The Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival was founded in 2014 to establish Chicago as a prominent center for the art of puppetry. This biennial Festival presents the highest quality local, national, and international puppet shows in venues across the city. Invited artists lead workshops, public presentations and talks as an integral part of the Festival offerings. Additionally, the Festival hosts the Volkenburg Puppetry Symposium devoted to the advancement of scholarship and research in the field of puppetry.

The Festival includes numerous family friendly performances at several locations in the city. See the complete list of family friendly performances here.

Applications for Science Minors Open Now

The youth development program at the Museum of Science and Industry invites teens to learn about science, gain public speaking skills and conduct experiments with Museum guests while fulfilling service learning hours.

Science Minors attend 10 weeks of science education and training, then volunteer to conduct interactive science experiments for Museum guests. Students must be ages 14 to 18 to participate. There is no charge for this program. We offer three sessions during the school year: fall, winter and spring. Each 10-week session meets on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon.

Learn More

Following major renovations, the entire first floor of the Sulzer Regional Library (4455 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago) is now dedicated to children's services. They have three play spaces for babies-toddlers, toddlers-young children, and older kids. They offer programs for ages 0-5 every day at 10am.

Here are a few upcoming programs:

Chess Club (Grades 3+ / Ages 8+)

4-5 pm, 2nd & 4th Thursdays of the month: Dec. 13 & 27, Jan. 10 & 24, & Feb. 14, 4-5 pm

Our chess expert is ready to teach you the basics or help you improve your game. No registration required.

Chicago Student Invention Convention (Grades 4-7 / Ages 9-13)

4-5 pm, Jan. 2, 16 & 30, Feb. 6 & 20

This program takes students through the invention process from brainstorming to presenting a prototype, emphasizing skills such as creative problem-solving, resilience, and communication. Students are encouraged to attend all five sessions if possible and may be invited to attend the city-wide Invention Convention in April.

Tween Book Club (Grades 4-7 / Ages 9-13)

4-5 pm, Dec. 26 & Jan. 23

Please join our popular middle grade book club as we read and discuss a book selected by the group. Stop by the Children's Reference Desk or check the book club shelves by the elevator for the latest title. Please register online at ChiPubLib.org.

Tween Service Learning Club (Grades 5-8 / Ages 10-14)

3-4 pm, Dec. 27 & Jan. 24

Service Learning Club participants complete volunteer hours by working on prepared tasks and projects that will vary month to month. If interested in more hours, you can develop a project with a staff member during this time. No registration required.

Tween Writing Club (Grades 4-7 / Ages 9-13)

4-5 pm, Dec. 12, Jan. 9, & Feb. 13

Meet other young writers and hone your skills. No registration required, but space is limited to 10 participants.

Check our their web site for a complete listing of programs for all ages.

Davidson Fellows Scholarship – www.DavidsonGifted.org/Fellows

 

2019 Davidson Fellows $50,000, $25,000 and $10,000 Scholarships

The Davidson Institute for Talent Development offers high-achieving young people across the country the opportunity to be named a 2019 Davidson Fellow, an honor accompanied by a $50,000, $25,000 or $10,000 scholarship in recognition of a significant piece of work in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Music, Literature, Philosophy or Outside the Box. Applicants must submit an original piece of work that is recognized as significant by experts in the field and that has the potential to make a positive contribution to society. The scholarship may be used at any accredited college or university. The deadline to apply is Feb. 13, 2019. 

The Students Involved with Technology Conference is an annual conference for 3rd through 12th grade students, occurring at several sites throughout Illinois. It originated in Bloomington-Normal and has since expanded. So what makes the SIT Conference stand out? It is also completely presented by 3rd-12th grade students. While adult volunteers from local schools and the community help the day run smoothly, all presentations are prepared and presented by the students!

The 2019 Students Involved with Technology Conference will be February 9, 2019 from  8:30-2:00.

Please note:

• Persons NOT registered for the conference will NOT be allowed to enter a conference site. 
• A $15 processing fee will be charged for registration cancelled prior to January 16, 2019. No refunds will be issued after deadline. There are NO on-site registrations or attendee substitutions.
  

Registration:

Participant, Presenter & Sponsor Registration

• Bensenville | Register online or use mail-in registration 
• Berwyn | Register online or use mail-in registration 
• DeKalb | Register online or use mail-in registration 
• Lake Forest | Register online or use mail-in registration 
• Normal | Register online or use mail-in registration 

Volunteer Registration

• Bensenville | https://goo.gl/forms/2JIT6itWrqICkymh1
• Berwyn | https://goo.gl/forms/xPeMjtpsAxA9S14T2
• DeKalb | https://goo.gl/forms/VqNSnjr1KqrpDDc92
• Lake Forest | https://goo.gl/forms/zhxQCKAUzldYmJQH3
• Normal | coming soon

See www.sitconference.org for complete details.

Amazon has a program whereby not for profits can receive money when people shop, called Amazon Smile.  This week (through November 2nd) Amazon has increased the percentage they give from 0.5% to 5%! Won't you consider designating CGCC as your Amazon Smile recipient?

Do you know a gifted child with financial constraints who could do so much given just a little boost? There are three scholarships available for gifted children in Illinois. Nominations are due in November - so do not delay! Nominate them today!

Carole Morreale Scholarship for a students in grade 1 - 8 demonstrating excellent in language arts or math. This is a $1000 cash award named in honor of an early IAGC member and tireless advocate for gifted children. Learn more here:    https://iagc.wufoo.com/forms/m1h9egsi0412h5k/

Distinguished Student Scholarship provides up to $1000 to support for a student in grade 9 - 12 in an academic endeavor. Applicants must demonstrate excellence in one or more of the following areas: visual or performing arts, academic achievement, or service and leadership. Learn more here: https://iagc.wufoo.com/forms/x1n3y3br0hfqgdr/

SENG GERI Scholarship for a middle school student to attend a two week long residential STAR camp through the Gifted Education Resource Institute at Purdue University. Learn more here:    https://www.chicagogiftedcommunity.org/2019-GERI-Scholarship

Registration is open for the Fall 2018 Super Saturday class session, scheduled for October 20th, October 27th, November 3rd, November 10th, & November 17, 2018. They over classes for all ages: Kindergarten to Adult. See their web site for details: https://friendsofthegifted.coursestorm.com/

Here is a nice summary from the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events August 23, 2018 email newsletter.

Museums

Museum of Science and Industry Free Admission for Illinois residents September 4-6, 10-13, 17-20, 24-27, 9:30am-4pm Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. Lake Shore Dr.   Visit the largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere during one of the Illinois Free Days (Museum Entry is free for all Illinois residents who show valid proof of residency!) Housed in the only remaining building from the 1893 World's Fair, Museum of Science and Industry is a Chicago must-see.

John G. Shedd Aquarium Illinois Resident Discount/Free General Admission Days Tuesday, September 4 - Sunday, September 30, 9am-6pm Shedd Aquarium, 1200 S. Lake Shore Dr.   Illinois residents enjoy FREE admission to Shedd Aquarium on select free days throughout the year!

Adler Planetarium Illinois Resident Discount Days  Sunday September 9-Sunday, September 16, 9:30am-4pm Museum Campus, 1300 S. Lake Shore Dr.   Illinois residents can enjoy complimentary general admission on Illinois Resident Discount Days. A valid ID with an Illinois address is required for these special admission prices.

Field Museum Just for Illinois residents: Spend a day at the Museum-for free! Saturday, September 15, Friday, September 17 and Sunday, September 30  9am-5pm, with last admission at 4pm Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Dr.   On Free Admission Days, Basic admission is free for Illinois residents with proof of residency.   Free Admission Days are the perfect opportunity to explore our general admission exhibitions with your family or a group of science-loving friends.

2 Days of 2e virtual conference is for parents, educators, and clinicians, to help bring out the best and raise self-esteem in 2e learners (gifted with a learning difference). 12 renowned experts and innovators discuss topics from (Mis)identification, anxiety, and perfectionism, to underachievement and advocacy. Participants learn how to use research-based tools for their home, classroom or clinical office. 

Fees:

Individual - $99.00

Group - $89.00/person (For Groups of 5+)