Illinois

Exploring the Wonders of Science: Chicago With Your Grandchild

Program No. 23719RJ
Alongside your grandchild, discover the wonders of Science while exploring the Windy City. Practice your problem solving skills as you build a robot and design a zoo habitat for a Lion.

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Protecting the Environment

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more

At a Glance

Alongside your grandchild, discover the wonders of science while exploring the Windy City. When you’re not making new friends big and small, you’ll get a chance to practice problem-solving skills with your grandchild as you build a robot, learn the scientific method while cruising the Chicago River, or design a zoo habitat for an African lion.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to 2 miles a day and standing at museums and on walking explorations.

What You'll Learn

  • Explore some of Chicago’s most iconic museums and learn about the animals at the Lincoln Park Zoo.
  • Build your very own robot and see it in action at the end of the workshop.
  • Explore Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry with fun and engaging activities included for all ages
Featured Expert
All trip experts
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Aurora Cruz Nelson
Aurora Cruz Nelson is a seasoned world traveler and infinite life learner. She strives to ensure that others are positively impacted by their travel; her experience has given her a global perspective that she wants to share. She is motivated by her dedication to quality life for all. Aurora has held positions in education, nonprofits, and travel sectors. Her strengths include creativity, curiosity, and gratitude. Her favorite person is her teenage son, who she took on a six-country gap year.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

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Sue Shoemaker View biography
Sue Shoemaker, a native-born Michigander, lives on a farm in the “Thumb.” A gratifying teaching and counseling career at the middle school level inspired Sue to become a group leader in order to share her passion for learning and travel with others. Sue has led a variety of Road Scholar programs: study cruises on the Great Lakes and the Columbia River, as well as land-based programs in Chicago, Detroit, Albuquerque (Balloon Fiesta), and northern Michigan.
Profile Image of Aurora Cruz Nelson
Aurora Cruz Nelson View biography
Aurora Cruz Nelson is a seasoned world traveler and infinite life learner. She strives to ensure that others are positively impacted by their travel; her experience has given her a global perspective that she wants to share. She is motivated by her dedication to quality life for all. Aurora has held positions in education, nonprofits, and travel sectors. Her strengths include creativity, curiosity, and gratitude. Her favorite person is her teenage son, who she took on a six-country gap year.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
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6 days
5 nights
12 meals
5 B 3 L 4 D
DAY
1
Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Chicago, IL
D
AC Hotel by Marriott Chicago Downtown

Activity note: Hotel check-in from 4:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).

Afternoon: Program Registration: 3:00 p.m. After you have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the lobby to register with the program staff and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please check in with your Group Leader. Orientation: 5:00 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. This is a Road Scholar Grandparent program. Grandparents are responsible for their grandchildren. If/when separate age group activities are conducted concurrently, program staff will supervise. Children are never to be left unsupervised. Transportation will be provided by motorcoach. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

DAY
2
Museum of Science and Industry, Robot Building
Chicago, IL
B,L,D
AC Hotel by Marriott Chicago Downtown

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; about 1.5 hours total riding time. Walking and standing at museum according to personal choice. Sitting, bending, and assembling Robots for 3 hour workshop.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will take the motorcoach to the Museum of Science and Industry, where we will take a closer look at some of our planet’s natural forces at work. As we explore we will consider the relationship between humans and their environment while observing chemical, physical, and mathematical principles.

Lunch: At the museum.

Afternoon: In the afternoon, we will learn about robotic and engineering concepts as we build robots of our own! Exercise critical thinking and spatial awareness skills while considering how robots may be helpful in learning more about the planet.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
3
Science Cruise, Nature Museum, Ecology Activity
Chicago, IL
B,L
AC Hotel by Marriott Chicago Downtown

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; about 30 min. total riding time. 1.5 hours on boat. Walking 2+ miles; city streets, sidewalks, nature trails. Walking and standing at museum according to personal choice.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will head to the Chicago River for a scenic and science-filled cruise out onto Lake Michigan. We’ll be joined by Professor Mercury who will introduce us to the Scientific Method and conduct cool experiments right in front of our very eyes! Upon our return we will stroll over to Millennium Park and enjoy a boxed lunch beside some of Chicago’s most famous sculptures.

Lunch: Boxed lunch.

Afternoon: We will board the motorcoach and head to the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. A Museum Educator will lead us as we wander the museum grounds which include prairie, wetland, and urban woodland ecosystems. We will observe living and non-living things and consider how both interact and rely on each other to create a healthy system.

Dinner: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
4
Chicago Zoo, Design a Habitat
Chicago, IL
B,L,D
AC Hotel by Marriott Chicago Downtown

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; about half hour total riding time. Walking and standing at museum according to personal choice.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Get ready to unleash your wild side as we venture into the Lincoln Park Zoo for a day filled with wildlife! We’ll get the chance to see more than 200 species from all over the globe and learn about the Zoo’s current conservation efforts.

Lunch: At the zoo.

Afternoon: After lunch we will meet with a Zoo Educator who will teach us about animal care, welfare, and what it takes to make a good home for a zoo animal. We will apply this knowledge into designing a habitat of our own for one of the zoo’s most popular residents: The African Lion!

Dinner: Dinner at a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
5
Field Museum, Free Afternoon, Farewell Dinner
Chicago, IL
B,D
AC Hotel by Marriott Chicago Downtown

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach, about half hour total riding time. Walking and standing at museum according to personal choice.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Our morning will be spent exploring the Field Museum. We will have the opportunity to explore an immersive exhibit that will shrink us to 1/100th of our size to learn about soil science and the animals and plants that make our soil so dynamic. The coach will then depart for Navy Pier for lunch options.

Lunch: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions.

Afternoon: At your leisure. Take this opportunity to explore the city. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Dinner: At a local restaurant. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

DAY
6
Program Concludes
Chicago, IL
B

Activity note: Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m.

Breakfast: At the hotel. This concludes our program.

Morning: If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!






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