Chicago merit trip details

This itinerary is SUBJECT TO CHANGE before the trip dates, but should help students get a better idea of what they're competing for and help parents get a better idea of what students will be doing in Chicago. This trip is intended to be both educational and fun. Only the top 12 students (as chosen by our competition rules, listed in another post) will be eligible to go on this exciting trip.

Students who wish to go on the trip MUST turn in all paperwork on time and meet our eligibility requirements. They also MUST be able to arrive on time for departure and have a parent/family member able to pick them up on time when we return. Please look at arrival/departure dates/times to make sure this is something your family can arrange.  Pickup and dropoff will both occur in downtown Muncie at the Patterson building, but happen at times outside of those when the MITS bus usually runs -- this is why it's important to make sure you can arrange for someone to pickup and drop off your student.

Day 1 - Monday March 25
6:00am Departure from Ivy Tech C.C. Patterson Building (108 S Walnut St) (ET).
9:30am Arrival in Chicago (CT). Meet Tour Guide
at the Museum of Science and Industry.
10:30am Admission to the Museum of Science and
Industry, followed by lunch at the Museum.
3:00pm Guided tour of Chicago including Millennium Park, Buckingham Memorial Fountain, Lake Shore Drive, the Loop and much of Chicago's famous architecture.
4:30pm Check into your hotel:
Springhill Suites Chicago O'Hare [8101 W.
Higgins Rd., Chicago, IL (773) 867-0000]
5:30pm Dinner at Gino's Restaurant.
7:30pm View Chicago from atop 360, formerly the
John Hancock Center Observatory.
 
Day 2—Tuesday, March 26
7:30am Breakfast at your hotel.
9:30am Visit the Shedd Aquarium. View over 6,000
aquatic animals and walk the Oceanarium's Pacific Northwest coastal trail. See beluga whales, dolphins, sea otters and seals.
12pm Time for lunch ($10 cash will be provided).
1:30pm Visit the Field Museum of Natural History.
Trace the history of the universe at one of
the world's greatest museums.
5:00pm Dinner at Bubba Gump Shrimp Company at
Navy Pier.
6:30pm Time to visit Navy Pier, one admission ticket
included.
 
Day 3—Wednesday March 27
8:00am Breakfast at your hotel and check out.
10:00am Visit the Lincoln Park Zoo.
Time for lunch ($10 cash will be provided).
2:00pm Visit and tour the University of Chicago
(pending schedule availability).
3:30pm Activity TBD—We are currently trying to schedule a visit to a tech company or startup in Chicago.
5:00pm Time for dinner ($15 cash will be provided).
6:00pm Depart for home (CT).
11:00pm Approximate arrival back at Patterson Building in Muncie (ET).