Welcome

The CNSE Children's Museum of Science and Technology (CNSE CMOST), part of the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE), is the only science center in Tech Valley designed specifically for kids and parents to Explore, Discover, and Imagine the world of science together!

What's Happening at CNSE CMOST!

Wednesday, July 30
10:00 – 11:30 AM
Sensory Play: Clouds
Join us in to the GE Junior Discovery room for a hands-on sensory science activity designed for younger children.  This week we will experiment making clouds and learning more about how they’re formed in our environment in this drop-in program. Pre-registration is not required, and is included with museum admission. Recommended for children 2 – 6 years of age.

Thursday, July 31
Engineer It!: The Science of Ice Cream
3:30 – 4:30 PM
Stop in and investigate just what makes ice cream so “cool?”  In this hands-on investigation, participants will learn about the history of ice cream making, create some ice cream concoctions of their own and experiment with different ways of freezing this tasty treat.  Ages 5+, pre-registration is required, free for CNSE CMOST members, $2.00 for non-members plus admission to the museum.

Tuesday, August 5
3:00 - 3:30 PM
Science Story Time
Join a museum educator for this program sponsored by Target. Participants will read a science story, enjoy an activity and more! There is no pre-registration required and this activity is included with museum admission. Activities are recommended for children 2-6 years of age.

View the Detailed Calendar

Summer Science Camps

Summer Science Camp!
through - August 29
Weekly Science Camps
For kids ages 5 - 14 years of age

The CNSE CMOST summer science camp line-up is here! With our hands-on camps, CNSE CMOST offers children ages 5 to 14 an opportunity to be junior scientists for the summer. Camp activities include science experiments, studies, observations and more.
Learn about our wide variety of one-week camp sessions by clicking here.

Explore the Newest Exhibits

Magnetic Ball Wall
Discover your inner physicist at CNSE CMOST’s Magnetic Ball Wall! Construct a
path that twists and turns or create a direct route and see how long it takes for the ball to travel from the beginning to the end. Learn about kinetic and potential energy, momentum and the force of gravity as you explore and experiment with the Magnetic Ball Wall.

Skyline Tool Box
Design, build, test, and engineer 3D structures with CNSE CMOST’s Skyline Tool Box.  This new exhibit, designed by Chicago Children’s Museum, provides a design-it-yourself experience with real hardware, tools, and materials that allow you to create imaginative, original structures that are big enough to walk inside. Visit the Skyline Tool Box exhibit and see what you can construct!