The Education Office FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

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Q: What is the difference between the Education Office and the Lederman Science Center?

The Education Office is in charge of all the programs, classes, events, and workshops. The Lederman Science Center is the venue for many of these programs and houses the Teacher Resource Center, hands-on exhibits, a lab and a store selling logo items and science toys. The Education Office staff works on both the 15th floor of Wilson Hall and at the Lederman Science Center. The main office is on the 15th floor.

Q: What are the hours of the Lederman Science Center?

The center is open Monday to Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM and Saturday 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Q: What activities do you offer for children? For families?

Programs for children of all ages include:

• Science Adventures offered throughout the year. Go to the Science Adventure FAQ for more information.
• Get to Know Fermilab Guided Tours every Wednesday, 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM.
• Ask-a-Scientist offered the first Sunday of each month, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
• Fermilab Prairie Plant Survey offered twice a month during the summer
  
• Once-a-year special events.
• Check the calendar for more information:

Q: I would like to bring my class to Fermilab for a tour/field trip. What do I need to do?

1st-8th grade teachers are required to attend a workshop that corresponds to the field trip. Read about field trips. High school teachers may bring high school students. More information may be found at ed.fnal.gov/programs/tours/. Contact Maureen Hix at 630-840-5588.

Q: I would like to bring my home school group to Fermilab for a field trip. What do I need to do?

All educators 1st-8th grade teachers are required to attend a workshop that corresponds to the field trip. Read about field trips. Educators may bring high school aged students (14 and above) to Fermilab for tours. Contact Maureen Hix at 630-840-5588.

Q: Are there any tours available for my family?

Families with children aged 10 and above may join the Wednesday Get to Know Fermilab tour at 10:30am. More information. For families with under aged children may visit the Lederman Science Center.

Q: Are private tours available?

Groups of 10 or more visitors (minimum age 10) may schedule private tours by contacting Maureen Hix at 630-840-5588. More Information.

Q: Do you offer programs for Scouts?

Our Scout Program offers two-hour badge sessions for Boy Scouts, Webelos and Junior Girl Scouts at the Lederman Science Center on Saturdays and days off school. Contact Sue Sheehan at 630-840-5058.

Q: What volunteer opportunities are available for members of the technical staff?

Check out our list of volunteer opportunities.

Q: As a Fermilab employee, how can I arrange for a scientist to visit my child's school?

Contact Andrea Cox at 630-840-8259.

Q: I want to visit my child's classroom; what resources are available to me?

The Teacher Resource Center has a variety of demos and activities you may borrow. Contact Susan Dahl at x3094.

Q: What resources are available in the Teacher Resource Center?

Contact Susan Dahl of the Teacher Resource Center at x3094 to find about:

• Instructional resources that a teacher can preview.
• Good scientific books and activities for children.
• Fermilab materials available for teachers.

Q: What internships or job shadowing possibilities are available for high school students?

There are two internship programs:

• Target: Science and Engineering. Contact Sandra Charles at 630-840-4574.
• QuarkNet Summer Research. Contact Tanja Waltrip at 630-840-3929.

We have limited opportunities for job shadowing. Contact Maureen Hix at 630-840-5588. Students may apply through their high school's accredited job shadow program authorized by their school counselor.

Q: Can I use a project/task code to purchase items from the gift shop for a Fermilab event?

Yes. Contact Andrea Cox at x8259.

Q: Do you charge sales tax for gift shop purchases?

Yes, if they're personal purchases. If they're purchased for a Fermilab event/with Fermilab money, it is tax exempt.

Q: I need a Fermilab logo item not sold at the store for a special event. Who can I contact? What do I do?

Contact Andrea Cox, the store manager, at x8259 for information.

Q: How does Fermilab Friends for Science Education, FFSE, support Fermilab education programs?

Unlike the Fermilab Education Office, Fermilab Friends for Science Education, an Illinois 501c3 not-for-profit organization, can obtain funds that Fermi Research Alliance, as the manager of Fermilab cannot obtain. FFSE members, donors and contributors support a variety of requests from the Fermilab Education Office.