Virtual Learning Experiences: K-4th Grade

Learn from Adler experts wherever you are!

Young explorers, we now have a virtual learning experience designed for you! Students in Kindergarten through 4th grade can now learn from Adler experts from anywhere in the world. No school bus or field trip permission slips required.

Sizing Up Our Solar System

This experience is unlike others out there. This isn’t simply a Zoom call walking you through our exhibits. We have custom built a virtual reality environment that invites engagement with our educators and enables discussions among classmates. All happening through a guided video call, elementary school groups will learn about the size and scale of our solar system directly as our Adler Educator uses an avatar to actually “walk” around models of the planets, moons, and other solar system objects located on the “grounds” of the 3D world that replicates the Adler’s historic lakeshore building. Our educator will show your students different vantage points of these celestial bodies and give you a deep dive into each one and the differences among them using multimedia tools.

Here’s what some of the students and teachers have had to say about their experience with us.

Tweet from a teacher who recently took their class on a virtual field trip video call. Images of her classroom and students taking the virtual field trip.      Images from a virtual field trip experience included in a tweet by a teacher who just took her students on a virtual field trip video call.

Pricing

$200 per group (50 participants max)

Book A Virtual Learning Experience Video Call Now

Session Schedule

Sessions will begin October 3 and will run through May 24 on the following days/times. Check the calendar in the registration link for most up-to-date availability.

Tuesdays: 9:30, 11:00, and 1:30

Wednesdays: 9:30, 11:00, and 1:30

Fridays: 11:00 and 1:30

*All times listed are Central Time

If a time slot is not available when you go to select during checkout, then it has already been booked. 

Registration must be booked two weeks in advance to allow for coordination.  Please refer to our refund and cancellation policy in the FAQ section should you have related questions.

About the Adler’s Virtual Learning Experience Technology

The Adler’s virtual learning experiences are held in Mozilla Hubs, a VR-style environment that is accessible through a participant’s web browser. You don’t need to download special software or acquire special equipment! You can use a desktop computer, laptop, Chromebook, tablet, or mobile devices. The experience runs best on laptop and desktop computers and in Chrome and Firefox browsers. More details here!

Safety/Security

Your group will access the experience via a private link, so you will have the virtual space all to yourselves! You and any other participating adults are asked to take the lead on group expectations and management while participating in the experience.

Adler is a Tier 1 Chicago Public School vendor

Technical Requirements

  • The Adler’s virtual learning experience is designed to work on a variety of devices, but desktop and laptop computers provide the best experience. 
  • The registrant is responsible for verifying with their organization’s IT representative that their internet connection is sufficient, both in bandwidth and in latency, to support their session. 
  • Registrants decide which platform they’d prefer to use for their video call. If you’d like the session on Zoom, the Adler will provide you with the link for the session. If another video call platform is preferred, you will provide the Adler with a link for the session.
  • Registrants participate in a Tech Check the week prior to your scheduled sessions to test video call link and all technology planned for use during the session (projectors, speakers, etc.)

Who Should Take a Virtual Learning Experience (Video Call)?

This type of virtual learning experience video call is designed for students in Kindergarten through 4th grade.

For students in grades 5th–8th grade, our immersive Virtual Field Trip experience is for you. Head over to this page for more information.

Free Virtual Learning Experiences

The Adler Planetarium is pleased to offer free virtual learning experience video calls to any school where 51 percent or more of the student population comes from low-income households. There are a limited number of free opportunities available and are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. One free experience per class, availability permitting. To apply for a free virtual learning experience please complete this form, and one of our educators will provide you with a code to input during registration.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is a virtual learning experience at the Adler and how is it different from an in-person field trip?

Virtual learning experiences at the Adler are completely new, designed from the ground up with remote learners in mind. In the virtual environment, groups will learn about the size and scale of our solar system directly as our Adler Educator uses an avatar to actually “walk” around models of the planets, moons, and other solar system objects showing you different vantage points of these celestial bodies.

How much does it cost?

A virtual learning experience video call is $200 per session for classes up to 50 participants.

What should I do to plan for the experience? Is it moderated or will I need to create my own lesson plan?

The experience is moderated live by an Adler educator. During the video call, teachers will be responsible for student management, but the experience will be led by Adler staff. 

Do students need to be all in the same place?

No! Thanks to the magic of the internet, students can join the field trip from anywhere using a unique URL during your scheduled time period. 

How long is the experience?

The video call style session lasts 30 to 45 minutes. If you have a time limitation, we can work with you! Let us know at virtuallearning@adlerplanetarium.org after booking.

What should I expect my students to learn during the field trip?

In the virtual environment, groups will learn about the size and scale of our solar system directly as our Adler Educator uses an avatar to actually “walk” around models of the planets, moons, and other solar system objects showing you different vantage points of these celestial bodies.

What age range or grade level is this appropriate for?

Our video call style session is designed specifically for K-4th grade students.

We look forward to creating more virtual field trip experiences for a wider range of students. If you would like to help Adler as we develop programming and resources for teachers and students, please join the Teacher Evaluator Group!

How can I schedule a virtual learning experience? What happens after I register?

You’ll receive an email confirming the date and time of your video call as well as guidance on preparing for your session and the link to register for your Tech Check. After receiving your Tech Check registration, an Adler Educator will reach out with next steps.

I’m not in the Chicago area, can I still schedule a virtual learning experience?

Yes! While the Adler’s primary educational audience continues to be Chicago-area schools, a completely online experience means your class can attend from anywhere.

Are there accessibility options?

Because Mozilla Hubs is a new application, accessibility features are not yet available to us. Please email us at virtuallearning@adlerplanetarium.org with your specific needs so we can talk further.

What is the capacity?

For our video call style sessions, up to 50 people can participate.

What is your rescheduling and cancellation policy?

Contact us as soon as possible—no later than TWO weeks prior to your virtual field trip date—so that we can reschedule your experience for another date. Cancellations made less than TWO WEEKS prior will not receive a refund. 

The registrant is also responsible for verifying with their organization’s IT representative that their internet connection is sufficient, both in bandwidth and in latency, to support their group. Blocked access or insufficient internet connection do not qualify the registrant for a refund or a reschedule, should they prevent the session from occurring. 

Please note: Adler’s virtual learning experiences use Mozilla Hubs, a new, still developing, open source platform. Our team will work to adapt and troubleshoot unforeseeable technology challenges if they occur during a session to provide the best experience possible. In case of sound impacts, the Educator will continue the virtual trip via the chat function with continued student participation. Outages are uncommon but possible. If an outage prevents a session from happening, Adler will work with the registrant to reschedule. 

Terms of the Teacher Acknowledgement Form also apply.

Can I schedule an in-person field trip?

Absolutely! We encourage an in-person field trip to supplement our virtual learning experiences. For more information about our in-person field trip options, please click here.

What payment types do you accept?

At this time, we accept credit card payments only.

What other resources are available for educators like me?

We love to support educators however we can. Visit our educator hub for space resources to help supplement your classroom curriculum.

Still have questions? Contact us!

Feel free to email us at virtuallearning@adlerplanetarium.org. We will do our best to reply to you within 3 business days. 

Thanks To Our Sponsors

The Adler Planetarium is grateful to the following donors for supporting Virtual Field Trips: 

 Discover Financial Services, Inc.
Knowles Foundation
A. Montgomery Ward Foundation, Bank of America, N.A., Co-Trustee

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