Programs
Learn differently.
Think clearly.
Every CGAE program is built on the same foundation: integrated knowledge, hands-on discovery, and learning that respects the way the mind actually works. No prerequisites. No age limits. Just real learning.
Program 01
Courses
Our six core courses are the heart of the CGAE curriculum. Each runs between 80 and 200 hours of hands-on, laboratory-based instruction — taught in flexible day and evening schedules to fit around your life. No passive lectures. No rote memorization. Just real science, real inquiry, and real understanding.
Microbiology
100 hrsAn introduction to the microbial world — bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa — taught through hands-on laboratory investigation. Students examine living cultures, conduct experiments, and explore microbiology's connections to medicine, ecology, and daily life.
Molecular Biology
120 hrsFrom DNA to protein, from gene to organism. This course explores the molecular machinery of life through active laboratory work, connecting the chemistry of cells to the bigger story of evolution, disease, and human biology.
Integrated Science & Humanities I
150 hrsThe first of our signature integrative courses. Science, history, philosophy, and the arts are taught as one continuous story — from the origins of the universe to the development of modern civilization.
Integrated Science & Humanities II
150 hrsContinues the integrated narrative, exploring the scientific and cultural revolutions of the modern era. Students develop a coherent understanding of how human knowledge evolved — and where it is heading.
Research Methodology
100 hrsHow do scientists actually think? This course teaches the logic and practice of scientific inquiry — hypothesis formation, experimental design, data interpretation, and the communication of findings.
Green Microbiology™
80 hrsCGAE's original program exploring the role of microorganisms in environmental systems. Covers bioremediation, sustainable agriculture, and the microbial basis of ecosystem health through intensive lab work.
Program 02
Workshops
Our workshops bring CGAE’s integrated approach to focused, one-day and weekend formats. Open to students, educators, professionals, and curious minds of every age — no prerequisites, no prior knowledge required. Just show up ready to think.
Technotherapy™
One-day workshop exploring the relationship between technology, biology, and human wellbeing. Designed for general audiences curious about how technology shapes our bodies and minds.
Green Microbiology™ Workshop
A condensed introduction to the environmental applications of microbiology. Suitable for students, educators, and anyone interested in sustainability and ecological science.
The Art of Scientific Thinking
A weekend workshop on the logic of inquiry — how scientists form questions, design tests, and interpret results. Open to non-scientists and scientists alike.
Science, Art & Music
An exploration of the deep connections between scientific principles and artistic expression. Covers acoustics, optics, proportion, and the mathematics of beauty.
Integrated History of Science
A one-day journey through the chronological development of human scientific knowledge — from ancient observation to modern theory. A natural companion to our core courses.
Custom Workshops
CGAE offers tailored workshops for schools, community organizations, and corporate groups. Contact us to discuss your needs and we will design a program to fit.
Workshop Details
"One day with CGAE can change how you see your entire field."
Program 03
Saturday Tours
Not sure where to start? A Saturday tour is the best introduction to CGAE. Spend half a day at the Center, meet our instructors, see the laboratories, attend a sample session, and experience our approach first-hand.
Most people who take a tour come back. Because seeing is believing.
When
Every Saturday
Duration
Half day (approx. 4 hours)
Fee
$30 per person
Who
Open to all ages
Where
CGAE Center, Chicago, IL
What to Expect
Welcome & Introduction
Meet the instructors and get an overview of CGAE's history and mission.
Laboratory Tour
Walk through our working laboratory spaces and see the equipment and materials used in our courses.
Sample Session
Participate in a hands-on demonstration of our teaching approach — a taste of what our full courses deliver.
Q&A & Registration
Ask questions, review course options, and register if you're ready to begin.
Program 04
Professional Development for Educators
Most science teachers were never taught how science works — only what science has discovered. CGAE’s professional development programs change that. We train educators to teach integrative, hands-on science in a way that transforms their classrooms and their students.
Our programs are designed for both science and non-science teachers. You do not need a science background to teach science well. You need a clear framework, practical tools, and the confidence that comes from understanding the whole picture.
A teacher who understands how knowledge connects can unlock any subject for any student. That is what we train.
— CGAE Professional Development
Integrated Science Teaching
A multi-day intensive that equips science teachers with CGAE's integrated curriculum framework, laboratory techniques, and the 150 core concepts model. Includes take-home lesson plans and materials.
Science TeachersScience for Non-Science Teachers
Designed for humanities, arts, and social science educators who want to bring scientific thinking into their classrooms. No science background required — just curiosity and commitment.
All TeachersHands-On Lab Skills
A practical workshop in laboratory technique, safety, and equipment use. Gives educators the confidence to run hands-on experiments in their own classrooms with minimal resources.
Lab SkillsCustom School Programs
CGAE works with schools and districts to design custom professional development programs aligned with curriculum requirements. Contact us to start a conversation.
Schools & DistrictsRegistration
Ready to begin?
Registration is open year-round. To enroll in a course or workshop, contact us by phone or email and we will guide you through the process. For Saturday tours, you can register directly online.
Not sure where to start?
A Saturday tour is always the right first step. Half a day, $30, and you'll know exactly where you belong.