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Virtual Field Trip: Turtle Check-Up 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.

Join us for a preventive animal examination of a turtle* in Shedd’s state-of-the-art animal hospital during a synchronous virtual field trip experience. Students observe alongside Shedd’s veterinary staff as they interpret X-rays, vital signs and behavior to assess an animal’s health. Students can ask members of our veterinary team questions and hear about the unique challenges that come with caring for such diverse animals. Pre and post-trip asynchronous lessons are also provided.

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

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

Grades

3 to 8

Price

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

Program duration

50-minutes

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

Select Tuesdays-Fridays. See program calendar for dates.

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