Chicago Public Library’s ScienceConnections Discovery Packs, designed for children ages 8 and older, are a treasure trove of books and activities. They provide kids and grown-ups an opportunity to explore STEAM topics in depth through reading and hands-on learning opportunities. As one librarian put it, "Discovery Packs always illicit an ‘oooo...ahhhhh!’ when introduced to caregivers and kiddos for the first time."
In recent years Chicago Public Library’s Children Services and Family Engagement team has been excited to “elevate” the science content in several packs by work with Chicago area cultural partners, such as Chicago Botanic Garden, Lincoln Park Zoo and Griffin Museum of Science and Industry.
Discovery Packs are available at locations across the city. Note that they must be returned to the circulation desk at the location from which they are checked out and they cannot be placed on hold.
Learning adventures await you! Find a Discovery Pack related to your interests at a branch near you today:
- Addition and Subtraction
- Animal Tracks (created in partnership with Lincoln Park Zoo)
- Astronomy
- Aviation
- Bee Bot Robotics
- Birds and Birdwatching
- Brain Builders
- Bridges
- Electricity and Circuits
- Gravity, Forces and Motion
- Magnets
- Magnification
- Marble Run
- Math and Art
- Milkweeds and Monarchs (created in partnership with Chicago Botanic Garden)
- Multiplication and Division
- Numbers
- Phenology (created in partnership with Chicago Botanic Garden)
- Pollinators (created in partnership with Chicago Botanic Garden)
- Rocks and Minerals
- Simple Machines
- Urban Green Spaces (created in partnership with Griffin Museum of Science and Industry)
ScienceConnections programs and collections are made possible in part by S&C Electric Company, Norfolk Southern Corporation, and other generous donors to the Chicago Public Library Foundation.