Middle School Institutes

Want to take a stroll on Mars? How about an afternoon flight to Europa, a moon of Jupiter, which may have vast oceans under its icy surface? In this unique program, you will learn to navigate our solar system, galaxy, and beyond using the Museum’s cutting-edge three-dimensional digital map of our universe. Digital Universe combines celestial mapmaking with breathtaking and sophisticated data visualization. Using advanced gaming laptops and the Rose Center’s Hayden Planetarium, students will have the incredible opportunity to explore this software and the science behind it.
The Digital Universe Flight School also provides you with the opportunity to learn from the Museum’s considerable space science resources, as well as to meet scientists to learn about careers in astrophysics and Earth science.

Want to learn more about Digital Universe? Check out this cool film The Known Universe.

Here's a video about the Winter 2012 Institute for the Digital Universe Flight School.

Cost: $650 ($625 Members)

Registration Open

Sharks—for more than 400 million years, these fearsome fishes have been among the ocean’s top predators. In this institute, you will use the Museum’s amazing fossil collection to learn about the strange and fascinating history of these extraordinary creatures. Through a combination of hands-on activities and computer-generated graphics, you will build a detailed knowledge of ancient shark biology, behavior, and environments.

Cost: $650 ($625 Members)

Registration Open