A 24-year-old Chicago theater artist has won the chance to live at the Museum of Science and Industry for a month.
Officials announced Wednesday that Kate McGroarty beat out 1,500 other applicants to win the Month at the Museum competition.
The announcement was made with a bit of a science experiment. The five finalists stood at a table not knowing who had been selected. They simultaneously combined two liquids, with the winner's beaker exploding from a chemical reaction.
It's "amazing," she said. "My head is probably going to explode."
McGroarty is a Minnesota native who lives on Chicago's North Side. Museum officials said she wowed the judges with her curiosity, creative spirit and wit.
From Oct. 20 to Nov. 18, she'll live at the museum 24 hours a day. She'll have access to museum exhibits and sleeping quarters.
She'll also receive $10,000 for interacting with visitors, and blogging, tweeting and posting videos about the experience.
The four other finalists will receive consolation packages and a $100 retailer gift card.
