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life science

Live from the Heart

Information

How it works

Live from the Heart is offered simultaneously to one class onsite at the Museum and two classrooms around the country with videoconferencing capabilities. The three classrooms participate in the same program at the same time. Each class can talk to and see the surgical team as well as each other.

Trained Museum educators facilitate the videoconference program. You'll follow our lead and co-facilitate the experience with us. At approximately 9:15 a.m. Central time, we'll connect to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, Ill. to watch the surgery.

A few weeks before your program date, we'll send you links to curriculum materials for use in your classroom, including several classroom activities for use before and after the videoconference.

Each school is limited to taking one onsite session per school year to ensure access to as many schools as possible. We encourage schools with more than 35 participating students and/or multiple classes to register for additional remote sessions.

For offsite participants

For groups who dial in, check your videoconferencing equipment to make sure all systems are working at least one week before the program. If you have a problem that you think won't be resolved in time, please call us at (773) 947-6798.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How does my class participate?

    Your class must participate on one of the scheduled program dates on Wednesdays between September 11, 2019 and June 10, 2020 (except 12/25 and 1/1) from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Central (the length of the surgery). Classes can either take part onsite at the Museum or remotely from a classroom with video-conferencing equipment.

  • What is the payment policy?

    Live from the Heart is $300. A 30 percent non-refundable deposit must be received two weeks prior to the start of your program quarter as follows:

    • Fall programs (September - November): Deposit due by September 4, 2019
    • Winter programs (December - February): Deposit due by November 20, 2019
    • Spring programs (March - June): Deposit due by February 19, 2020

    If you do not submit your deposit in time, your session will be given to another group. You will receive an email reminder about the deposit policy two weeks before your deposit is due. Final full payment is due two weeks before your scheduled session. If you do not pay in full on time, your session will be given to another group and you will forfeit your deposit. 

  • What if I have to reschedule or cancel?

    If you call to reschedule prior to the start of your program quarter, you will be moved to an available spot or put on the waiting list if no spots are available. If the rescheduled session is in the current program quarter, the 30 percent deposit is due immediately, with the remainder due two weeks prior to your session. Groups that reschedule also will be charged a $10 rescheduling fee.

    If you call to reschedule during your program quarter up to two weeks before your session and we are unable to move you to an available spot, you will be placed on the waiting list and forfeit your 30 percent non-refundable deposit. You may not reschedule less than two weeks before your session.

    If you must cancel, you will forfeit all fees that have been paid. Groups that do not call to cancel and do not show up for their session will forfeit all fees paid and will not be allowed to register for Live from the Heart for one year.

  • What can I do if I can't reserve a session?

    We offer a Live from the Heart classroom kit with a non-live version of the program that enables teachers to facilitate the program on their own in their classrooms. The kit includes a Teacher Guide with lesson plans, DVD of an open heart surgery, and a Facilitators Guide. The classroom kit is $325 and additional student journals are $1.50 each.

  • What is the teacher's role during the program?

    We expect teachers to take an active role during Live from the Heart. We would like teachers to assist Museum educators with the hands-on activities, distribute materials, handle discipline issues and the like.

  • Is it safe for the patient to have the surgery broadcast?

    The surgical team at Advocate Christ Medical Center has determined that it is safe to broadcast the open-heart surgery. The dedicated team of professionals at Advocate would never put a patient's health at risk.

  • Does the patient know his or her surgery will be broadcast?

    Yes, the patient knows that his or her surgery will be broadcast. Each patient discussed Live from the Heart with the surgical team at Advocate before agreeing to participate in the program.

  • What if something goes wrong during the surgery?

    We don't expect any problems, but the surgical team is prepared to disconnect the live feed if something does go wrong. In that case, the Museum educators will present a different version of Live from the Heart, which we know you will enjoy.

  • What if a student, teacher or chaperone gets sick during the surgery?

    Our research has led us to expect few – if any – such incidences. If, for some reason, a student does feel sick, a chaperone will guide him or her to a nearby bathroom. We will provide the student with water and soothing mints, and if he or she cannot continue watching the program, we are prepared with alternative, related activities.

  • Can parents come to the Museum to watch with their child?

    The field trip is arranged through the school, so parents will have to discuss chaperone rules and regulations with the teacher.

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