Virtual Field Trip FAQs
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Request a reservation online using the link on the program’s specific information page. Then, a member of our team will contact you to confirm your requested dates.
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We will try to schedule your trip and any learning programs for your first chosen date. If that date is not available, we schedule you for the next available date of your choice. You will receive a confirmation email informing you of the field trip and any program dates, start times and fees. If you have registered for a virtual field trip or learning program, a Shedd staff member will contact you to confirm these details.
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Yes! We encourage teachers to visit so that they can prepare for their field trips. Educators from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin can visit Shedd free by reserving a pass online here. Please note: While teachers are admitted free, their guests will be required to pay the full admission price.
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At Shedd Aquarium, we believe there should be no boundaries to guests' experiences. If you have an accommodation request related to a disability or other need related to your experience please let us know via phone or email: 312-692-3333 or [email protected].
Visit the Accessibility pagefor additional information and resources.
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- A 50-minute live digital field trip session featuring Shedd animals and facilitated by Shedd educators and animal care staff.
- NGSS-aligned pre- and post-field trip lessons designed for use with Google Classroom.
- Lesson plans and instructions for implementing pre- and post-lessons with your classroom.
- Connection with a Shedd Learning staff member to help plan your experience.
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We'll send you a direct link to join a live, 50-minute videoconference with Shedd Aquarium and up to one other classroom. During the program, a Shedd educator interacts with classes as they are taken behind the scenes with our animal care staff. Students will take part in activities, live animal observations and a question-and-answer session with aquarium professionals. Once registered, a member of Shedd’s Learning team will email you additional information about the program as well as a kit of curriculum materials to use before and after the program.
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Yes. During the program, your class will observe live animals from one or more of the aquarium’s exhibits. The view of the animal is often up-close, as the program facilitators are in or near the habitat with the animal.
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Live from Behind the Scenes programs are $125 for the first 50-minute program and $95 an additional group. Take multiple programs over the course of a unit or get reduced pricing for multiple classes within a school.
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Programs are suitable for classroom groups of up to 35 students per classroom. Up to two classrooms may be hosted at one time.
- Penguins at Shedd is recommended for grades K-8. We have designed lessons for grade bands K-2, 3-5, and 6-8.
- Sharks at Shedd is recommended for grades K-8. We have designed lessons for grade bands K-2, 3-5, and 6-8.
- Amazon Animals is recommended for grades K-5. We have designed lessons for grade bands K-2, and 3-5.
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Yes! When you complete the registration form, you will have the chance to indicate your classroom teaching modality. This information is passed along to our Learning staff who will send you instructions about how to prepare your students, whether you are all together in one room or if students will be logging in to the meeting from individual devices.
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Teachers take an active role during the Live from Behind the Scenes digital field trip. You will assist aquarium educators with communicating with students, facilitating activities and discussions, and enforcing your regular classroom norms.
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Currently, we offer four NGSS-aligned versions of our Live from Behind the Scenes program focused on shark, penguins and animals of the Amazon. See each program page for more details about the topics and standards covered.
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View the Live from Behind the Scenes program calendar on the virtual field trip page for the most up-to-date schedule of when each program is offered. However, this program is offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so schedule your program as soon as possible! The calendar does not reflect current availability; some days may already be sold out. During the registration process, you will be asked to pick up to three days that will work with your schedule. We will assign you a date based on current availability and your order of preference. Unfortunately, due to animal care needs, we cannot offer dates or times outside of this schedule.
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Unfortunately, our program calendar is set by the needs of our animal care teams, who work tireless to assure our animals receive the best possible care. At this time, we cannot accommodate custom dates or times for our programs.
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Up to three classrooms from the same school can participate in each Live from Behind the Scenes program at a time. Students will be able to see and hear one another if their cameras and mics are on, and Shedd Aquarium staff will spend equal time interacting with each participating classroom. Please email [email protected] if your school has policies on digital interactions with groups outside of your school.
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Registration is required at least 14-days before the program date.
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Yes! We want you to feel as comfortable as possible going in to our programs. Once registered, Shedd Learning staff will reach out with more information, including the opportunity to schedule an optional 10-15-minute technology test before your program date. Shedd staff will review the use of the videoconferencing platform, discuss more about what your role will be during the program, and answer any other questions you may have.
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Because of the close interaction with Shedd staff, animals and other classrooms, we are unable to accommodate schedule changes. If you need to reschedule a program, you can let us know by e-mailing [email protected].
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If your class will be joining from a single classroom, the classroom set-up will need the following:
- A computer with an Internet connection (a wired connection is recommended for more reliable connectivity)
- Equipment to project the computer’s desktop image onto a screen large enough for your whole class to view together (projector, SMARTboard, large TV, etc.)
- Webcam
- Microphone (generally, using the computer’s built-in microphone is sufficient)
- Speakers
We encourage you to test your videoconferencing platform with your classroom setup prior to the start of the program. If you’d like to schedule that test with us, reply to the Shedd Learning staff email asking for a tech test.
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All students will need are some blank pieces of paper and drawing utensils. A regular pencil is fine, but crayons, markers, or colored pencils can be utilized as well.
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Due to the high volume of requests we receive, Shedd cannot offer customized programming for special events at schools or for families. We do have multiple resources available for students on our website and programming specifically tailored to the outside of school time audience that can be found on our digital resources hub.
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- We believe there should be no boundaries to your Shedd Aquarium experience. If you have an accommodation request related to a disability, please contact us at [email protected] or 312-692-3333. We look forward to assisting you.
- The learning environment as part of this lesson may include the following sensory triggers: unusual noises-which may be loud, low or moderate; changes in lighting; and, quickly moving, live camera footage.
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During our Q&A session, we attempt to answer as many student questions as possible in the time allowed, but know we won’t get to everyone! If your students have more questions after the program, teachers can use Twitter to tweet questions to @SheddLearning, using #SheddLive. Teachers may also follow-up via email with the Learning staff member who handled their program communication.
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Payment is accepted by credit card, debit, check or purchase order (PO). See further details below:
Credit Card
To pay by credit card, call 312-692-3333 (open daily 9 am - 4 pm). We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.
Check
To pay by check, mail to:
Shedd Aquarium Society
29017 Network Place
Chicago, IL 60673-1290
Please include your confirmation number on the check.
Purchase Orders (POs)
Purchase orders are an acceptable form for confirming your visit or program. Please note that it will be the responsibility of the teacher or school to make sure the request is fulfilled by CPS, or other school district, at least 14 days before the date of visit. Teachers who reserve a field trip or program will continue to receive payment reminders from us until the request is completed. Shedd Aquarium is not responsible for submitting purchase orders to CPS/school district Accounts Payable on behalf of the school. Failure to fulfill the purchase order by 14 days before the visit or program will result in the cancelation of your trip or program. -
Yes, by digital connection and in person! For K-8 classrooms, check out all our offerings here.