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Amazon Animals

Mimic poison dart frogs are tiny-- shorter than one's thumb, and rely on their bright patterns to warn predators off.

Explore the diverse habitats of the Amazon, both on land and under water. Students could meet a diverse range of animals including piranhas, freshwater stingrays, tortoises, arapaima, poison dart frogs, a tarantula, a caiman lizard or catfish!

Observe animals that fly, swim and crawl as you discover what animals need to survive in the largest river basin on Earth. Explore the movements and behaviors of freshwater stingrays, then design an enrichment "toy" to be given to the animals just moments later.

Guided by Shedd Educators:

Our skilled educators lead this enriching experience. This is a great way for students to ask questions, compare and contrast regions of the world, make predictions, look nature in the eye and expand their knowledge of our blue planet.

Program Type

Virtual Field Trip

grade levels

Grades K–5

price

$125 for one group
$95 for an additional group in the same program

dates

This 50-minute program is offered on a rotating schedule Tuesday–Friday at 10 am or 1 pm.

location

Virtual Online

A Shedd facilitator sets up a laptop outside of Shedd's animal hospital so that students attending a virtual field trip can look and listen in.
Students gather around a video projector and ask questions as a Shedd expert broadcasts a live Virtual Field Trip session.

How Our Virtual Field Trips Operate

Live from Behind the Scenes virtual field trips are interactive digital experiences that bring animals and the staff members who care for them to a school classroom to inspire students with real examples with science.

Full List of Field Trips

Benefits of Virtual Field Trips with Shedd

  • Behind-the-scenes views of the aquarium
  • No bus travel, low cost
  • One-click, seamless addition to your school day
  • Pre- and post-programs lessons provided

Adaptable Curriculum for K-5 Students

Grades K–2

Key concepts: Animal needs, healthy habitats, enrichment, STEM careers

Skills: Observation, prediction, collaboration, communication, problem-solving

Standards

  • NGSS: K-LS1-1, 2-LS4-1
  • Common Core: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.3
  • Amplify Connections: K - Needs of Plants and Animals

Grades 3–5

Key concepts: Animal needs, adaptations, healthy habitats, enrichment, STEM careers

Skills: Observation, prediction, collaboration, communication, problem-solving

Standards

  • NGSS: 4-LS1-1
  • Common Core: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.3.3, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.3
  • Amplify Connections: 3 - Environments and Survival

Accessibility

The learning environment as part of this lesson may include the following sensory triggers: unusual noises (loud, low or moderate); changes in lighting; quickly moving, live camera footage.

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.

The contents of Live from Behind the Scenes 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.

grade levels

Grades K–5

duration

50 minutes

price

$125 for one group
$95 for an additional group in the same program

Location

Virtual Online

partners

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