Grainger Science Hub

Now in the Hub

Kingdom Fungi

Fungi are an extensive group of organisms that make up one of the five kingdoms of life on Earth. They are integral to our planet, interconnected with both plants and animals, and found on every continent. Fungi are also incredibly diverse, with 150,000 species known to science and potentially millions more waiting to be documented. Field Museum scientists are active in the lab and in field surveys, having described or reclassified more than 30 species of fungi since 2020 alone.

Come get an up-close look at a selection of fungal decomposers, mutualists, and parasites from the Field’s collection. Specimens include the Clathrus “Stinkhorn” mushroom, the Giant puffball Calvatia gigantea, the Chicago chanterelle Cantharellus chicagoensis, and the beautiful Specklebelly and Antarctic beard lichens (Psudocyphellaria rufovirescens and Usnea aurantiacoatra). And if you look closely, you’ll find Ophiocordyceps robertsii on display; a relative of the parasitic “zombie fungi”, this species has evolved to infect and ultimately erupt a fruiting body out of vegetable caterpillars.

Asteroid Bennu Sample Study

The Field Museum has been chosen by NASA as one of the research institutions receiving a study sample of asteroid Bennu, collected from space during NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission. Come explore similar carbonaceous chondrite meteorite specimens from the Field's collection while learning more about the OSIRIS-REx mission, asteroid Bennu, and what Field Museum scientists hope to learn while studying this incredibly rare asteroid sample.

Visitors are also invited to touch a large sample of the Canyon Diablo meteorite, the most studied iron meteorite in the world. The impact from Canyon Diablo's fall to Earth about 50,000 years ago created the massive and famously-preserved Barringer Meteorite Crater in Arizona.

Terrestrial Parasite Tracker

Still curious about bloodsuckers? Come learn how you can help add to the Field's current research projects on these and other parasites. View tiny parasitic specimens, then try to match them to a magnified view of their bloodsucking mouthparts.

Science Hub at Home activities

Think and act like a scientist at home with Science Hub at Home—a collection of activities brought to you by the Grainger Science Hub team. Each resource is inspired by some of our favorite items from the Field's collections. Gather a few supplies from around your house and get ready to make your own paint, jump like a frog, and go on a scavenger hunt!

Enjoy Science Hub at Home activities by downloading our printables featured below and find even more of these at-home resources in the Learning Resources hub.