For 10-13 year olds, the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is having a solar-car camp/competition.  Directly from their website:

Calling all future scientists, engineers and designers! 

What:  Solar Power-Up is a week-long camp where you will design, test, build and race model solar powered cars.

Who:  10-13 year olds

When and Where:
   Session 1: Monday, July 29 - Friday, August 2, 8:30 a.m. to Noon
   El Valor Carlos Cantu Children & Family Center, 2434 S. Kildare Ave., Chicago, IL 60623

   Session 2: Monday, August 5 - Friday, August 9
   8:30 a.m. to Noon,  Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) Idea Shop, 3440 S. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60616

Cost:  $20 (need-based scholarships available)

How to Apply:  Click here.

Questions?  Call 773-755-5175 or e-mail dbild@naturemuseum.org

Click here to learn all about and get enrolled in Chicago's Summer of Learning!

Taken directly from an email I received....


Mayor Emanuel’s Chicago Summer of Learning, has all of Chicago coming together to support young people in exploring the themes of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) learning.  This summer, the city's partnerships with youth-serving organizations, colleges and universities, museums and cultural institutions, philanthropists, businesses, and citizens will make the whole summer count in a new and different way.  Building on the full school day and the full school year, Chicago is incorporating learning into summer youth programming, launching what could be the largest citywide summer learning campaign in the nation.  Join us by signing up your child and explore opportunities to earn badges that unlock one-of-a-kind experiences and opportunities!

A parent sent this to me and it looks great for all those enthusiastic about LEGOS!  From this link:  LEGO Architects! 
Inspire your budding architects’ creativity at the Robie House as they use LEGOs to create a 3D model of their own floor plan design. A youth educator will facilitate the workshop, guiding participants on window and door placement as well as design concepts such as scale and proportion. Participants take home their floor plan design and receive a photo of their LEGO 3D model. 2 hours.  Workshop appropriate for ages 6 and up with an adult.

A parent passed on this opportunity at Barnes & Noble:  Kids read 8 books (even books they already own or they borrow from the library) and they can earn a free book from the store.

Click here for more details!  Happy summer reading!

Taken directly from the Museum of Science and Industry's Website:  CLICK HERE for all events.

The robots are coming! (And they're here to help.)  Join us April 6-14 for a Robot Block Party at MSI! To celebrate National Robotics Week 2013, we will be demonstrating several different kinds of robots from the U.S. and Japan, offering lectures from some of the top university robotics scholars and presenting special workshops and hands-on activities.

All activities are included in general Museum admission. Times, locations and availability are subject to change.

Each year, the Chicago Herpetological Society holds a Reptile Fest, right near our school at the UIC PE Building located at 901 W. Roosevelt Road.  Many families attend and enjoy it immensely.  Below is a discount coupon I received, and feel free to print it out and bring it with you.  The Reptile Fest is April 13th and 14th, from 10am-5pm. 

I've got 5 free tickets to the show!  Contact me if you'd like one!