During the summer of 2020, a lesson was in progress at the Akron Zoo.
The focus: Camouflage.
The audience: 50-60, children from ages 6-10.
The format: Digital.
The instructor directs the children to pay close attention as the camera (a cell phone) pans around the room. A shout, “I see it! I see it” erupts from the speakers of the phone. Suddenly more shouts of “there it is” and “I see it!” come over the speaker. The instructor laughs and reminds the group to mute their microphone so that everyone can hear. This reminder, however, is ignored and similar statements are shouted for the rest of the lesson. Who would have thought that learning about camouflage in a virtual format would be this much fun?
That is our goal for the Akron Zoo’s education team. We want learning to be fun. We want people of all ages to be as excited about science and the natural world as we are. In 2019, we had the opportunity to visit over 40,000 people at schools, senior centers, churches and community centers. We provided a fun and educational opportunity for about 650 children in summer camp. We’ve hosted almost 700 groups for field trips at the zoo. Over that last few years, we have continually increased the number of people we have been able to serve and provide engaging science education.
In our efforts to connect people to wildlife and increase education in science, technology, engineering and math, we have met and worked with many people. We thought that we would share some of the education team’s favorite experiences.
"A few years ago, the Akron Zoo co-sponsored an education program with the local chapter of the International Lion’s Club for blind and visually impaired students from 1st – 12th grade throughout Summit County. We toured the zoo and a first grader named Michael insisted on finding his way with his cane as he held my little finger; every 3 minutes he would say “Miss Deb, Miss Deb?” Back in the classroom, three tables were set up with animal feathers, pelts and skulls that students rotated through. They had never experienced anything like it and every student just lit up; it was the most humbling experience that has ever happened to me."
- Deb, Special Programs Coordinator
"One day after our “Wild World” Animal Show, I asked a guest if she enjoyed the show. The guest proceeded to say, “Honestly, I’m not a big fan of zoos and aquariums, because I feel bad for all the animals; I feel they are here for our entertainment.” I asked her to stay after and then discussed with her how accredited zoos and aquariums educate, conduct observational research and conservation programs with our animals to help their cousins in nature. I spoke about how the welfare of our animals is top priority. I also let her know that our animals love doing the show and if they did not want to participate, they don’t have to. After going in depth about the story of zoological facilities, she was amazed and said, “I’m glad I spoke to you, I never knew that zoos and aquariums did all that, I will definitely think differently of animals at zoos and aquariums!”
Entertainment experience is about connection-to the moment, to the content, to the animal. In that sense, shouldn’t education be entertaining? Aren’t creating connections our very aim in our educational endeavors?"
- Todd, Conservation Education Coordinator
"I do a program with 5th graders at a local school where they research an animal and design enrichment for him or her. The learners always start out with almost no knowledge and by the end they know so much about the animal and their habitat. The enrichment the learners design is so amazing and well thought out, I know it always impresses all the staff with their designs. And you can’t beat the enthusiasm the 5th graders bring to the projects and then getting to see the animals receive their enrichment!"
- Carrie, STEM and Curriculum Coordinator
One time I was conducting a free summer ZooMobile program at a local community park and there was a kid in the audience that remembered me from a grant-funded Akron Public School program I taught in the fall. He was so excited to answer my questions and share the knowledge that he remembered learning from the last time I saw him. He even tried to make his friends more comfortable with touching the snake by telling them “I was scared too but it’s really cool!” I thought this was a really cool example of how we can make an impact.
- Cory, Family Programming Coordinator
Several years ago, I had the honor of working with an amazing group of 5th graders from St. Vincent de Paul on a STEM project. They helped me to design a harness for our North American porcupine, Forest. I was blown away by their designs and material suggestions! The completed harness, which Forest is now learning to put on, is a true collaboration of the ideas from this awesome group of students!
- Jenn, Wild Animal Keeper III
A few years back, I was presenting a Rainforest program for a senior group at a local library. During the program, I talked about the zoo’s conservation effort with Cans for Corridors, and how habitat fragmentation really impacts the animals in that ecosystem. After the program, one of the participants approached me and said that she had bags full of cans in her garage, she would normally bring to a recycling center, but she wanted to donate them to the zoo, and would I wait for her to run home so she could get them? I did, and we filled a zoo van with cans, and she also took the Cans for Corridors flyers I had to distribute at her church. That moment really stuck with me because I got to see the “conservation action” that was inspired during that presentation, which is not something we typically get to experience as educators.
- Debra, Training and Trends Coordinator
It has truly been an honor providing unique experiences and science education for schools and other groups across Summit County and throughout Northeast Ohio.