When your student group visits the city of Chicago, you should spend some time exploring the Federal Reserve Visitor Center as part of the experience. The attraction has a money museum and offers interesting educational presentations for the pupils to enjoy. The Chicago Federal Reserve Center is one of 12 reserve banks in the United States.
The Money Museum has a variety of fascinating exhibits that are appropriate for students in middle school and above. Participants will find exhibits such as Fed Shreds, Historical Currency, Counterfeits, the Million Dollar Cube, the Million Dollar Suitcase, and Inflation. The Historical Currency Exhibit is one where the group will have the opportunity to examine a variety of historic bills that have been in circulation. At one point in our history, there were 10,000 dollar bills in circulation. Today, the 100 dollar bill is the highest currency in circulation. The Million Dollar Suitcase is an exhibition where the team can have a photo taken and also touch the handle of a suitcase that has one million dollars inside. The Federal Reserve discovers 20 to 30 counterfeit bills each day. At the Counterfeit Exhibit, participants will learn about the security features that are incorporated in U.S. currency. Pupils will also learn how they can spot a counterfeit bill.
The Federal Reserve Visitor Center offers daily guided visits that are 30 minutes long. During the program, the pupils will listen to a presentation about the functions and responsibilities of the Federal Reserve System and the Chicago Fed. You will also learn detailed information about the historical currency collection in the Money Museum, watch a video about the operations of the Chicago Fed, and have a question and answer session at the conclusion of the presentation. There are also educational resources for educators.