Zoo Education Solar Power Energy Generation Guide
Zoo Education Helps To Increase Knowledge
By Genevieve Thomson
Zoo education is sometimes a rite of passage that allows
toddlers to feel grown up and experience the awe and
amazement of seeing exotic animals up close.
Sadie Jo Smokey at The Arizona Republic writes: "For
more than five years, the zoo's breakfast program has
been popular with toddlers and parents. The kids eat,
engage in some activities, and then visit the featured
animal. In addition to the breakfasts this season, the
zoo offers two new programs to expose young ones to
other creatures and habitats; a guided trail walk and
a farm experience."
Around the world, a number of zoos hold special activities,
events and programs to facilitate education and interest
in animal conservation. After all, the zoo is about
so much more than animal exhibits!
Seeing Live Wild Animals So Close
A London Zoo has recently received two awards for its
zoo education programs. In 2004, the United Kingdom's
Chester Zoo won the Sandford Award (run by The Council
for Environmental Education).
Judges called the Chester Zoological Park "an
excellent resource" and said that "nothing
could compare to seeing live, wild animals at close
quarters." In 2009, the zoo won this same award
again.
7,000 Animals At Chester Zoo
Zoo head of Discovery and Learning, Stephen McKeown,
explained: "The awards take into account our whole
approach to conservation education, including taught
educational discovery programs for schools, interactive
materials, award-winning signage at animal enclosures
around the zoo and extensive library facilities.
What makes us different from a normal classroom is
the environment we occupy and the 7,000 animals within
it. Seeing and handling things from live snakes to snake
skins and exploring the x-rays of animals opens up a
whole new world that more and more students are now
taking advantage of." The Chester Zoo is just one
of many parks offering unprecedented access to exotic
animals.
Visiting The Houston Zoo For Free
Many opportunities are available for zoo education
at the Houston Zoo. As their mission statement plainly
says: "By promoting connections with the natural
world through diverse learning experiences, we strive
to empower others to inquire, act and conserve."
Teachers and students can review and visit the zoo
for free and enjoy a number of special activities, including
an Adventure Class (where students touch animals and
artifacts in a hands-on lab simulation), Eco-Tracks
(where students watch a 30-minute video and take a self-guided
tour) or Critter Encounters (where students watch a
factual 20-minute presentation).
There are also overnight adventures, which include
dinner, continental breakfast, interactive activities,
petting zoos, guided walks and two park admissions for
$45. Kids ages 10-12 can attend Zoo Keeper Camp to learn
about the day-to-day activities of animal caregivers
for $425. Other "Zoofari" camp events allow
children to build their own large-scale animal zoo,
learn how species adapt to new environments and partner
up with conservationists.
Camping Overnight At The Melbourne Zoo
The Melbourne Zoo offers overnight camp activities,
conservation classes, teaching opportunities and school
programs in their zoo education division. Younger kids
will learn about animal habitats, cycles of life and
animal similarities/differences, while other kids learn
about carnivore evolution, animal exhibit design, meerkat
psychology and survival behavior.
Sleepovers and full day programs at the zoo allow students
an immersive study of biological topics. Conservation
study topics include Investing in Nesting, the Orangutan
Browse Plantation Project, Conservation Connection,
Trees/Paws/Claws, Web Spinners, Planning for Parrots,
Bags for Burramys and Biodiversity in Your School. There's
no limit to what you can learn during a full day at
an Australian zoo!
About the Author:
Genevieve Thomson has written a number of articles on
Our Living Planet, Solar Power and Renewable Energy including
Endangered Animals,
Save The Earth,
Water Conservation,
Whale Watching Trips,
Solar Power System,
Solar Thermal Systems,
Alternative Power Systems,
Hybrid Car,
Recycling Programs.
Look out for new articles as they become available on this site.
Little Known Zoo Facts.....
Where are some of the most famous zoos located?
The most famous zoos are always
located in highly populated areas. Why? It is because
there are more funding options available. Some of the
most famous zoos around the world are: San Diego, St.
Louis, London, Orlando, Washington D.C. and Brisbane,
Australia.
The Brisbane Zoo is very famous
because it was run by the late Steve Irwin who worked
tirelessly on helping save animals from becoming endangered.
His work led to the zoo becoming extremely popular and
is one zoo that you should try to visit sometime in
your life.
|
