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life science

Live from the Heart

Information

How it works

Each Live from the Heart is offered simultaneously to four classrooms around the country who participate in the same program using videoconferencing. Students can submit questions to the surgical team to be answered in real time.

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.

Zoom technology works on most browsers but we recommend that you check Zoom’s website to make sure your device and browser fit the technical specifications. You do not need to download Zoom but you can use the app if you have it. If you have a problem that you think won't be resolved in time, please call us at (773) 947-6798.

Each session is limited to 40 participants (including students and teachers). We encourage schools with more than 40 participants and/or multiple classes to register for additional remote sessions.

Frequently Asked Questions: All Sessions

  • How does my class participate?

    Your class must participate on one of the scheduled program dates on Wednesdays between September 8, 2021 and June 8, 2021 (except 11/24, 12/22 and 12/29) from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Central (the length of the surgery). Your students and participants will need to connect individually and for the entire session.

  • What about in-school groups?

    Groups may connect via Zoom from a classroom with video-conferencing equipment. These groups do not have student limits as they will be using only one Zoom connection. Teachers will need to enter student questions into the Q&A of the webinar.

  • What is the payment policy?

    Live from the Heart is $250. 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 8, 2021
    • Winter programs (December - February): Deposit due by November 10, 2021
    • Spring programs (March - June): Deposit due by February 16, 2022

    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.

  • 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.

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