Conservation Education
Legacy funding has allowed the Zoo to expand our education programs, both at the Zoo and throughout the state. By expanding existing programs and developing new programs we are able to reach a broader audience. We are increasing offerings for all ages in many different ways. Public opportunities to interact with Zoo staff have increased, and continue to expand. We are able to offer new programing to our guests, taking advantage of the new Target Learning Center space. The arts are being used, including theater, sculpture, and other media.
Outreach efforts include providing significantly more on-site interaction with guests by zookeepers, including new interpretation of animal enrichment activities. Our Close Encounters provides scheduled on-site animal demonstrations for guests each day.
The Zoomobile program has been expanded to provide additional staff for program presentation throughout the State of Minnesota. Limited scholarship funds are available to organizations which cannot fully fund a Zoomobile presentation. Legacy funds have also increased our scholarships available for low income Minnesota residents to attend Zoo Camp.
The new Target Learning Center is being utilized in a number of ways. The Bird Show programming has been expanded, and includes additional emphasis on Minnesota species. Funds have also increased our free adult lecture series, and support a concert series of local artists. Theater opportunities during the summer will include productions during the day and on some selected evenings.
Legacy funds supported the development, design, and production of a live theatrical performance Odessa’s Amazing Animal Adventure during the summer of 2012. The production focuses on the importance of biodiversity and the natural world. It was well received by both children and adults alike, and our FY13 appropriation will support the remounting of this production during the summer of 2013.
Previous Legacy funding provided for design of a new black bear exhibit at the end of the Minnesota Trail. Private funds provided for construction. These Legacy funds allowed us to provide interpretive programming and native Minnesota habitat within the exhibit. The funds provided the finishing touches on this beautiful new exhibit, which educates our guests about the Minnesota native black bear.
Laws of MN 2011, 1st Special Session, Chap. 6, Art. 4, Sect. 2, Subd. 7 appropriates $1,500,000 each year in FY12-13 for "programmatic development of the Minnesota Zoo."
- Increase in the amount of on exhibit enrichment and human/animal interaction each day.
- Number of new keeper-led programs (informal/random and formal/scheduled) developed.
- Guest comments about programming.
- Black Bear exhibit opened in the fall of 2012. The interpretive program elements creatively convey the connections between black bears and Minnesota cultural and natural history. Measurement after exhibit is built as part of on-line teacher survey after classes have visited the zoo.
- Quantification of an increase in counties visited by Zoomobile.
- Quantification of an increase in people served by Zoomobile.
- Students and teachers that participate in the expanded education program pilots will be required to complete brief surveys regarding the quality of the programs, the extent to which the programs engaged their interest, and the effectiveness of the learning objectives for each program.
- An average of 85 participants per session will attend the adult “Our World” Speaker Series.
- 35-45 low income students will participate in Zoo Camp and other Zoo education programming as a result of scholarship assistance.
- Achievement of educational goals through theater programs will be measured through the administration of survey instruments developed by a contracted outside evaluator. An evaluation report will be produced outlining the effectiveness of the show at impacting the knowledge and attitudes of our audience connected to the concept of biodiversity as well as their overall satisfaction with the show.
- 75% of youth attendees (ages 6-12) that also complete the companion activity guide will demonstrate increased knowledge of biodiversity and the Zoo’s role in conservation.
- Attendance will average 1,000 visitors per show (96 shows) for a summer 2013 goal of 9,600 visitors.
Moodle and Webinars – Teachers will be engaged throughout the process; a team of teachers will be solicited to serve as advisors to this project, ensuring that the Zoo’s process and delivery meet their needs and those of their colleagues. Success will be measured by extent of participation in programs, feedback from program surveys, and hits and growth of members and activity within the Moodle community.Curriculum – Curriculum and resources will be piloted by a team of local teachers and reviewed by experts at regular intervals for content integrity, age-appropriateness, standards-alignment, and overall effectiveness. Students from select pilot classrooms will participate in informal focus groups to gauge quality and effectiveness of material from the perspective of the end-user.For new evening theater production success will be measured by number of tickets sold for production; participants satisfaction with the production; and media coverage.
Laws of MN 2011, 1st Special Session, Chap. 6, Art. 4, Sect. 2, Subd. 7 appropriates $1,500,000 each year in FY12-13 for "programmatic development of the Minnesota Zoo."