ADULT LECTURE:
Tuskegee University: The Carver Legacy
Understand George Washington Carver's powerful impact on Tuskegee University and his role in shaping it as an institution dedicated to "inquiry and commitment, faith and knowledge, truth and service, scientific/technical competence and ethical maturity."
Saturday, February 2, 2008 at 2pm
Free with Basic admission.
 

PERFORMANCES
Come celebrate the opening of George Washington Carver with special performances by the Chicago Children's Choir and The John Work Chorale.

The Chicago Children's Choir
Enjoy a special performance by The Chicago Children's Choir—a multiracial, multicultural choral music education organization shaping the future by making a difference in the lives of children and youth through musical education.
Saturday, February 2, 2008 at noon
Free with Basic admission.

The John Work Chorale
Hear a performance by this singing group named in honor of composer, educator, choral director, and ethnomusicologist John Wesley Work, III.
Sunday, February 3, 2008 at noon
Free with Basic admission.
 

FAMILY FIELD DAY
Saturday, February 16, 2008

Interpretive Stations
Stop by an interpretive station for hand-on activities throughout the Museum. Featured stations during the run of George Washington Carver include:

• Mud Management
  Learn about the importance of soil by looking at its components up close and exploring the ecosystems of the ground below.
   
• Rock and Mineral Match
  Match rocks and minerals to the familiar products that are made from them.
   
• Stories of Domestication
  Feed your geography appetite while learning about the origins of everyday food.
  Saturday, February 16, 2008 from 11am-2pm
  Free with Basic admission.

Scientists at The Field
Meet a Field Museum scientist and see rarely displayed specimens from our collections.
11am-2pm
Free with Basic admission.
 

FAMILY WORKSHOPS:
Peanut, Peanut Butter and Carver!
Come learn about George Washington Carver as a young boy who was curious about the world around him--just like you!
9am-10am
$5, members $3 per child; For each 2-6 year old child, one adult chaperone attends for free.

Science in Your Own Backyard
This research and development workshop will allow families to learn more about Carver's applications by conducting experiments on plants found in their own backyard.
For families with children 6-12 years old.
10am-11:30am
$7 each person, members $4 each person
 

ON-GOING CARVER PROGRAMMING

GALLERY PROGRAM:

USDA Scientists at The Field

Learn more about the complexities of soil with these real life scientists, who will demonstrate the importance of soil to life on Earth. You'll get a chance to see and feel different types of soil, see how various elements of soil react in water, and try your hand at some soil trivia.
11am-2pm
Thursdays, February 14, March 13, April 10, May 8, June 12
Free with Basic admission.
 

SCHOOL PROGRAMS

STUDENT LECTURE:
Forgotten Genius
The topic of "Forgotten Genius" will be discussed by scientists and historians and will cover the role that African-Americans and women have played in the development of scientific technologies and discoveries.
Friday, February 1, 2008 at 10:30am
Free; pre-registration required.
Visit our web site at www.fieldmuseum.org or call 312.665.7500 to register for this program.

STUDENT PROGRAM:
HS Press Preview: George Washington Carver
Attention Newspaper and Journalism Advisors! You and your student journalism staff are invited to join us for a private exhibition tour and an exclusive dialogue with exhibition designers and scientists. Later, students can submit their article to the Museum, and we'll publish the best ones.
Free to high school journalism staff, accompanied by advisors/chaperones. Includes entrance to the Museum and the George Washington Carver exhibition. Call 312.665.7506 to register.
Thursday, February 7, 2008; 9am-12pm

STUDENT CLASSES

On-site Soil Adventure Mobile Student Class:
G.W. Carver: Plant Doctor and Soil Scientist
Join The Field Museum's Soil Adventure Mobile educators for a special on-site class connecting the secrets of soil and the innovations and advancements of George Washington Carver. Students will look through the modern day lenses of crop and soil sciences and understand how the experiments of Carver fueled much of the economic success of farmers over time. Through hands-on activities and a focused field trip of the George Washington Carver exhibition, you and your students will discover how the life and research of George Washington Carver still play major roles in your very own kitchen, neighborhood and backyard.
10am-12pm
Available February-June 2008; $4 per student.
Visit our web site at www.fieldmuseum.org or call 312.665.7500 to register for this program.

Renewable Energy Vehicle
Get veg-ucated! The Field Museum has been "green" for decades. Besides solar panels on our roof, and a massive recycling program, our conservation efforts span the globe. But now we're taking the show on the road! Our new veggie diesel van is running on plants and soakin' up the sun's rays with our solar roof. The Renewable Energy Vehicle will come to your classroom or event and our staff will explain your alternative fuel choices. We'll also explain how the sun's energy can be easily harvested to power your everyday world.
Reserve the Renewable Energy Vehicle today for your middle and high school student programs, fairs, festivals and other events!
Email: RenewableEnergyVehicle@fieldmuseum.org or call 312.665.7330 to find out how!

EDUCATOR PROGRAMS

Educator Viewing: George Washington Carver
Shampoo from peanuts? Writing ink from sweet potatoes? With imagination and intellect, George Washington Carver (1864-1943) developed hundreds of unexpected products from everyday plants. Join us for a free teacher viewing and explore the Museum's latest exhibition, George Washington Carver; then explore Underground Adventure and discover the secrets of soil. Hear from Field Museum scientists and participate in a variety of hands-on activities that you can use in the classroom. Earn 3 CPDUs.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008 from 4pm-7pm
Free; Pre-registration required.
Visit our web site at www.fieldmuseum.org or call 312.665.7500 to register for this program.

Carver: The People's Scientist
Explore the impassioned life of George Washington Carver--educator, scientist and visionary. Learn how Carver worked towards achieving social justice through science education and how the groundwork he laid in the early twentieth century continues to guide scientific practice today. An exhibition tour, Harris Educational Loan resources and hands-on activities will fully prepare you to bring Carver's legacy to life in your classroom and at The Field Museum. Continental breakfast provided. Earn 5 CPDUs. Grades K - 12.
Saturday, Feb 16, 2008; 9am-3pm
$40; $28 members
Visit our web site at www.fieldmuseum.org or call 312.665.7055 to register for this program.
 

HARRIS EDUCATIONAL LOAN CENTER
Bring the treasures of The Field Museum into your classroom and home! Check out portable exhibit cases and experience boxes for an in-depth investigation into botany and the life of George Washington Carver.

NEW! Experience Box: George Washington Carver
Experience the life of George Washington Carver through a variety of hands-on objects, photographs, books, posters, costumes, videos, and educational materials related to his life and work.

Hours: Tuesdays-Fridays 10am-5pm and Saturdays 9am-4pm (Closed Sundays, Mondays and Holidays)
Phone: (312) 665-7555
E-mail: harrisloan@fieldmuseum.org
Harris Registration Fees:
Individual teachers: $30; Home School teachers, parents and families: $60; Museum members: $30.
New! School group rates: Register 10-19 teachers: $20/teacher; Register 20 or more teachers: $15/teacher.
 

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION PROGRAMS

Stewardship Workdays at Beaubien Woods Forest Preserve
1st Saturday of each month
9am-12pm
Join Field Museum staff for monthly volunteer stewardship workdays at Beaubien Woods Forest Preserve. Workdays involve cutting brush, seed collecting, invasive weed removal and opportunities to learn about the Preserves unique environment and history.
To register and receive directions to the site contact Christy Page at (312) 665-7443 or email cpage@fieldmuseum.org.