What is Our
Burpee Institute?
Museums shouldn’t just be places where people come to see science, they should be places where people become part of it.
Science needs places where people can plug in.
There is no single path into science. Whether you are an elementary student discovering dinosaurs, a high schooler searching for college experience, or an educator wanting to work alongside curators, the Burpee Institute creates fluid entry points along the science pipeline where anyone can plug in. Our goal isn’t to force everyone toward the same destination. It is to provide an accessible, hands-on ecosystem where curiosity, knowledge, and real research meet. Wherever you are in your scientific journey, there is a place to begin.
Science has no single path.
At the Burpee Institute, we connect our existing world-class programs into a fluid ecosystem. Choose a journey below to see how different people plug into our river, dive deep into real research, and launch into the world.
Entry Points!
Science shouldn’t have a gatekeeper. Whether someone enters the river as an Excited Youth in Dino Club, a University Student in our PaleoLab, or a Curious Adult at Museum Nights, there is a place to jump in.
The Burpee Current
As people flow through the Institute, they don’t just look at exhibits—they get swept into real hands-on experiences. They build concrete lab skills, participate in real research projects, and receive direct mentoring from professionals.
A Launchpad, Not a Destination:
Success for Burpee means preparing people for their next big step. Our “river” flows directly into major research universities, specialized science careers, and deeply knowledgeable community experts.
What does your journey look like?
Because the Burpee Institute is a fluid framework rather than a rigid track, there are endless ways to navigate the river. Explore the stories below to see how different members of our community plug in, dive deep, and launch into the world!
University
Teen
Family
Educator
Adults
Youth
The College Student to Early Career Researcher
This track demonstrates how the Burpee Institute bridges the gap between academic theory and real-world scientific employment.
Wading In (Entry Point): A College Student studying biology or geology visits Burpee for a class assignment or attends an after-hours Museum Night.
The Current (Explore & Experience): They plug into the museum as an Intern or Volunteer. Unlike massive national institutions where students just stand behind a velvet rope, Burpee puts them directly inside the Labs & Collections, handling real specimens and learning specialized curation skills.
Diving Deeper (Develop): They advance into an Early Career Laboratory position or a field assistant position. They participate in field expeditions, assist with active research projects, and learn how to manage database infrastructure.
The Launch (Exit Delta): They exit the river equipped with a robust, competitive resume. They are ready to step directly into a position as a Researcher at a Large Museum or University or transition into Various Science Careers.
The Emerging Scientist
Showing how we nurture dedicated high school and young adults as they grow in their scientific curiosity
Wading In (Entry Point): A local teenager who might be curious or an avid Young Explorer, joins one of Burpee’s specialized youth Clubs or scout programs.
The Current (Explore & Experience): Recognizing their deep interest, educators funnel them into the Emerging Scientist cohort. Here, they get their first taste of real mentorship from working professionals and step out of the classroom into hands-on Lab & Field Work.
Diving Deeper (Develop & Lead): As they grow within the cohort, they aren’t just learning, they start giving back. They become Mentors to the younger kids entering the pipeline, lead museum tours, and contribute directly to community science initiatives.
The Launch (Exit Delta): They leave the cohort not just as science fans, but as confident, scientifically literate leaders. Their experience positions them for scholarships, their next scientific mentor, or career. Whether they go on to major in STEM at a university or enter the local workforce, they graduate as lifelong Science Advocates, Leaders, and Citizen Scientists.
The Dino & Science Obsessed Kiddo
This track shows how early childhood fascination is nurtured into lifelong scientific literacy and confidence.
Wading In (Entry Point): A Dino-thrilled elementary schooler or Young Explorer visits the museum for a birthday party or a school field trip and falls in love with the fossils on exhibit.
The Current (Explore & Experience): They plug into Burpee’s youth Clubs and summer camps. They move from looking at Exhibits to getting behind-the-scenes exposure, learning how fossils are found, and interacting directly with museum educators.
Diving Deeper (Develop & Lead): As they grow into their Teen years, their obsession becomes a skillset. They begin volunteering, learning basic lab safety, and sharing their knowledge by helping guide activities for younger children entering the clubs.
The Launch (Exit Delta): They may not all become paleontologists, but they exit the pipeline with critical thinking skills and a deep love for the natural world. They branch off into Emerging Scientists at Burpee, Various Science Careers, or graduate as lifelong Science Advocates!
The K-12 Educator
This track highlights how the Burpee Institute empowers teachers to transform their local classrooms into science experiences and inquiry-based think spots!
Wading In (Entry Point): A local school Teacher comes to Burpee for a professional development workshop or brings their family for an experience-enhanced weekend visit.
The Current (Explore & Experience): They discover the deeper assets of the Institute. From checking out specimen loan boxes and bring Burpee’s Museum classroom kits directly to their students, to taking professional development classes in integrating these hands-on materials, they become comfortable using real tangible specimens alongside photographs, textbooks, and the internet curriculum.
Diving Deeper (Develop & Lead): They level up by entering the Educator Science Residency program. Working directly alongside our staff in the Labs & Collections, they spend summer afternoons engaged in real research, gaining unique story-driven insights and technical knowledge that cannot be found in a standard teaching textbook.
The Launch (Exit Delta): They return to their school districts as a powerhouse Community Expert & Educator. They become leaders who intentionally channel the next generation of Dino-Obsessed Kiddos and Emerging Scientists right back into Burpee’s river.
The Adult Citizen Scientist
This track shows how adults can rediscover their curiosity, build community connection, and contribute to real science.
Wading In (Entry Point): A local Nature Lover or curious rock collecting community member attends a Museum event
The Current (Explore & Experience): Inspired by the guest experience, they join A club like Morning at the Museum talk or Museum Nights after-hours social event to unwind and connect with friends. They move from casual attendance to active experience, stepping out into the field for local biodiversity counts, bio-blitzes, or ecosystem tracking.
Diving Deeper (Develop & Lead): They take advanced adult workshops to sharpen their field-identification skills. They step into leadership roles within the club, helping organize local conservation efforts or volunteering to assist visiting researchers with local environmental data collection. They might even volunteer on a Burpee Dinosaur Expedition
The Launch (Exit Delta): They become a vital Citizen Scientist and Science Advocate. They continue to be informed community members who actively champion local conservation, environmental stewardship, and scientific literacy in Rockford.
The Caregiver & Family
This track demonstrates how Burpee supports families in learning together, creating a household culture of curiosity.
Wading In (Entry Point): A parent, grandparent, or Caregiver brings their toddler to the museum for exhibits or special programming.
The Current (Explore & Experience): The museum becomes a staple of their routine. As a family, they explore the Exhibits, participate in activities like critter corner and nature nurture! They discover how to explore nature together in their own backyards.
Diving Deeper (Develop & Lead): The caregiver transitions from a passive chaperone to an active co-learner. They volunteer for family events, advocate for museum programming in their neighborhood networks, and use Burpee’s community resources to deeply enrich their family’s educational journey.
The Launch (Exit Delta): The family unit emerges as a vital pillar of our local network. The caregiver graduates into a dedicated Science Advocate & Leader at home and in their neighborhood, ensuring that scientific curiosity is passed down through generations and the child becomes the next generation of curious citizens & perhaps even an Emerging Scientist!
Science shouldn’t have a price tag.
Curiosity shouldn’t have a gatekeeper.
We believe real, hands-on scientific experiences should be accessible to everyone in the community, regardless of financial background. That is why we work to lower barriers to entry through heavily subsidized programs, including $2 admission for families through Museums for All, free admission for Illinois residents multiple times per month, community donation days, and fully funded youth club opportunities.
But keeping our entry points accessible requires a community effort.
Standard museum ticket sales only cover a fraction of what it takes to operate a world-class training facility like Burpee Institute. When you give to the Burpee Institute, you aren’t just buying museum supplies, you are directly funding equity. Your donation keeps admission affordable for local families, provides critical stipends for low-income university interns, and ensures that a brilliant, dino-obsessed kid from any neighborhood can grow into an Emerging Scientist.
You keep the river moving. Partner with us to power the pipeline today.
The Fuel Behind the Flow
Behind every Emerging Scientist, K-12 Educator, and local Citizen Scientist is a network of dedicated sponsors. We extend our deepest gratitude to the partners listed below. Your investment keeps our entry points open, our current strong, and our community thriving.
There is no single path into science, and there is no single moment when someone is ready to become part of it.
A child may be discovering a fascination with dinosaurs. A high school student may be searching for meaningful experiences before college. A university student may need a first field season. A recent graduate may be looking for the hands-on experience that helps turn a degree into a career. An educator may want to work alongside scientists and bring that experience back to the classroom. A retired professional may have decades of knowledge, curiosity, and experience ready to contribute in an entirely new way.
Burpee Institute creates places along the science pipeline where people can plug in.
Some people come to explore. Others come to build skills, gain experience, conduct research, share expertise, or mentor someone just beginning. Some stay for an afternoon. Others may build a relationship with Burpee that lasts for decades.
The goal isn’t to move everyone toward the same destination. It is to create meaningful points of entry into real science and a community where curiosity, experience, knowledge, and opportunity can meet.
Wherever you are in your scientific journey, there should be a place to begin.
