A Trip to the Aquarium: Exploring Life Beyond the Land

Truman Physical Sciences Professor, Dr. Rahm Almarzah, has taken the Oceanography 101 class for a trip to the Shed Aquarium, located south of downtown Chicago, on Sunday, Apr. 24, a day before the end of the spring recess.

The students gathered at the main building’s northeast gate, off Wilson Street, at 9 a.m. and the team, numbering about 20, departed by 9:30 a.m., boarded the Red Line and headed south.

Before departure, Dr. Almarzah explained the itinerary and advised students to observe safety regulations both on their way down and at the aquarium, too. He further joked with students that our “ride on the CTA Red Line is not insured by the school” and that everyone should exercise extra caution as a personal responsibility.  

Variety of Fish from the Great Lakes

At the aquarium, students had the opportunity to observe the variety of life whether based on fresh water lakes, rivers or the salty massive oceans.

According to Sheddaquarium.org, the official Website, the Aquarium, which is a part of the museum campus, hosts more than 32000 animals ranging from whales to snails.The Oceanography class explored all these animals free of cost thanks to the professor who organized the tour. 

In addition, while the rest of the regular visitors had to form long lines extending more than one city block and go through a registration process, Dr. Almarzah’s class were accorded special access through a back door and enjoyed watching the aquatic life without a hassle. 

Dr. Almarzah's Class Pose for a Group Photo after the Tour

Most students described the trip as a great experience and others said that “we have been treated like VIPs (very important persons).”

“It was so cool,” said Alex Sonov one of the students who went to the aquarium and that he “loved it.” Sonov’s love was demonstrated when he actually remained behind for another three hours while the rest of the students left after the two-hour recommended class visit.

School Resumes after Recess

Truman was, on Monday, back to business after the week of spring break. Offices and classrooms opened early to serve students who reported for morning classes and the normal school operations picked up pace slowly ahead of the last three weeks of the spring 2011 semester.

Nonetheless, it’s important to point out that this semester’s break was uncharacteristic in nature. First, unlike the City Colleges of Chicago’s recent past traditions, this break came between April 18 and 24, just a week before the final exams start.  Second, most schools, around the nation and particularly those in the Midwest, released students for spring recess on the end of March or on early April.

And finally, the break fell on the week of Easter and has thus given students, staff, and faculty an opportunity to observe the holiday with their families, and loved ones. This was welcome for many who have a strong family tradition to celebrate the occasion.

For a link to calendar events happening this week, including withdrawing from a class or registering for summer classes, please check out: http://trumancollege.edu/calendar/