Many family friendly events are included in this year's Festival. See the complete schedule at the festival web site.

From Fermilab's 50th Anniversary web site: http://50.fnal.gov/

Come celebrate our 50th anniversary with us!

1967 marked the birth of Fermilab. That year the lab hired its first employees and began operations in Illinois.

To celebrate our 50th anniversary, we are offering numerous events for the public to enjoy, to find out more about our laboratory, and to learn about the research we do to advance humankind’s understanding of energy, matter, space and time. Fermilab has an exciting history of discovery and innovation and has made important contributions to the ultimate goal of understanding how the universe works. And we have ambitious plans for new research projects in the years ahead.

We welcome you to tour our laboratory, see our exhibits, take in a show, view our art gallery, enjoy the view from the 15th floor of Wilson Hall and ask a scientist about the universe. Our site is open to the public every day of the year, and we offer many education, arts and visitor programs for the public to enjoy.

The highlight in 2017 will be our big Open House on Saturday, Sept. 23. We’ll post more information and registration information in the spring of 2017. We also will add additional photo galleries, a history timeline and other information to this website throughout our anniversary year, so come back and visit!

Here are the main events we have planned for 2017:

Colloquium: Fermilab and the Foundations of the Standard Model

Wednsday, Jan. 11, 4 p.m.
Scientist Dan Green discusses Fermilab’s leadership in the exploration of the Standard Model throughout its 50-year history. Now exploration beyond the Standard Model is the future, with Fermilab hosting DUNE and CERN hosting the High-Luminosity LHC. This event is free.

Concert and kickoff party

Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, 7 p.m.
Join us for a concert by Mucca Pazza at 8 p.m., preceded by a party with dessert, music, an art exhibit, Einstein, Mr. Freeze and some very cool science demos at 7 p.m. Tickets are required.

Fermilab Colloquium: Enrico Fermi: The Pope of Physics

Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017, 4 p.m.
University of Pennsylvania scientist Gino Segre and writer Bettina Hoerlin discuss the incredible achievements of Fermilab’s namesake, Enrico Fermi, especially how he was shaped by history and how he, in turn, shaped history. This event is free.

Fermilab’s Greatest Hits

Friday, Jan. 27, 2017, 8 p.m.
Senior Fermilab scientist Chris Quigg presents Fermilab’s Greatest Hits: Highlights from the First Fifty Years. Tickets are required.

Annual Family Open House

Sunday, Feb. 12, 2017, 1-5 p.m.
Bring your kids to Fermilab’s annual Family Open House in Wilson Hall with hands-on activities for the entire family. Event is free and supported by Fermilab Friends for Science Education.

PechaKucha Night Batavia

Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017, 7 p.m.
Fermilab hosts PechaKucha Night Batavia, which is an informal and fun gathering where creative people get together and share their ideas, works, thoughts in the PechaKucha format: 20 slides, 20 seconds each.

Annual Wonders of Science show

Sunday, March 19, 2017, 1 p.m.
Watch amazing science demonstrations at our annual Wonders of Science show. Tickets are required.

Angela Gonzales art exhibit opening reception

Thursday, June 1, 2017, 5 p.m.
Fermilab founding director Robert Wilson hand-picked artist Angela Gonzales to help create a visual identity for Fermilab. “A Lasting Mark: Artist Angela Gonzales at Fermilab, 1967-1998” showcases her bold, inspiring work over 31 years at the lab. The exhibit will run from June 1 to Sept. 30.

50th Anniversary Symposium

Wednesday, June 7, 2017 – by invitation only
Fermilab invites scientists from around the world to gather and discuss the lab’s achievements and plans for the future. More information and registration page will be posted in spring 2017.

Social Media Celebration

Thursday, June 15, 2017
Fermilab’s was the third website in the United States. So what better way to recognize our birthday than with an online celebration? Join us through social media to celebrate Fermilab’s 50th birthday. It was on June 15, 1967, that the lab’s first employees reported to work in an office in Illinois.

Open House

Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Take behind-the-scene tours of the major research facilities at Fermilab. Event is free. More information and registration page will be posted in summer 2017.

In addition to these special events, Fermilab offers numerous tours and programs throughout the year:

Guided and self-guided tours

Science and education programs

Ask a Scientist program

Arts and lecture programs

Nature walks and programs

For more information and a calendar of all public events, visit events.fnal.gov.

Help your high school teens expand their interest in aquatic science and plan for an amazing spring and summer. Applications for many of Shedd’s summer teen programs are available now!

Teen Work Study

Spring Club Shedd

High School Lake Ecology

High School Marine Biology

Have you heard of Institute for Educational Advancement's Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship?   It is the only merit-based, need-blind high school scholarship to highly gifted students across the United States!  If your student is hoping to attend a high school beyond your local public school, this might be the scholarship for her!  Applications are due in April, but don't wait until the last minute to look into applying as there are some requirements which will take some advanced planning, such as taking the SAT.  Check it out now!  Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship: http://educationaladvancement.org/caroline-d-bradley-scholarship/ 

CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES 2016 WORKSHOPS

FESTIVAL RUNS OCTOBER 28-NOVEMBER 6

2016 WORKSHOP HIGHLIGHTS:
STOP-MOTION ANIMATION, COMPUTER ANIMATION, ANIMATRONICS, CHARACTER CREATION, STORYTELLING AND STORY DEVELOPMENT, LIGHTING, HOW TO PITCH YOUR STORY AND FILM, AND SESAME STREET

REGISTRATION BEGINS, OCTOBER 6 AT www.facets.org 

CHICAGO (October 4, 2016) - Oscar® qualifying Chicago International Children's Film Festival has announced the complete lineup of workshops for the 2016 Festival, which runs October 28-November 6 at Chicago's Facets Theatre, Music Box Theatre, ArcLight Cinemas, Alliance Française de Chicago, Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, and Lake Forest's Gorton Community Center. Established in 1983, the Festival is the nation's largest for children and teens. In addition to presenting over 280 all new animated, live action, documentary and experimental shorts and features from approximately 44 countries, the 2016 Festival will feature 10 interactive and engaging workshops led by professional filmmakers and special guests. Registration for the Festival Workshops begin Thursday, October 6th. Participants can register at www.facets.org or by calling 773-281-9075 ext. 3011. 

CGCC member Catherine Gruener just published a new book. Catherine also is the creator, along with her son, of the CGCC Elmhurst Book and Social Clubs.

Check out exclusive Sneak Peak and Excerpts from Parenting Young Gifted here: https://docs.com/catherine-gruener/6556/sneak-peak-parenting-young-gifted-children-what-to

Parenting a young gifted child can be challenging. Combining current research with hands-on examples, this book offers readers insight, understanding, clarifications, and strategies for parenting young gifted children.

Ebook: http://www.blurb.com/b/7380025-parenting-young-gifted-children?ebook=596372

Paper Books: http://www.blurb.com/b/7380025-parenting-young-gifted-children

Looking for some new ideas? Member and CGCC Curiosity Hacked chapter co-leader, Elaine Luther, shared some of her favorite STEM resources.

What to listen to and watch -

SciGirls on PBS and online

Dragonfly TV (old show)

Tumble podcast (listen with your kids in the car.)

Nova

YouTube Channels:

In a Nutshell

SciShow

SciShow Kids

Crash Courses with John and Hank Green*  

Veritasium

* Be aware of the Anatomy course!  Some parents may or may not be ready for some of this content.

Activities and classes:

First Lego League

First Robotics

Science Olympiad

Edgewater Workshop

The Laboratory

Kids Science Labs

This time of year is so stressful, as kids get adjusted to a new school situation and parents figure out what is expected of them by their children's teachers.  What is the one thing that causes you the most stress this time of year?  Contribute to our forum on stress!  Find the forum on the resources page of our website.  

Click here for complete details.

For eleven days in October, the city’s top museums are joining together to celebrate Museum Week. Take advantage of discounted admissions, special exhibits, giveaways and more at each of the participating museums. Illinois residents will receive up to 25% off admissions at all museums. From culture to constellations, art to animals, this is your chance to experience Chicago’s most beloved institutions in a whole new way!

Click here for complete details.