Shedd Start: A Career Experience Program

1. Audience: • High School Students; Reasons: • They will take it seriously and make the most of it • Narrowing down their interests • More likely to ask good questions and appreciate the experience • The goal is to have a diverse group with various exposure to the field • Problem: • High school students are unfamiliar of aquatic careers. • Aquatic sciences are not being taught in schools. • Difficulty accessing experiences and limited opportunities to explore interest. • Need people to manage aquatic resources and environments. Plan: Our plan is to establish a program for high school students to connect with aquatic careers through Shedd Aquarium by allowing them to shadow people with jobs in various fields, such as researchers, aquarists, and trainers. Shedd Start: A Career Experience Program “…I think people in aquatics and natural sciences deserve a lot more credit for what they do. I would also be interested in hearing more about what they do specifically and the impact they make.” • Our Vision of Success: • High school students choosing aquatic science careers. • Students seek more experiences to continue learning about aquatic careers. • Project Implementation: • Pilot programfor high school students • Participants assist staff in daily tasks • They have an opportunity to talk informally with staff • Media share out piece with the public through blogging, photo journals, and video • Careers to Shadow: • Aquarist • Marine Mammals Trainer • Researchers