Education

Educator Professional Development

Shedd’s professional development experiences for educators are immersive and transformative!

We offer a range of opportunities to connect Shedd to your classroom, and your curriculum to the field. Workshops and resources in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) are designed to connect you with peers and empower your students to develop deep scientific inquiry.

Which part of your practice will you transform with Shedd?

NOAA Ocean Exploration Part I
Suggested for science teachers grades 6-12

From bioluminescent corals to deep-vent worms, and from tropical underwater volcanoes to the Arctic Ocean floor, share the excitement of current ocean science discoveries with your students. This program from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of Ocean Exploration and Research (OER) includes the Learning Ocean Science through Ocean Exploration curriculum, CD and the Ocean Explorer website. Educators who attend both full-day workshops will receive a $100 stipend. Each participant will receive the curriculum book, CD, materials related to activities presented during the workshop, a NOAA Ocean Exploration certificate of participation, a continental breakfast and lunch.

Nov. 13, 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Shedd Aquarium NOAA workshop part 1

For registration forms, e-mail Jackie Formoso at mailto:jformoso@sheddaquarium.org Questions? Call 312-692-3165.

Join our e-mail list for news about upcoming programs.

Workshops on Demand
Come to Shedd or have us come to you — whichever works better for your group. These two-hour workshops are designed for a maximum of 20 educators. The $250 fee includes curriculum and support materials.

Classroom Habitats – Grades K–12
Explore basic tools and skills needed to set up a classroom habitat while discovering several ways live-animal encounters can increase students’ comfort with science. We explore animal behavior and how animal observations are great tools for inquiry and science fair projects.

Great Lakes in My World – Grades K–8
Shedd educators bring one or more of our “Great Lakes in My World” discovery boxes and coach you through discovering and applying its treasures. Explore ways to connect students to the local environment and meet standards at the same time.

Learning to See: Scientific Sketching and Journaling – Grades K–12
Practice the techniques used by Charles Darwin, Leonardo de Vinci and the crew of the HMS Challenger to record the natural world. Observe how scientific sketching can improve student observation skills and assist students in asking creative and critical questions.

Inquiry in Action: Worm Compost Bins – Grades K–12
A worm bin is a great way to introduce environmental conservation and waste reduction, but did you know it can also be an incredibly useful science-inquiry tool? Create a worm bin for your class and discuss strategies for using it for science investigation and maintaining it.

To register, download and complete the Teacher Registration Form and fax it to 312-663-1472. Reservations must be made three weeks before the date requested.

Teacher Field Experiences

Biology in the Bahamas
Suggested for grades K–12 educators

Dive deep into marine environments and scientific research, first in Shedd’s classroom, and then firsthand in the Bahamas aboard Shedd's research vessel, the R/V Coral Reef II. Through hands-on experience, gain a greater understanding of data collection and analysis, how it applies to current scientific research and how to integrate it into your classroom curriculum.

Pre-trip class at Shedd Aquarium June 21-26
Fieldwork in Bimini, Bahamas July 27-Aug. 3
Post-trip wrap-up at Shedd Aquarium Aug. 5-7
Price: $895, with limited funding opportunities available through the generous support of COSEE Great Lakes Marine Immersion Scholarships.

Registration is closed. Join our e-mail list to learn about upcoming programs.

Download application form.

Freshwater Ecology
Suggested for grades K–12 educators

Team up with scientists, teachers and site-specific stewards to explore local environments and engaging ways to apply the scientific process. Explore hidden treasures in our surrounding ecosystems and discover ways to create immersive opportunities in the classroom.

July 19-24; 7:30 a.m.– 4:30 p.m.
Price : $175
Lane credit or two graduate credits are available from NLU

Registration is closed. Join our e-mail list to hear about upcoming programs.

Download application form.

Underwater Robotics
Suggested for grades 6–12 educators

Make underwater discoveries with a remotely operated vehicle (ROV)! Build your own ROV, conduct field research with it and observe how science, technology, engineering and math can inspire inquiry. Receive several hundred dollars’ worth of materials and curriculum to share the excitement with your middle or high school class.

Aug. 9-13; 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Price: $250 a team, includes lunch, transportation and materials
Educators must apply in teams of two to three.
Lane credit or two graduate credits are available from NLU.

Registration is closed. Join our e-mail list to hear about upcoming programs.
Download application form.

Wilderness Classroom – North American Expedition
Suggested for 3rd- to 8th-grade teachers

Join Wilderness Classroom and Shedd Aquarium for a workshop that brings aquatic and terrestrial environments throughout North America to your classroom. Explore exciting new ways to study the Pacific Northwest, Great Lakes, mangroves, salt marshes, coral reefs and more. Create immersive learning environments as you interact with workshop hosts Dave Freeman and Amy Voytilla during their upcoming 12,000-mile journey across the North America by canoe, kayak and dogsled. Receive 2 CPDUs and a variety of teaching materials courtesy of Wilderness Classroom.

Registration is closed. Join our e-mail list to hear about upcoming programs.

Day of Discovery
Presented by Discovery Education and Shedd Aquarium

Shedd Aquarium and Discovery Education are pleased to present a Day of Discovery on Oct. 10, 2009. This Day of Discovery will provide educators with an exciting and enriching day of professional development focused on creative ways to engage students using digital media from Discovery Education streaming.

Participants will learn how they can use images, audio clips and videos to create multimedia presentations, digital stories and virtual field trips. Administrators are invited to attend special sessions geared to supporting teachers as they use digital media, student assessments and technology.

Registration is closed for this unique Discovery partnership program. Join our e-mail list to hear about upcoming programs.

Programs for adults

Shedd experiences don’t stop in the classroom, grab a friend and enjoy some aquatic excitement.

Educator e-newsletter

Check out an article about Shedd's Teacher Field Experience program from a recent issue of Connect.