LEARNING FROM THE OUTSIDE IN!
Did you know there are at least thirty thousand species of algae? That's one thing students in Chris Marks' Aquatic Science class learned when some guest educators from the Shedd Aquarium came to share what they know about the plant-like organism.
Bringing in that talent from outside Saint Ignatius College Prep's walls is part of a fairly unique partnership with the Shedd. Marks says Saint Ignatius is one of just six schools in Chicago to team up with the esteemed aquarium to enhance instruction.
"We get to bring marine science to a bunch of midwestern students who are thousands of miles from the ocean," said Marks, "That's pretty cool."
Shedd Aquarium Learning Specialist Katie Rouse said, "Our goal is to support classroom teachers in helping students make connections to the aquatic world."
That brings us back to the teaching topic of the day.
Rouse hopes kids in Marks' class left with a better understanding of how algae functions in the world, and how to produce a field guide, a book that can help differentiate between species.
On January 31st, the students will tap into what they learned in their class work about six species of algae, and will try to find those examples at the Shedd Aquarium.
"This makes marine biology accessible," said Santino '24, "When we get that context, we'll have a better understanding which will allow us to learn even more when we're at the Shedd."
"We get to bring marine science to a bunch of midwestern students who are thousands of miles from the ocean," said Marks, "That's pretty cool."
Shedd Aquarium Learning Specialist Katie Rouse said, "Our goal is to support classroom teachers in helping students make connections to the aquatic world."
That brings us back to the teaching topic of the day.
Rouse hopes kids in Marks' class left with a better understanding of how algae functions in the world, and how to produce a field guide, a book that can help differentiate between species.
On January 31st, the students will tap into what they learned in their class work about six species of algae, and will try to find those examples at the Shedd Aquarium.
"This makes marine biology accessible," said Santino '24, "When we get that context, we'll have a better understanding which will allow us to learn even more when we're at the Shedd."
Saint Ignatius College Prep
Saint Ignatius College Prep, a Jesuit Catholic school in the heart of Chicago, is a diverse community dedicated to educating young men and women for lives of faith, love, service and leadership.
