School Programs

Educational Programs

General Tours

The Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art offers tours to school groups. Teachers must arrange a tour date and time by calling the Museum at 630.833.1616 during Museum hours.

Admission is $5.00 per person for organized school groups.

Tours are offered Tuesday through Friday. The first tour starts at 10:00 a.m. and the last start time is 3:30 p.m. Tours include a brief introduction to the Museum or specific curriculum content. Specific topics are available by request. Following the introduction, students go on a “scavenger hunt” throughout the Museum to locate answers related to the exhibits. During this time, students will also be permitted to visit the Museum Shop if allowed by the teacher(s). Total visiting time for school groups is approximately one and a half hours not to exceed two hours.

Scavenger Hunt Quiz

The scavenger hunt quiz is on a third-grade reading level and pertains to all sections of the Museum. Download theScavenger Hunt here. The group splits in half to explore the Museum (2 to 3 students per scavenger hunt). The students answer questions by finding the exhibits. Large groups are split into two sections of the Museum – the Carvings Hall in the front and the Rock and Mineral Experience and Special Exhibit Hall in the back. The groups switch after 15-20 minutes.

Museum Shop

With advanced notice, small groups of students may visit the Museum Shop during their tour. Adult supervision is required at all times. A time limit may be required for large groups.

Teachers may also choose to preorder from the shop and pick up on the day of the tour. If choosing this option, please use the Museum Shop Pre-Order Form and email the shop manager your requested order.
Please allow a minimum of 2 weeks to prepare your order.

Parking

School buses are not allowed in the roundabout. Buses must enter from the south entrance, let off groups by the front door and park on the north side of the Museum. A bus parking map will be sent to school groups coming by bus. All students must be dropped off and picked up by the Museum’s south entrance. Students will not be permitted to walk through the parking lot after the tour. Teachers and group leaders are responsible for contacting bus drivers at the completion of their tour to pick up students at the front entrance.

Lunch Space

The Lizzadro Museum does not allow food or beverages in the Museum. However groups may contact the Oak Brook Park District located south of the Museum to rent lunch space and/or use the play area before or after their tour. Please contact Katie Basile by email kbasile@obparks.org for your request. Please include the following in your email: date, time, and number of participants. At least 2 weeks advanced notice is preferred. A fee may be required for non-resident groups. They offer a play area designed for all abilities, indoor and outdoor lunch space, aquatic facilities, and hiking trails. The Park District’s website is available here: www.obparks.org.

Virtual Tours 

The Museum is now available at home or school! See your favorite exhibits, or find a new favorite. Watch videos, scroll through images, and listen to narrations of the Museum’s most impressive pieces. Click here to visit.

Please contact the educator for more information.

Ask a Geologist

This virtual, interactive activity will provide students an opportunity to have all of their earth science questions answered by a geologist at the Museum. This program is available with advanced notice and costs $20 for a 30-minute virtual session for up to 30 students per session. Please contact the educator to schedule your session. 

Can’t come to the Museum? We can come to you!

The Museum can provide programing at your school or library. Popular programs include:

•    Special Events: Science Nights, Promotional Events, etc.
•    Rock and Mineral Identification
•    Volcanoes
    Jewelry-Making
    “The Fossil Lady” living history presentation
    More specific programs tailored to your group’s needs

Reach out to our Educator for more information!

Download the Educational Brochure Here. (PDF)

For Rockhounds

Virtual Tour
Explore the Museum VIRTUALLY!

Explore the Museum's hidden treasures from home!

Rocky Homepage edited
Play, Watch & Learn with Rocky!

Learn about Earth Science with Rocky the Rockhound!

The Earth Science Club of Northern Illinois

...is a club dedicated to rock hounds (young and old) find out about field trips and information on rocks, minerals and fossils especially the Mazon Creek fossils of Illinois. www.esconi.org.

West Suburban Lapidary Club

...is a club dedicated to lapidary hobbyists. If you are interested in learning how to cut & polish stones and silversmithing this is it! www.westsuburbanlapidaryclub.com.

Lapidary Links

Magazines, clubs, classes, shows, and more. Find the list of links here.