Explore the art and daily life of one of the world's most enduring civilizations! Use an exciting collection of objects, from scholar's writing supplies to a graphic novel to a 12-foot-long reproduction of a classic Chinese scroll painting, to learn about history and empathy. Note: This box was created to complement The Field Museum's Cyrus Tang Hall of China, but if your class can't make it to the museum (or to the website for a virtual tour), it stands on its own.
Examine these tiny replications of a typical western gold mine and you'll discover the complicated processes and machinery used to harvest this valuable metal. Learn More
Dive into the difficult underground world of coal mining. Complete with tiny workers and machinery, this model exhibits the ways in which we locate and harvest this all-important fuel. Learn More
Prance into the world of the deer, one of our most frequent connections to the natural world. Urban expansion has created the need, however, for drastic measures to keep the numbers of these abundant animals in check. Witness a few of the ways we protect our land when deer run rampant. Learn More
DNA is the thread that connects all life on Earth, from microscopic bacteria, to mushrooms, to humans. Explore DNA and learn how scientists today are using DNA research to expand what we know about life on our planet. Learn More
Dive into the fascinating world of chocolate! Experience the ecological, biological and commercial importance of this treat, with a history dating back to the ancient Maya. Learn More
Soothe yourself with the medicinally important leaves of the witch hazel shrub, a secret salve of the Native Americans have been using for centuries. Fresh leaves and twigs provide an astringent lotion for bruises and wounds, and the dried leaves are known to produce a valuable extract used in internal medicine. Learn More
Follow a wheat stalk from crop field to sandwich bread in its complicated manufacturing process. Sifting, scouring, brushing and milling are all a part of turning wheat into bran oats, germ, gluten, and flour. Learn More
Follow the climbing vanilla vine through its tropical habitat. A member of the orchid family, the bean of the vanilla plant has been used for centuries in Central and South America. Learn More
Tea comes from the young leaves of a tea plant, a shrub cultivated in India, China, Japan, and other countries. Take a look at a sprig from this beautiful shrub, and see the many colors and textures of the various types of tea it is used to make. Learn about the process that can turn one plant into so many products! Learn More
Grade Band
Pre K to 2nd (46)
3rd to 5th (62)
6th to 8th (62)
9th to 12th (58)