Yes, Shedd Aquarium offers several professional development opportunities. We host at least one workshop a month as well as partnered workshops with organizations such as NOAA, Wilderness Classroom and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). The goal of our workshops is to increase teachers’ knowledge, skills and confidence in teaching aquatic science. Workshops are designed to help teachers meet state standards and encourage inquiry and hands-on teaching methods. Click here to view teacher professional development opportunities.
Workshops range from three hours to several days and can be taken for CPDUs or Lane credit. To learn more about resources for teachers, you might consider booking one of our teacher in-services for your school.
Does Shedd have a brochure or newsletter for teachers?
Yes, every year the Schooling with Shedd brochure is mailed to teachers, which includes information about our school programs and professional development for teachers. Fish Tales, a quarterly newsletter, is another publication produced by the education department and highlights the most recent Shedd updates, teacher events, planning tools and animal information. To get a copy or be added to the mailing list, e-mail teacherservices@sheddaquarium.org. Click here to view the teacher newsletter.
Does Shedd offer any resources I can bring to my classroom?
Shedd has on-line activity guides with ideas you can bring to your classroom. Click here to access activity guides. Also check out the Shedd Educational Adventures (SEA) page for more lesson plans, student interactives and fact sheets in English and Spanish. To access the on-line interactive resource, go to http://www.sheddaquarium.org/SEA.
Is there a discount for teacher admission to the aquarium?
Yes! We encourage teachers to visit before bringing their students. All teachers are admitted free with proper identification at the general admission ticket desk. Please note that only teachers are admitted free, and any guests will be required to pay the full admission price.
