Program areas at MSI
World-class permanent exhibitions include Science Storms, a 26,000-square-foot exhibit that reveals the extraordinary science behind some of nature's most powerful and compelling phenomena; and You! The Experience, a 15,000-square-foot exhibit that explores the human mind, body and spirit. Other favorite experiences include the U-505 Submarine, the only German U-boat captured during World War II, surrounded by more than 30,000 square feet of artifacts and interactive activities; the Coal Mine, a reproduction of an Illinois coal mine that takes guest down 50 feet in a real hoist to the bottom of a mineshaft; The Great Train Story, a dynamic model display that illustrates modern rail operation; and the Giant Dome Theater, which features educational films, rich in content and presented on Chicago's only five-story, domed wrap-around movie screen.
Museum and Operations, which include Program Support Services and Exhibit Maintenance. These expenses support the Museum's vision of inspiring and motivating children to achieve their full potential in science, technology, and engineering by providing guests and teachers with integrated learning experiences and programming that is centered on exciting and interactive exhibits that help explain how science directly impacts our daily lives.
Educational Programs and Activities. The Museum's Education programming impacts guests and students in the building and in their communities in a variety of ways. MSI offers live science demonstrations, facilitated learning labs for school groups, free teacher development and training, online experiments and lesson plans, after-school science club networks in underserved communities, and a club for teens that helps them learn science skills as they prepare for college.
Retail and supporting services represent various program offerings that enhance the guest experience. These include the musuem store, food services, and parking services.