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Testing the Waters

A teen drips water quality testing solution into a beaker of beach water.

Students go behind the scenes at Shedd and act as ecologists as they gather evidence to make recommendations for restoration of native fish populations in the Great Lakes region. This hands-on lab gives students the opportunity to test water samples and consider human impacts at a variety of sites to evaluate the suitability of habitat locations within the local watershed for fish reintroduction. The off-site version of the program provides a digital connection behind the scenes.

Grades

9 to 12

Price

$125 per program

A water quality testing set, organized by pH, helps teens test how acidic or base a water sample is.
Freshwater lake sturgeon have long, scaleless bodies with ridges along their spines.

Learning Labs are inquiry-based lab programs in which students gain skills in scientific methods, collaboration, communication, teamwork and more. Learning Labs can take place at Shedd Aquarium or at a school.

What to expect

  • Students work in groups using scientific tools to explore a Great Lakes ecosystem
  • Students generate their own hypotheses and pursue investigations to answer them
  • Teacher and chaperones may participate
  • Students use technology such as SMART Boards and multimedia resources
  • Students present their findings to each other

Key concepts: Invasive species, ecology, ecosystems, human impact, population dynamics, water quality, macroinvertebrates as water-quality indicators

Skills: Scientific investigation and method, collaboration and communication, data collection and analysis, presentation, inquiry, communicating scientific data and evidence

Accessibility 

Program includes: 

  • Use of stairs; elevators are available
  • Work in small groups in which participants could have unique tasks based on their choice, needs, or preference
  • Moving and standing for up to 30 minutes
  • Work taking place at standard tables with chairs provided
  • Moving around the aquarium, which has varying light, noise and temperature levels
  • 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; unusual smells; touch sensitivity due to the use of tight-fitting gloves; and potential that participants may get wet or dirty.
  • Facilitators will use portable voice amplification at times.

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 312-939-2438. We look forward to assisting you.

Standards 

HS-LS2-7. Design, evaluate and refine a solution for reducing the impacts of human activities on the environment and biodiversity.
  • Clarification statement: Examples of human activities can include urbanization, building dams and dissemination of invasive species.

Resources

Download Great Lakes: Testing the Waters Learning Lab Guide

Labs at Your School

New this year. Have Shedd Educators come to your school to facilitate a Learning Lab program. These programs are available three days a week: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays!

Read More , on the Labs at Your School page

Great Lakes: Testing the Waters

Availability

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays

Class Size

Up to 30 students

Duration

90 minutes

Price

$125 per program

Partners

This project was made possible in part by the Institute for Museum and Library Services.