Mindworks: The Science of Thinking — Local services in Chicago

Stopped in on Friday with my mom while in town for a concert. I'd wanted to go here the last time I was in Chicago but hadn't had time. It's free and the people working were friendly and explained everything. The actual exhibits are interesting but that part took us maybe 30 minutes at most and none were anything I hadn't known before in some capacity. Mom and I both signed up to do research and this is where I was disappointed. I had been excited to earn enough points for a sweatshirt that day but for me, they only had one survey available and for my mom they had nothing. For that I earned 900 points (need 2000 for a sweatshirt). They were setting up a VR one and had said it would take another 20 minutes but after they had software issues my mom and I went to cash out points since we had limited time and I asked if there was any way I could outright buy a sweatshirt and I was told no but they could check a point donation pool - however the person checking me out had to go get someone to help load my points and by the time that was done I think they had forgotten to check the point pool or had nothing and neglected to tell me. Unfortunately all I got was a couple cute keychains and one of the brains. I wish there was a way to purchase an item outright, at least the clothing ones :( i live three hours away so it's not like i was going to be able to come back soon to get more points. I understand these survey options are probably limited but I did...

My family and I visited "Mindworks: The Science" of thinking this past week (Aug 2024). You don't need tickets (it's free) but they do ENCOURAGE having a reservation, though walk-ins are accepted if they have availability.

In the front room you can try some of their displays/quizzes about people, relationships and how you handle situations (sociology things).

In the back, you can take a quick 5 min screening on an iPad. If you qualify for any studies they will escort you to a small room with a computer. Here they will show you what you can complete for surveys for various amount of points. Then before you leave you can cash out your points in the lobby for prizes. Here is their current list of prizes on their web site https://www.chicagobooth.edu/mindworks/earn-prizes

While my wife and I qualified for a few surveys, my 9 year old son wasn't currently eligible for anything (so I'm under the belief that MOST of the surveys are geared towards adults). But with that said he told us that he still had a great time completing the experiences and wanted to go back.

So for about 1 to 1.5 hour of our time it was an enlightening and...

I had a blast here. I been wanting to go since they first opened and finally stopped in on a weekday afternoon with a friend. It was busy but not so busy that we had to wait long to participate in some of the surveys. We endend up spending almost 2 hours there which was longer than I thought wed be there but didnt bother me one bit, so make sure you give yourself enough time to really engage.

I think I racked up about 6,500 points in one day causing me to sign up for the membership. They have some pretty cool prizes for your participation, it kind of reminded me of chuck E cheese where you turn in your tickets and get a prizes only theyre useful and geared towards adults.

I was told they switch up the surveys about every 2 weeks. Also you dont need an appointment, you can just walk in and signup when you get there but Im not sure if that will work in your favor so I suppose it doesnt hurt to set up an appointment thru the website. Everyone was so pleasant and helpful and I even made a couple friends because we had to do a couple surveys with people we didnt...