Upon our return from winter break, the 5th grade jumped back into school with an unforgettable field trip to The Field Museum that was packed with discovery, excitement, and plenty of wow moments!

Our morning was all about science, and we wasted no time diving in. We kicked things off in the Evolving Planet exhibition to finalize our research on different time periods in Earth’s history. Students explored eras like the Devonian, when plants first began to seriously diversify, the Permian, which introduced specialized eggs that didn’t dry out, and the Tertiary period, famous for its giant sloths that definitely stole the show. Along the way, students marveled at wild ancient ocean creatures.

Next, we headed to the special exhibit Age of the Dinosaurs, where students came face-to-face with the life that exploded once the dinosaurs no longer ruled the Earth. From there, things became even more engaging with a hands-on talk led by a real scientist, Dr. Kevin Feldheim, who studies the DNA of shark pups. Students asked thoughtful questions and loved learning how scientists do real-world research. They also had the opportunity to handle preserved shark parts, including massive jaws and giant fins. After that, we settled in for the 3D movie Titanosaur, which made us feel like we were walking alongside enormous dinosaurs.

We wrapped up the day in the Native Truths exhibit, connecting back to our 5th grade reading and writing unit on Native American beliefs and values. Students searched for artifacts and explained how they reflected cultural traditions and ideas. After a full day of learning and adventure, we hopped back on the buses and headed to school — tired, happy, and buzzing with new knowledge.