This is a paid production from the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium.
Simplified: A new initiative by the zoo and the Promising Futures Fund will bring more learning opportunities to historically underserved children, and it's just one of the many ways the Sioux Falls Zoo and Aquarium emphasizes the importance of literacy and learning.
Why is this important?
- The Great Plains Zoo (GPZ) and the Promising Futures Fund We worked together for years to give kids opportunities. Experience the zoo through field trips and zoo camp scholarships.
- This partnership includes Focus on literacy Through a new initiative funded by a grant from the Mary Chilton Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Foundation.
- This program The program is being piloted this year at Garfield Elementary School. ā Helps children make connections between what they are learning in the classroom and what they experience on field trips to the Zoo and Butterfly House Aquarium (BHA).
“This paves the way for not only sparking an interest in reading in children, but also an interest in animals, nature and conservation,” said GPZ/BHA Director of Education Lee Spencer.
Can you tell me more about your new program?
Garfield's Kindergarteners This year there are three opportunities to interact with animals. At the same time, students will learn basic reading and writing concepts.
- In the fall, students will visit the Butterfly House and Aquarium.
- And in the winter, the zoo plans to bring the Zoomomobile into children's classrooms.
- And finally, in the spring the children can go on an excursion to the zoo.
this is, Unique to Sioux Falls Spencer added.
“This is an opportunity for our mid-sized zoo in Sioux Falls to do something innovative that may inspire other zoos to consider similar partnerships,” she said.
It is expected that students will continue this program into their first year. Eventually it will be expanded to all elementary schools. Provided by Promising Futures Fund.
“Anything we can do to get kids excited about reading in the early grades puts them on the path to success,” said founder Steve Hildebrand.
Hildebrand also said the program is primarily Targeting students from low-income families, It gives kids the opportunity to go to the zoo who might not have been able to go otherwise.
In what other ways does the zoo support learning?
Spencer said the zoo's education programs have grown significantly over the past decade, reaching out to all ages.
- During the school year, the zoo ZooCub classes for children ages 5 and under. Each class includes lessons and stories, hands-on exploration, special animal encounters and a tour of the zoo.
- Regularly “Bookworm” Storytime There is also an animal interaction experience for small children.
- Last year, the zoo Programming for Homeschool Families Open house style events are also held in the spring and fall.
- Girl Scout Troop You can earn badges by working with the zoo.
- Summer Camp It reaches children between 4 and 11 years old.
- of Junior Zoo Keeper The program is open to kids ages 12-18 and gives children hands-on experience learning how to care for farm animals and the zoo's animal ambassadors.
- and Zoomer We reach out to our community through a wide variety of events for all ages.
“We're trying to inspire a love for animals,” Spencer said.
What happens next?
The pilot program with Promising Futures Fund is expected to launch this fall.
Longer term, the zoo is also looking to establish a new education center as part of the master plan to further expand educational opportunities, Spencer added.