Education

4 SUPPLEMENT TO THE FREE PRESS • SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 2024 EDUCATION GUIDE CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 A one-of-a-kind educational program is providing elementary school students a hands-on opportunity to learn about conservation and the animal kingdom. The Goodman School program was launched by the Assiniboine Park Conservancy in 2018. It provides Grade 4 to 6 students a week-long residency at the Assiniboine Park Zoo and The Leaf where they get to participate in a variety of directed activities designed to deepen their relationship with animals, plants and nature. "It's based on experiential learning models. It's designed to give kids a hands-on approach to learning beyond the conventional classroom setting," says Bonnie Tulloch, the conser- vancy's education coordinator. "Often times when you just come for a one-day field trip the kids are hyped up in that moment. This gives them a more extended learning experience." Funding for the program was provided by the Goodman Foundation, a charitable orga- nization named after well-known Winnipeg music teacher and philanthropist Dororthy Goodman and her family. The Goodman School is open to students from across the province. It usually accepts five or six classes, or between 125 to 150 students, each school year. Schools must fill out a de- tailed application form to be considered. The program begins in October and can run until March depending on how schools wish to break up the week-long experience. Goodman School gets passing grade from participating students Zoo program helps shape future conservation leaders BY JIM TIMLICK GOODMAN SCHOOL SUPPLIED PHOTO Goodman School participants receive a behind-the-scenes look at life at the Assiniboine Park Zoo. SUPPLIED PHOTO

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