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Virtual Field Trip: Turtles at Shedd

A young Blanding's turtle, still with yellow dots on its black shell, peers up at the camera as it climbs out of the water in its mossy habitat.

This program is currently sold out. Sign up to our educator newsletter to be notified when new dates are available!

Join us for a turtle tour of Shedd! Using turtles as our guide, students will step into the shoes of animal care staff as they learn what it takes to support excellent animal health care at Shedd. Students make observation rounds in the aquarium, interpret x-rays in the animal hospital and get a behind-the-scenes peek at some of Shedd’s turtle conservation efforts. A Q&A with animal care staff members follows. Hear about the unique ways we care for turtles of all shapes and sizes. Pre- and post-trip lessons are also provided.

This 50-minute program is offered for grade 3-8 classes on select Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. based on availability. 

*Animal may change at last minute due to animal care needs.

Grade levels

3–8

Duration

50-minutes

Price

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

Dates

This program is currently sold out. Please see our other classroom and pod digital resources for remote learning.

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.

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.

Grades 3-5

Key concepts: adaptations, life cycles, animal rehabilitation, veterinary science and health technology, STEM careers

Skills: data collection, observation, recognizing patterns, data analysis

Standards

  • NGSS: 3-LS4-3, 4-LS1-1, 3-5-ETS1-2
  • Common Core: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3-5.1.D, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3-5.2
  • Amplify Connections: 3 – Environments and Survival

Grades 6-8

Key concepts: adaptations, physiology, anatomy, life cycles, animal rehabilitation, veterinary science and health technology, STEM careers

Skills: data collection, observation, recognizing patterns, interpreting data, using data to construct arguments

Standards

  • NGSS: MS-LS1-5, MS-LS2-4
  • Common Core: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.6-8.9, CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.SP.B.4

Accessibility

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.

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.

Availability

This program is currently sold out. Please see our other classroom and pod digital resources for remote learning.

grade levels

3–8

Duration

50 minutes

Price

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

Partners

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