Virtual Field Trip: Penguins
Where do penguins live? What do they eat? Why don't they fly?
Chicago is a long way from the waters of the Southern Hemisphere. So how does Shedd Aquarium provide a habitat for Magellanic and rockhopper penguins that meets their needs? In this virtual field trip, your students will see inside the penguin habitat at Shedd to observe penguins up close, while never leaving the classroom! Learn some of the surprising ways in which our Animal Care team cares for these charismatic birds.
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.
Grade levels
Grades K–8
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
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.
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-8 Students
Grades K-2
Key concepts: adaptations, habitats, enrichment, engineering, behavior, biological needs, STEM careers
Skills: observation, data collection, collaboration and communication, problem-solving
Standards
- NGSS: K-LS1-1, 1-LS1-2, 2-LS4-1
- Common Core: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K-2.5
- Amplify Connections: K – The Needs of Plants and Animals; 1 – Plant and Animal Defenses
Grades 3-5
Key concepts: adaptations, habitats, enrichment, engineering, behavior, biological needs, STEM careers
Skills: observation, data collection, collaboration and communication, problem-solving
Standards
- NGSS: 3-LS4-2, 4-LS1-1
- 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, habitats, physiology, behavior, engineering, biological needs, enrichment, STEM careers
Skills: data collection, data synthesis and analysis, collaboration and communication, designing solutions
Standards
- NGSS: MS-LS4-4, MS-LS3-2, MS-ESS2-6
- Common Core: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.4, CCSS-ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.2
- Amplify Connections: 6 – Ocean, Atmosphere and Climate; 6 - Traits and Reproduction; 8 - Natural Selection
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.
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–8
Duration
50 minutes
Partners
This project was made possible in part by the Institute for Museum and Library Services.
Price
$125 for one group
$95 for an additional group in the same program
location
Virtual online