Invite Shedd experts to visit the classroom and, together with students, explore local freshwater mussels — a mighty animal that is generally misunderstood.
In this program, students will understand that the freshwater mussel is an animal, examine its physical structures and role in an ecosystem, learn about its reproductive cycles and recognize its connections to invasive species and biodiversity in our local habitats. They will even get to dig for mussels in a streambed, just as our researchers do, and K-2 students will create a take-home model of a freshwater mussel.
Guided by Shedd Educators:
Our skilled educators lead this enriching experience. This is a great way for students to ask questions, record real-time data like our animal care teams, meet animals and expand their knowledge of our shared blue planet.
Shedd Aquarium offers two types of in-school programming — Learn with Animals and Environmental Science.
Our Mussel Structures and Reproduction program falls under "Environmental Science." This NGSS-aligned program removes barriers for students to get hands-on with science as they practice constructing arguments, exploring structures and functions, analyzing and interpreting energy dynamics and explaining how ecosystems affect mussel populations.
Skills: Asking Questions and Defining Problems, Developing and Using Models
Standards:
NGSS: K-2-ETS1-2: Engineering Design - Develop a simple sketch, drawing or physical model to illustrate how the shape of an object helps it function as needed to solve a given problem; 2-LS4-1: Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity - Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
Amplify: Grade K – Needs of Plants and Animals; Grade 2 – Plant and Animal Relationships
Skills: Conducting an Investigation, Analyze and Interpret Data, Asking Questions and Defining Problems
Standards:
NGSS: 4-LS1-1: From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes - Construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior and reproduction.
Key concepts: Freshwater Mussels, Structure and Function, Cause and Effect, Healthy Ecosystems, Biodiversity, Freshwater Animals, Reproduction, Invasive Species
Skills: Conducting an Investigation, Analyze and Interpret Data, Asking Questions and Defining Problems
Standards:
NGSS: MS-LS2-1: Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy and Dynamics - Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for the effects of resource availability on organisms and populations of organisms in an ecosystem; MS- LS2-4: Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics - Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations.
Amplify: Grade 6 – Traits and Reproduction; Grade 7 – Matter and Energy in Ecosystems
Accessibility
The learning environment as part of this lesson/program may include the following sensory triggers: touch sensitivity and participants may get wet or dirty.
This program includes:
Use of tools like scissors, modeling clay, quadrats, etc.
Moving short distances
Moving and standing for up to one hour
Work taking place at standard tables with chairs
Sitting on the floor for activities
Viewing an AV presentation with videos and images
Facilitators’ use of portable voice amplification
We believe there should be no boundaries to your Shedd Aquarium experience. If you have an accommodation request related to a disability, please submit that information during your program reservation. Please visit our accessibility page to learn more.
The contents of Environmental Science: Mussel Structures and Reproduction was developed as part of the Shedd Pathways to Environmental Education Initiative under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. However, the contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department, and you should not assume endorsement by the federal government. One hundred percent ($540,932) of the total costs of the initiative from Aug. 1, 2023 to Aug. 31, 2024 are financed with federal money. We express appreciation for our Federal Congressionally Funded Community Project sponsor, House Representative Mike Quigley.
