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Chicago, Illinois is the third largest city in the United States with a population of over 2.8 million people. Chicago is a city that is rich with history, culture. sports, entertainment & education. It is a great place to visit & a wonderful place to live. Skill Builders 1. Plan and take a trip to Chicago, Illinois. Utilize the “On the Go” Studio 2B Focus Book or the Senior Girl Scout Resource Guide (pages 132-134) and Safety Wise (pages 44-60). Talk to a travel agent, tour guide, or other adult to research the transportation options available. Contact the Chicago Chamber of Commerce or Illinois Tourism Board to find out what Chicago can offer to our many visitors. Learn about the seasonal events that are happening in the city. Find out the necessary clothing needed for your trip because of the distinct season changes in Chicago. 2. The Chicago Flag has three white stripes, a top and bottom blue stripe and four red stars. Discover the meaning of what each stripe and star represents. 3. Chicago has many fine museums including the Field Museum. Adler Planetarium, Art Institute, Shedd Aquarium, Museum of Science & Industry, DuSable Museum and more. Visit one and discover the many wonders inside. 4. Many historical landmarks can be found in Chicago such as Buckingham Fountain, the Civic Opera House and Navy Pier’s Auditorium to name a few. Visit one of our many, great landmarks and learn why it is an important part of our history. 5. Chicago was the birthplace to many remarkable women such as Jane Addams, Jane Byrne, Ann Landers, Betty Ford, Hillary Rodham Clinton and Carol Moseley Braun. Learn about these women to see what they have done to mark their place in history. 6. Chicago boasts many famous food specialties only found here. We have Chicago-style pizza and the Chicago hot dog to name a few. Taste one of our culinary delights and you will also become a fan. 7. Chicago has the famous Lincoln Park Zoo, one of the oldest zoos in the country and home to over 1200 animals, made up of 230 different species. Walk through this beautiful zoo not only to learn about some amazing animals but to also witness some of our most beautiful flora. 8. Chicago's most identifiable claim to fame resides in its architecture. The city is a veritable museum of modern architecture. It is the birthplace of the skyscraper and its architects have initiated international architectural styles and movements. Take an architectural tour of the city and don’t forget to check out our tallest building, the Sears Tower. 9. The entertainment Chicago has to offer is abundant and diverse. While you are in the city take in a play. concert, or comedy act, or visit one of our many diverse festivals or enjoy one of our famous parades. The choices are limitless. 10. Chicago is home to the White Sox, Cubs, Bulls, Bears, Blackhawks, Wolves, Rush and Fire. Take in a Chicago sporting event and see what all the hoopla is about. Service Project 1. Write a tourism brochure describing some of the assets of the city of Chicago. Share your brochure with your troop or your Girl Scout Council. 2. Carl Sandburg adopted Chicago as his home. Read one of his many poems to a group of younger children to introduce this great author to them. 3. Chicago is called the City of Neighborhoods. Plan a neighborhood walk in your city with a group of younger Girl Scouts. Help them discover what an interesting neighborhood they live in. 4. Chicago has 552 parks and 33 beaches. Volunteer to clean up your local park or beach with your troop or group. 5. The Greater Chicago Food Depository is a not-for-profit food distribution center providing food for hungry people while striving to end hunger. The Food Depository distributes donated and purchased food through a network of 600 pantries, soup kitchens and shelters to more than 91,000 adults and children every week. Start a food drive for your local food pantry, help the cause to end hunger in your area. Technology 1. Using the Internet and find the web site for the City of Chicago. Discover the highlights of the city. 2. Juliette Gordon Low and Chicago have a special connection. Discover what it is. 3. The Great Chicago Fire is a part of our history. Find out how it happened and what happened to our city because of it. Discover how Chicago was rebuilt after the fire. 4. Chicago is host to many communication and media stations. Visit one of the many radio and broadcast television stations in the city. 5. No single individual transformed 20th-century residential architecture more than Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959), undoubtedly America's most famous architect. Discover the many architectural innovations that he created in Chicago. Take an electronic tour of many of his famous Chicago landmarks. 6. Take the Chicago River Virtual Tour. Sit back and relax as the canoe gently flows and meanders down the river. See first hand how the Chicago River impacts our lives and that of native vegetation and wildlife. Learn of river recreational activities, and take pride in the beauty of bridges along the river. While journeying down the river, ponder your favorite outdoor activity, and perhaps, plan to do it along the river. Enjoy the trip! 7. Many films were made in the city of Chicago. Producers and directors boast that because of the many diverse areas in our city it is the perfect place to make a movie. Find out what movies were made here, rent one and enjoy. Career Exploration 1. Education is very important in the city of Chicago. The city is proud to have some of the finest universities, colleges and technical schools in the nation. Choose one in the area you are interested in and discover what it has to offer. 2. The Chicago Tribune Newspaper printed its first edition on June 10, 1847. Find out the many careers the newspaper industry has to offer or pick up a major Chicago newspaper and browse through the want ads and see all of the many opportunities available. 3. Write an article about your trip to Chicago and submit it to your school newspaper, local newspaper or your Girl Scout Council. 4. The travel industry is booming in Chicago. O’Hare Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. Research the travel industry and see what career opportunities are offered in this field. 5. The Chicago City Council consists of Mayor Richard M. Daley and 50 aldermen, one representing each city ward. The council meets regularly to discuss legislation, orders and ordinances. Find out what your city council is made up of and discover what it takes to be a politician in your area. 6. The United States has the largest healthcare system in the world and Chicago is arguably the capital of that system. The city is home to the American Medical Association, the American Hospital Association, the American Dental Association, the American College of Surgeons, and other health-related organizations, schools and institutions. Discover some of the opportunities in the medical field offered in Chicago. The “Discover Chicago Interest Project Award” was written as part of a Gold Award Project by Michelle Bartosik, Alyssa Colletti, Deirdre O’Connor, Nicole O’Reilly and Evelyn Ratigan, Troop 1822 Discover Chicago Interest Project Award design by Alyssa Colletti, Troop 1822