Before the Obama Presidential Center welcomed its first public visitors, a group of Lab sixth graders got an exclusive tour—all because one student had the courage to ask.
When Tonika Lewis Johnson spoke to Lab faculty this fall, she shared how art can illuminate the social landscape—and soon after, the world recognized her vision, naming her a 2024 MacArthur Genius.
On January 7, Lab seniors gathered for a panel with alumni who shared their college experiences and advice, helping the Class of 2025 prepare for their next chapter.
![Sixth grader Taj sits at a replica resolute desk at the Obama Presidential Center]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1783697029/chicagolab/ivytz5jrkf7dm1iswzrb/IMG_3041.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1783697029/chicagolab/ivytz5jrkf7dm1iswzrb/IMG_3041.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1783697029/chicagolab/ivytz5jrkf7dm1iswzrb/IMG_3041.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1783697029/chicagolab/ivytz5jrkf7dm1iswzrb/IMG_3041.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1783697029/chicagolab/ivytz5jrkf7dm1iswzrb/IMG_3041.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1783697029/chicagolab/ivytz5jrkf7dm1iswzrb/IMG_3041.jpg","width":2200}])
![Image of U-High National Scholarship Students]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1780946539/chicagolab/crmolzfvj5ntdownzcsm/Lab-Seniors-Earn-Top-National-Academic-Honors_1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1780946539/chicagolab/crmolzfvj5ntdownzcsm/Lab-Seniors-Earn-Top-National-Academic-Honors_1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1780946539/chicagolab/crmolzfvj5ntdownzcsm/Lab-Seniors-Earn-Top-National-Academic-Honors_1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1780946539/chicagolab/crmolzfvj5ntdownzcsm/Lab-Seniors-Earn-Top-National-Academic-Honors_1.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1780946539/chicagolab/crmolzfvj5ntdownzcsm/Lab-Seniors-Earn-Top-National-Academic-Honors_1.jpg","width":1600}])
![Seniors and nursery students together outside Gordon Parks Arts Hall]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1780681341/chicagolab/iyzq2zwqscwmbbw4y6o9/Lab-Community-Celebrates-Class-of-2026-at-Senior-Clap-Out_1_Jayna-Rumble.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1780681341/chicagolab/iyzq2zwqscwmbbw4y6o9/Lab-Community-Celebrates-Class-of-2026-at-Senior-Clap-Out_1_Jayna-Rumble.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1780681341/chicagolab/iyzq2zwqscwmbbw4y6o9/Lab-Community-Celebrates-Class-of-2026-at-Senior-Clap-Out_1_Jayna-Rumble.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1780681341/chicagolab/iyzq2zwqscwmbbw4y6o9/Lab-Community-Celebrates-Class-of-2026-at-Senior-Clap-Out_1_Jayna-Rumble.jpg","width":1200}])
![Image of maroon color]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1769450394/chicagolab/xylnzw9ij5s6lnoef9eb/University-of-Chicago-Laboratory-Schols---Lab-Life---In-the-Halls---MS1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1769450394/chicagolab/xylnzw9ij5s6lnoef9eb/University-of-Chicago-Laboratory-Schols---Lab-Life---In-the-Halls---MS1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1769450394/chicagolab/xylnzw9ij5s6lnoef9eb/University-of-Chicago-Laboratory-Schols---Lab-Life---In-the-Halls---MS1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1769450394/chicagolab/xylnzw9ij5s6lnoef9eb/University-of-Chicago-Laboratory-Schols---Lab-Life---In-the-Halls---MS1.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1769450394/chicagolab/xylnzw9ij5s6lnoef9eb/University-of-Chicago-Laboratory-Schols---Lab-Life---In-the-Halls---MS1.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1769450394/chicagolab/xylnzw9ij5s6lnoef9eb/University-of-Chicago-Laboratory-Schols---Lab-Life---In-the-Halls---MS1.jpg","width":1920}])
![Image of maroon color]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1769465152/chicagolab/iofiupnkgfvvhbruxe4x/University-of-Chicago---Lab-Life---A-Century-on-the-Record-2.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1769465152/chicagolab/iofiupnkgfvvhbruxe4x/University-of-Chicago---Lab-Life---A-Century-on-the-Record-2.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1769465152/chicagolab/iofiupnkgfvvhbruxe4x/University-of-Chicago---Lab-Life---A-Century-on-the-Record-2.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1769465152/chicagolab/iofiupnkgfvvhbruxe4x/University-of-Chicago---Lab-Life---A-Century-on-the-Record-2.jpg","width":1200}])
![Image of the intersection of Gordon Parks Arts Hall and Belfield Hall West]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1768937730/chicagolab/hy5mkxjglz1ndxi35rd7/UniversityofChicagoLaboratorySchoolsDesiging-the-Future-Honoring-the-Past.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1768937730/chicagolab/hy5mkxjglz1ndxi35rd7/UniversityofChicagoLaboratorySchoolsDesiging-the-Future-Honoring-the-Past.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1768937730/chicagolab/hy5mkxjglz1ndxi35rd7/UniversityofChicagoLaboratorySchoolsDesiging-the-Future-Honoring-the-Past.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1768937730/chicagolab/hy5mkxjglz1ndxi35rd7/UniversityofChicagoLaboratorySchoolsDesiging-the-Future-Honoring-the-Past.jpg","width":1200}])
![Image of student working in the Fossil Lab]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1770660044/chicagolab/egcu34rialjilxla29ue/University-of-Chicago-Lab-Life-From-the-Midway-Fossils.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1770660044/chicagolab/egcu34rialjilxla29ue/University-of-Chicago-Lab-Life-From-the-Midway-Fossils.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1770660044/chicagolab/egcu34rialjilxla29ue/University-of-Chicago-Lab-Life-From-the-Midway-Fossils.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1770660044/chicagolab/egcu34rialjilxla29ue/University-of-Chicago-Lab-Life-From-the-Midway-Fossils.jpg","width":1200}])
![Lab student looks through microscope]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1760918640/chicagolab/ogurrzjs94osg3zc2rhv/ISACSHero.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1760918640/chicagolab/ogurrzjs94osg3zc2rhv/ISACSHero.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1760918640/chicagolab/ogurrzjs94osg3zc2rhv/ISACSHero.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1760918640/chicagolab/ogurrzjs94osg3zc2rhv/ISACSHero.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1760918640/chicagolab/ogurrzjs94osg3zc2rhv/ISACSHero.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1760918640/chicagolab/ogurrzjs94osg3zc2rhv/ISACSHero.png","width":2200}])
![Tonika Lewis Johnson, Kistenbroker Artist in Residence]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1760274020/chicagolab/fduu12pr6jti5ubggfwr/TonikaLewisJohnsonHero.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1760274020/chicagolab/fduu12pr6jti5ubggfwr/TonikaLewisJohnsonHero.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1760274020/chicagolab/fduu12pr6jti5ubggfwr/TonikaLewisJohnsonHero.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1760274020/chicagolab/fduu12pr6jti5ubggfwr/TonikaLewisJohnsonHero.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1760274020/chicagolab/fduu12pr6jti5ubggfwr/TonikaLewisJohnsonHero.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1760274020/chicagolab/fduu12pr6jti5ubggfwr/TonikaLewisJohnsonHero.png","width":2200}])
![Nine Lab Alumni gather together at a panel for seniors.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1738251418/chicagolab/pjuznuykxst5bufdlu18/AlumniStoryPhoto.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1738251418/chicagolab/pjuznuykxst5bufdlu18/AlumniStoryPhoto.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1738251418/chicagolab/pjuznuykxst5bufdlu18/AlumniStoryPhoto.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1738251418/chicagolab/pjuznuykxst5bufdlu18/AlumniStoryPhoto.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1738251418/chicagolab/pjuznuykxst5bufdlu18/AlumniStoryPhoto.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1738251418/chicagolab/pjuznuykxst5bufdlu18/AlumniStoryPhoto.png","width":2200}])
![Adrea Ghez '83]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1708630123/chicagolab/wtrcwerfr4kyc4f4lrbr/Andrea-Ghez2.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1708630123/chicagolab/wtrcwerfr4kyc4f4lrbr/Andrea-Ghez2.png","width":380}])
![Janet Rowley-thumbnail]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1771449402/chicagolab/hffrftzmahnl2klfbs8q/University-of-Chicago-Laboratory-Schools---LabLife---Janet-Rowley.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1771449402/chicagolab/hffrftzmahnl2klfbs8q/University-of-Chicago-Laboratory-Schools---LabLife---Janet-Rowley.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1771449402/chicagolab/hffrftzmahnl2klfbs8q/University-of-Chicago-Laboratory-Schools---LabLife---Janet-Rowley.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1771449402/chicagolab/hffrftzmahnl2klfbs8q/University-of-Chicago-Laboratory-Schools---LabLife---Janet-Rowley.jpg","width":1200}])
![Duro Wicks-thumbnail]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1771449076/chicagolab/ptw5s1sggl7od8uxi0xk/University-of-Chicago-Laboratory-Schools---LabLife---A-Tale-of-Two-Genres.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1771449076/chicagolab/ptw5s1sggl7od8uxi0xk/University-of-Chicago-Laboratory-Schools---LabLife---A-Tale-of-Two-Genres.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1771449076/chicagolab/ptw5s1sggl7od8uxi0xk/University-of-Chicago-Laboratory-Schools---LabLife---A-Tale-of-Two-Genres.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1771449076/chicagolab/ptw5s1sggl7od8uxi0xk/University-of-Chicago-Laboratory-Schools---LabLife---A-Tale-of-Two-Genres.jpg","width":1200}])
![Amanda Williams_main image]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1762545228/chicagolab/pwd04syf5oquuylx2or8/Amanda-Williams---The-Genius-of-Lab---University-of-chicago-Laboratory-Schools.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1762545228/chicagolab/pwd04syf5oquuylx2or8/Amanda-Williams---The-Genius-of-Lab---University-of-chicago-Laboratory-Schools.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1762545228/chicagolab/pwd04syf5oquuylx2or8/Amanda-Williams---The-Genius-of-Lab---University-of-chicago-Laboratory-Schools.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1762545228/chicagolab/pwd04syf5oquuylx2or8/Amanda-Williams---The-Genius-of-Lab---University-of-chicago-Laboratory-Schools.jpg","width":1200}])
![A Walk Across America_thumbnail]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1771448594/chicagolab/smfb1hs3nj0kspjqz2rp/University-of-Chicago-Laboratory-Schools---LabLife---A-Walk-Across-America.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1771448594/chicagolab/smfb1hs3nj0kspjqz2rp/University-of-Chicago-Laboratory-Schools---LabLife---A-Walk-Across-America.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1771448594/chicagolab/smfb1hs3nj0kspjqz2rp/University-of-Chicago-Laboratory-Schools---LabLife---A-Walk-Across-America.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1771448594/chicagolab/smfb1hs3nj0kspjqz2rp/University-of-Chicago-Laboratory-Schools---LabLife---A-Walk-Across-America.jpg","width":1200}])
