Four Illinois Artists Focus on the Environment Jacueline Moses' landscape works investigate the space between our environment and realms of imagination where objects float above distant and exotic lands. Judith Raphael creates a modern day coming-of-age story through portraits and narrative paintings of young women posed on the cusp of adolescene. Kevin Veara draws and paints birds of the Sangamon River Valley, near Springfield, Illinois, that are found in the steep, forested banks and flood plains of the Sangamon River. Mel Watkin's works-on-paper, Mapworks, 2001-2009, are created on out-of-date, used road maps which are altered as she paints and draws on them.

On April 20, 2010 the explosion and sinking of the oil rig Deepwater Horizon in the Gulf of Mexico marked the beginning of what would become the worst environmental disaster in US history. With an estimated 215 million gallons of crude oil spewed into the Gulf over an 87 day period, the devastation to the regions wildlife is unparalleled. Although clean-up operations are in full swing, marine and plant life are suffering in a region that many fear will never be the same again. Join C²ST and Doctors Ilze Berzins & Ken Ramirez from Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium in a timely discussion about one of the nation’s richest environmental regions and what it’s future holds.

Dr. Paul Sereno, University of Chicago

Follow the expeditions that discovered a menagerie of new extinct crocs. Meet colossal SuperCroc, fearsome BoarCroc, agile DogCroc and bizarre DuckCroc, as Sereno paints a vivid picture of these extinct African castaways and tangles with their living descendants to unravel the evolutionary story.

Plants as tall as you are! Nature all around! Learn to care for this diverse habitat. Become a Junior Prairie Ranger. As a ranger, you will learn about the prairie community and participate in activities as prairie stewards throughout the year. All members earn a hat, button and certificate. Participation in the Seed Harvest includes a hot dog lunch. Seed Harvest dates TBD by Fermilab. For students in grades 4-6.

Download a registration form at our website to mail or fax to us.

By the year 2035, it is estimated that our world’s dependent relationship with liquid fossil fuels will reach a staggering 110 million barrels a day, with the largest increase in consumption coming from the current developing world. Increased concern over global climate change and rising competition for dwindling fossil fuel resources will require scientifically advanced and environmentally friendly solutions to solve our worsening energy supply problems. To answer this call for innovation, the U.S. Department of Energy is currently funding two major initiatives at Argonne National Laboratory. One, an Energy Frontier Research Center (EFRC), addresses our fundamental understanding of alternative liquid fuels. The other seeks to create scientifically viable products for large-scale fossil fuel replacement that are both sustainable and have near zero negative environmental impact. Join C2ST as Argonne National Laboratory’s Director Dr. Eric Isaacs and Doctors Seth Snyder & Christopher Marshall discuss Argonne’s current research and the scientific advances that are helping make Future Fuels a reality of today’s world.

This special family adventure is a gateway to adventures in learning. You don't need to be an expert to help your children explore their world through science! Fermilab scientists and engineers will be your guides. Bring your questions. Find out what it is like to be a scientist or engineer. Engaging hands-on stations, projects, puzzles, demonstrations and more will keep you exploring many science subjects. Take home resources, projects and a science toy. For children in grades 1-7.

Download a registration form at our website to mail or fax to us.

Join staff and volunteers in this demonstration of local environmental stewardship. Learn how people work with nature to heal the land, to help restore rare plants & animals. Participants will receive a packet of native wildflower seeds to take home.

Join Chicago Astronomical Society members as they set their telescopes for a peek at the night sky. Follow signs to the viewing site. If the weather is inclement, slides or a video will be shown in the Visitor Center.