Education
Youth (5-14)
Ride the wave and splash into Shedducation.
We’ve got programs that will inspire and amaze you, whatever your age. We’ve got what you love: animals, adventure and academics (the fun kind). What’s keeping you? Be the cool kid on the block. Tell your friends you hang out at Shedd.
Shedd Explorers Weekends
Life as a Reptile
Explore the unique survival techniques and adaptations of reptiles in this two-hour program designed for 11- to 14-year-olds. Meet several of Shedd’s resident reptiles to discover the characteristics of snakes, lizards and turtles. Interact with others to discover how reptiles live in nearly every imaginable environment, from the tropics to the Arctic Circle, as well as in your own backyard.
Saturday, Sept. 11, 1-3 p.m.
$15 a person ($10 for members)
To register, please call 312-692-3206.
Amazon—Seasons of the Rain Forest
Explore Shedd’s Amazon Rising exhibit to uncover the secrets of the river and floodplain forest in this two-hour program designed for 11- to 14-year-olds. Use investigation techniques to discover unique adaptations of Amazon animals such as the anaconda, freshwater rays, red-bellied piranhas and giant bird-eating tarantula. Then find out more about the people of the Amazon River basin and how their experiences affect our lives.
Saturday, Nov. 6, 1-3 p.m.
$15 a person ($10 for members)
To register, please call 312-692-3206.
Shedd Explorers: Explore and Restore Northerly Island
Explore the Local Waters exhibit in front of and behind the scenes to discover the importance of our local watershed and Lake Michigan. Then walk to Northerly Island, a 91-acre nature park, to explore the plants and animals that call Chicago home. Get your hands dirty helping to restore this natural area and discover the impact that one person can have. This program is designed for 11- to 14-year-olds and includes lunch.
Saturday, Oct. 9, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
$32 a person ($27 for members)
To register, please call 312-692-3206.
Shedd Explorers is sponsored by the Sara Lee Foundation.
Asleep with the Fishes Group Overnights
Grab your sleeping bag and pillow and join us for an overnight adventure at Shedd Aquarium. Before snuggling into your sleeping bag, immerse yourself in the world’s many aquatic environments through special programs, games and hands-on activities. In the morning, enjoy a continental breakfast and visit with the animals once more before your journey comes to an end. These programs are geared for children in kindergarten to grade 6.
Fall 2010 dates
Oct. 15 and Nov. 19
6:30 p.m. Friday – 8:30 a.m. Saturday
Spring 2011 dates
Jan. 21, Jan. 28, Feb. 4, Feb. 18, March 11 and March 18
6:30 p.m. Friday – 8:30 a.m. Saturday
To register, call 312-692-3206. For more information, download brochure.
Shedd Explorers: River Canoe Trip
Jump in a canoe with Chicago River Canoe & Kayak and Shedd staff members to explore one of Chicago’s natural spaces. See birds, turtles and fishes and discover hidden signs of urban wildlife. Chat with an aquarist from Shedd with a passion for our local waters and try to stump him or her with your questions. This program includes transportation to and from the Chicago River launch site along with light snacks.
Registration is closed. Join our e-mail list to hear about upcoming programs.
Shedd Explorers is sponsored by the Sara Lee Foundation.
Shedd Explorers: Sail the Great Lakes
Explore the waters of Lake Michigan! Set sail with Shedd and observe the natural beauty of one of our Great Lakes. Light lunch and travel included. Program meets at Shedd.
This program is for children 11 to 14 years old and departs from Shedd.
Registration is closed. Join our e-mail list to hear about upcoming programs.
Shedd Explorers is sponsored by the Sara Lee Foundation.
Shedd Explorers: Explore Indiana Dunes
Hike the sand dunes, discover and help natural environments at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. With Shedd educators and a National Park Service ranger as your guides, you and your friends will become citizen scientists when you contribute to a restoration project.
This program includes transportation to and from Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and lunch.
Registration is closed. Join our e-mail list to hear about upcoming programs.
Shedd Explorers is sponsored by the Sara Lee Foundation.
Summer Worlds Tour
This summer camp on Chicago’s Museum Campus is for children ages 5 to 10 years old. Campers will explore new and exciting worlds at the Adler Planetarium, travel back in time to meet the mightiest prehistoric giants at the Field Museum and transform into explorers of the aquatic world at Shedd Aquarium. Activities include investigating exhibits, creating original art projects, playing learning games and having lunch along the shoreline of Lake Michigan.
Each camp session runs Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
$285 a person ($255 Shedd, Field, or Adler members)
Registration is closed. Join our e-mail list for early notices about upcoming programs.
Shedd Explorers Summer Camp
Dive into the diverse world of aquatic animals and meet the people who care for them. Chat with Shedd Aquarium's experts and explore a day in the life of a veterinarian, aquarist, animal trainer and field research scientist. See our aquatic habitats through new eyes as you experience a special behind-the-scenes look at the waters of the world. Next, explore the local Great Lakes ecosystem when you canoe the Chicago River. Apply scientific knowledge to your own backyard as you identify native plants, birds, turtles and fishes.
Each camp session runs Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
$295 a person ($265 Shedd members)
Registration is closed. Join our e-mail list for early notices of upcoming programs.
Shedd Explorers is sponsored by the Sara Lee Foundation.
Discounts on many educational programs and classes is just one of the great perks of Shedd membership. Become a member today!
