Buffalo Zoo University - School Programs at the Wildest Place in Town

The Buffalo Zoo and Erie 1 BOCES Partner to Offer Unique ZooTech School Programs

ZooTech, school programs co-developed by the Buffalo Zoo and Erie 1 BOCES, are now available to all school districts in the Erie 1 BOCES region.

Officially launched in November 2011, the ZooTech programs are designed to incorporate technology with the Zoo’s everyday “living laboratory” of animal residents. Lessons taught under the ZooTech programs are designed for students of all ages and cover a wide variety of subjects. The ZooTech programs have fully been developed as Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs that fulfill education standards in a fun and unique way.

"As part of the program, we will help teachers translate their examples into lessons that will align with NYS Common Core Learning Standards," said Julianna Sciolino, manager of professional development at Erie 1 BOCES. "After instituting their lessons in the classroom, the students will attend class at the Buffalo Zoo to interact with the concepts they have been learning. Finally, the students will utilize technology to create and publish examples of their new knowledge." 

“This is certainly not your traditional fieldtrip,” said Tiffany Vanderwerf, the Buffalo Zoo’s Curator of Education. “By being surrounded by some of the world’s most amazing animal

species, the ZooTech programs allow a variety of subjects to be more deeply explored by using advanced technology. Aside from the STEM-related curriculum connections, a social studies teacher can deepen their students’ understanding of world hemispheres and an art teacher can discuss exhibit design.”

On Friday, May 18, 2012, a Sweet Home Senior High School 9^th grade class, under the direction of chemistry teacher, John Elliot, will participate in a ZooTech program that features the theme “Evolution: Beyond Darwin’s Voyage.” Students will be immersed in an interactive exploration of evolution. By challenging students to act as though they have discovered a new island (“Zoo Island”, this program allows them to experience the breakthrough that Charles Darwin made more than 180 years ago.

As part of the lesson plan, the program implements technology with use of evolution simulations and flip cameras. Students will gain an understanding of common ancestry and create a wildlife documentary that features video they take of the Zoo’s animal residents.

"It is our hope that the Buffalo Zoo trip will be beneficial to students by giving them a chance to use technology (internet research, video shooting/editing) to create a visual examination of evolutionary relationships among live animal specimens,” said John Elliot, chemistry teacher at Sweet Home Senior High School. “This will create an authentic learning experience that will ideally anchor their understanding of evolution and allow them to draw conclusions from events and items they encounter in their day to day lives. They will then share these videos with the rest of the class, allowing them to become educators."

While the students create their documentaries at the Buffalo Zoo, Erie 1 BOCES professional development coordinator, James Dailey, will provide the students with multimedia assistance. On May 22, an Erie 1 BOCES representative will also offer in-class assistance with the importing of the students’ captured video into iMovie.

For more information about the ZooTech programs, please call the Buffalo Zoo at (716) 995-6128 or visit www.buffalozoo.org.

About the Buffalo Zoo

Founded in 1875, the Buffalo Zoo is the third oldest zoo in the United States. Each year, the Buffalo Zoo welcomes more than 400,000 visitors and is the most visited cultural attraction in Western New York.  Located on 23.5 acres of Olmsted's beautiful Delaware Park, the Buffalo Zoo houses approximately 1,200 endangered and domestic animals and offers visitors a variety of events and educational programs year-round. The Buffalo Zoo’s philosophy is to exhibit animals and plants in naturalistic settings that represent their native habitats. The Zoo is dedicated to providing visitors with a better understanding of nature, including how animals relate to each other, their environment and to humankind. For more information about the Buffalo Zoo, including the Zoo’s “Bundle Up For Polar Bears” initiative, which is taking place through March 16, visit www.buffalozoo.org.

About Erie 1 BOCES

Statewide, school districts partner with BOCES in an effort to provide accountability, municipal sharing, efficiency and educational equity. Erie 1 BOCES, one of 37 BOCES in New York State, is a cooperative of 19 school districts surrounding the city of Buffalo. To assist school districts, the organization provides a variety of educational services including professional development. Erie 1 BOCES' coordinators engage teachers in high quality professional development through classroom practices that integrate the NYS learning standards, assessments and technology to support higher student a­chievement. The service area supports: instructional technology, curriculum, assessments, instruction, and NY state education department updates. Learn more at www.e1b.org.

  

About Sweet Home Central High School

Sweet Home Senior High School is part of the Sweet Home Central School District of Amherst and Tonawanda. It is the mission of the school district to empower all students to be cooperative, self-directed and lifelong learners, prepared to responsibly meet the challenges of the future. For more information, please visit www.sweethomeschools.com.

Erie Canalway Connections with the Buffalo Zoo

Take advantage of a unique grant-based opportunity for you and your 3rd-5th grade students. The Buffalo Zoo and the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society have partnered together to bring you “Erie Canalway Connections,” an engaging program utilizing two of Western New York’s treasured cultural institutions. 

Your class will first explore the Historical Society to participate in guided museum tours of the Oishei Pioneer Life Gallery, where students can imagine the experience of life in Buffalo more than 200 years ago,  and marvel at their hometown industry in the Buffalo Made exhibit. Through the use of interactive museum exhibits and a hands-on craft, students will discover ways the Erie Canal has affected human  life in the Western New York community. Students will then travel to the Buffalo Zoo, where they will explore the Delta Sonic Heritage Farm. This exhibit replicates a working farm found along the Erie Canal during the 1800s. While at the Zoo, students will observe live animal demonstrations and participate in hands-on activities that help them explore ways the Erie Canal has affected (and still affects) wild spaces.

Your class can participate in “Erie Canalway Connections” for ONLY $100.  All other fees, including admission to the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society and the Buffalo Zoo, as well as all bus fees, will be covered by grant funds. This project is funded in part by the Erie Canalway Heritage Fund.

Available 2012 dates to book this program are:

April 20
May 11, 25, 29, 30
September 14, 21, 28
October 12, 19, 26
November 2, 9, 16

If you are interested in booking this program for your class or you would like some more information, please call the Buffalo Zoo’s education department at (716) 995-6143. 

Limited Opportunity for Grant-Funded Zoo Programs!

Would you like to have your class participate in a FREE zoo program?  We have 2 program offerings available that are funded by a generous grant from HSBC Bank.  Programs are aligned with the NYS and Common Core Learning Standards.  

1.  I Love Nature: An introduction to our natural world

Outreach Program for grades Pre-K -1^st

Young children are introduced to the wonders of nature and encouraged to safely and respectfully explore the outdoors. Basic concepts of natural interrelationships and their own role in nature are discussed. One half of the program is spent outdoors exploring the environment, after which their “discoveries” are discussed indoors. This program also includes one live animal ambassador. 

To register for this grant-funded Zoomobile program (presented at your school), please call (716) 995-6123 or email rsanecki@buffalozoo.org

2.  Conservation Investigators 

Onsite School Program at the Zoo for grades 5-8

How do scientists save endangered species? Students will become Conservation Team Investigators to uncover reasons why animals are endangered and to find out how research can help protect species. Use tools of a field biologist to learn how they find clues to locate animals in the wild. They will then visit Ecostation, the Zoo's modern research field station exhibit, and investigate conservation issues!

The grant funds cover the cost of the class and Zoo admission for your group.

To register for this grant-funded Onsite School Program (presented at the Zoo), please call (716) 995-6143 or email rmuffoletto@buffalozoo.org

Experience the Zoo!

In our introductory blog entry, we would like to familiarize you with the variety of programs offered by the Buffalo Zoo’s Education Department

The Buffalo Zoo is committed to educating students about animals, their habitats, and how we can help to protect and conserve the world’s natural resources.See our program quick facts below, and click on each program title for more information.

At the Zoo:
Guided Tours (adapted to any level). FREE! Book 8 weeks in advance. Our busiest months for tours are May and June.

On-site School Classes (grades K-12). Programs are held in our Education Department classroom and include hands-on exploration and live animal contact.

ZooTechLabs (grades K-12). The Buffalo Zoo, in partnership with Erie 1 BOCES, is thrilled to offer a new suite of technology infused programs that will help you fulfill the new Common Core Learning Standards. It all begins with an in-depth teacher training. BOCES aid is available to all CSLO districts.

Zoo to You:
Outreach Programs (grades pre K-12). Our ZooTrunk and Zoomobile programs bring live animals and biofacts right into your classroom.

Distance Learning Programs (grades pre K-12). Schools with videoconferencing equipment in Western New York and throughout the country can participate in programs showcasing live interactive footage of exhibits, animals, and staff at the Buffalo Zoo without leaving their classrooms!

Ecosystem Architects
Starting in January 2011, the Buffalo Zoo initiated a new program in partnership with the Buffalo Public School District. Ecosystem Architects is a guided inquiry-based exploration of ecosystems and exhibit design for 5^th grade students in the Buffalo Public Schools. Following a 2-day teacher training, teachers are scheduled to bring their class to the zoo for a 3 day residency program. Students become “experts” on components of an ecosystem, and work collaboratively to share and collect data on a specific ecosystem on exhibit at the Buffalo Zoo. Back in their classrooms the class uses their new knowledge to create their own ecosystem-based project. If you are a 5^th grade teacher in the Buffalo Public Schools, be sure to contact the Zoo or your Science Department to find out if you are on the list of schools scheduled to attend!

Winter Wonderland at the Zoo
Are you looking to avoid crowds during your class visit to the Zoo? Take a field trip in January or February to observe animals in winter! Most schools bring their students in the spring, but there are advantages to visiting in winter: You can walk through the front gate without having to wait in a long line, and then have the Zoo to yourself to explore! While you are here, check out the cold weather adaptations of polar bears, reindeer, and Amur tigers. As a comparison, enter a tropical oasis in our Rainforest Falls exhibit for a chance to warm up and delight in a plethora of active animals. Plus, if you book a program on your field trip date in January or February, we will offer a 10% discount on any on-site school class (excluding our new ZooTechLab programs).

Please note: The Zoo is closed to the public on Monday and Tuesday in January and February 2012. However, we are still available to visit your school on outreach or videoconferencing programs!

Zoo Admission Options for Groups
The Zoo offers discount admission options for groups of 10 or more. You will need to schedule a date with the staff in our Education Department to arrange a guided tour or on-site school program. Otherwise, you are welcome to choose your own date to visit and will not need to notify the Zoo in advance (please note that the Zoo is closed to the public on Mondays and Tuesdays in January and February).

Option 1: 25% Discount Admission Offer (PREPAID)
After selecting your field trip date, you will need to fill out our Presale Admission Form. Payment needs to arrive at the Zoo 3 weeks prior to your visit. If you also book an onsite school program, you can include program payment on your presale form. After your order has been processed you will receive a packet before your scheduled visit which will include self-adhesive badges and a list of friendly reminders. These badges must be worn by each and every member of your group. Anyone not wearing a badge will be required to pay the regular admission rate. It is the responsibility of the group leader to have everything organized for their Zoo visit. Please note badges are only valid for that scheduled day.

Option 2: 15% Discount Admission Offer (PAY ON DATE OF VISIT)
If your group cannot pay in advance, the Zoo offers a 15% discount on admission for groups of 10 or more. To receive this discount, you will need to call our Guest Services Department at (716) 995-6156 to receive the required form by email or fax. Just fill out the form and bring payment with you on the date of your Zoo visit.