ILLINOIS

Illinois Archaeology Awareness Month takes place in September. For more information, visit: www.illinoisarchaeology.org

The Burpee Museum of Natural Historyis a hands-on, interactive museum that focuses mainly on paleontology, geology, biology, and Native American life. It offers paleontology and archaeology themed workshops, summer camps and programs for children. For more information, call: (815) 965-3433, or visit: http://www.burpee.org

The Discovery Center Museum is just down the road from the Burpee Museum. Featuring more than 250 hands-on exhibits and a variety of special events and programs each year, this museum works to broaden the minds of people of all ages. For more information, call: (815) 963-6769, or visit: http://www.discoverycentermuseum.org/about/

General John A. Logan Museum
in Murphysboro offers educational programs and events, including Logan Days and Kids Dig It. As part of the Kids Dig It program, students learn techniques of archaeology while working alongside professional archaeologists. For more information, call (618) 684-3455, or visit the museum's Web site at:www.loganmuseum.org/

At The Field Museum in Chicago, Sue, the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex ever unearthed, was put together by a team of museum scientists. Over half a million children have visited Sue at the museum. Another current exhibit is Images from the Afterlife, a look at Egyptian mummies through CT scans and 3-D imaging. The museum also hosts many educational programs. For more information, call (312) 922-9410, or visit its site at: www.fieldmuseum.org/

The Center for American Archaeology in Kampsville has extensive programs for families to explore the excitement of archeology during the summer months. Adults and children learn basic archeological concepts and work with archeologists. Through hands-on activities, children understand native technologies and how archeologists reconstruct the past. Call (618) 653-4316 or visit the website at: http://www.caa-archeology.org/

The University Museum, Southern Illinois University hosts a number of educational programs for schools and the public. For more information, call (618) 453-5388 or visit its Web site at: http://www.museum.siu.edu/.

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