Education

6 SUPPLEMENT TO THE FREE PRESS • SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 2024 EDUCATION GUIDE Education that gets you o to a great start As part of that experience, students get to meet with zoo conservation staff, learn about the citi- zen science-based Beluga Bits program, receive behind-the-scenes tours of the zoo's animal nu- trition and hospital areas, and even work with the zoo's animal ambassadors. They also spend time in a classroom reviewing what they have learned and are required to keep a journal as part of an ethogram exercise designed to catalogue the be - haviour of the animals they observe. The Leaf was added to the mix last year to pro- vide more earth-based learning. As part of the Leaf's curriculum, youngsters learn how to tap maple trees, make cedar or Labrador tea, and study the importance of plant life within the Indigenous Peoples Garden with a knowledge keeper. "What we try to do is give them some oppor- tunities that they wouldn't get on a conventional field trip," says Tulloch. The lessons offered through the Goodman- School residency are designed to complement a school's existing curriculum. Zoo educators work closely with teachers to come up with a learning plan that builds upon what students have already been taught in the classroom. Tulloch says participating students give the program a passing grade. "I've had some kids say to me, this is the best week ever," she says, laughing. "They also feel some kind of ownership of the zoo after day two or three. They feel they have some autonomy and they're learning too. There's a little bit of freedom that emerges with the program." Ecole Sun Valley School teacher Kyle Donnelly took part in the Goodman School program with his class last fall. He says it was a "once in a life - time" experience for both him and his students. "Honestly, this is a dream scenario as an educa- tor in my opinion and getting to have students en- gage in this kind of hands-on experiential learn- ing," he says. "Talking or reading about a topic can be great, but if you can explore it first-hand those are rich lessons and experiences that kids will remember. "Going forward if we're hoping to save our planet and fight climate change and things like that then you need to first have that connection with nature. You need to love nature in order to want to save it. I think that was achieved in this program." As part of the program, students and their teachers can choose an area of focus for their residency. Don - nelly's students chose to explore the subject of why are zoos needed. Their residency included a nature photog- raphy workshop, an arctic animals presentation, a tour of the zoo's animal hospital and food preparation building and interacting with some of the zoo's res- idents. They also studied the seven sacred teachings of Indigenous culture with an elder after visiting many of the animals associated with those teachings. Donnelly says one of the neat things about the- program is how it continued to inspire his students after their residency wrapped up. This past spring they planted a pollinator garden at the school after learning about tallgrass prairie and how it is one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world during their residency. "I can't imagine that experience will be some- thing they forget anytime soon," he says. "For me, it was a career highlight. This is as good as it gets for experiential learning and connecting with na- ture. I'm sure it will be a lifelong memory for those kids." SUPPLIED PHOTO The Leaf is now part of the Goodman School program to provide earth-based learning. What we try to do is give them some opportunities that they wouldn't get on a conventional field trip" — Bonnie Tulloch, Assiniboine Park Conservancy Education Coordinator CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 SUPPLIED PHOTO The aim of the Goodman School program is to give students learning opportunities they wouldn't receive on a regular field trip. St ude n t p a rt ic i pa n ts ke ep a lo g de s i g n ed t o c ata l o gu e th e b eh aviou r o f t h e a ni m a l s t h ey obse rve. P HO T O B Y A SSI NBO I NE PA R K CON S ER V ANCY

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