Uncovering the Mysteries of the Mind at Mindworks: The Science of Thinking

Mindworks: A Worthwhile and Mind-bending Detour

Mindworks: The Science of Thinking has a colorful exhibit on display in a big window off Michigan Ave. It has been catching my eye for years. I have walked by countless times while in the Chicago Loop. Sometimes I was on my way to Columbia College Chicago while sometimes I was off to work in the South Loop, but I had never made the time to stop in. A few weeks ago, I changed that!

The building is only a block or so away from The Art Institute, making it a quick and easy visit to squeeze into any day spent in the Chicago Loop. This happened to be exactly what I was doing that day, having reserved, although walk-ins are welcomed, their earliest time slot at 11 am. 

After arriving and taking an obligatory selfie, I went inside, checked in, and began to wander the small museum. One thing that stood out to me from the get-go was how interactive and “gamey” the exhibits were.

For example, one exhibit covered how our brains interpret optical illusions. Famous faces were turned upside down.  While upside down the faces were recognizable and the features appeared to be, well, what you would expect. 

Then, you would turn the face upright and something would appear odd or out of place. Like a larger-than-life forehead. Next, you would swing the picture back upside down again and it would go back to seeming natural as if it was that way all along. Weird. Right?! 

At the end a big panel with the directions on the outside opened, and on the inside was a panel that went into more depth about how the illusion worked. This was just one of several games that you could play!

More than a museum

With it being a Thursday morning, my boyfriend, Jake, sadly had to work, so this was a visit I went on alone. That being said, I would highly recommend going with a friend or partner as some of the games were clearly set up for two.

Even the single-player games encouraged conversation, and for you to not take yourself too seriously! It was an experience meant to be shared for sure! 

Mind Works is more than just a museum though, it also functions as a working lab that runs experiments. 

That fact is actually one of the reasons I enjoy Mindworks existing so much. I think it encourages the university and the community to engage and learn from each other in a really fun, welcoming, and safe space.  

Unfortunately, however, during my time slot, there were no ‘experiments’ in my age range for me to participate in. 

For those who do have the opportunity and choose to participate, it works kind of like Chuck E. Cheese’s. During the experiments “games” you earn points for completing tasks. At the end of the experiment, you can trade the points you have earned for various prizes at the front desk. I strongly recommend participating if you have the chance!

After 30 minutes or so I walked back out onto Michigan Ave, feeling a little more in the know about my brain. My stomach felt a little bit jealous with all the attention on my noggin. It even alerted me to this by rudely rumbling impatiently. So off I wandered to The Art of Pizza for a slice of pizza pie.