Design Your Dream Zoo | (Zoology)
In this self-paced class, students will let their imaginations go wild as they design their dream zoo, aquarium, or wildlife sanctuary. To create their zoo, students will consider exhibit design, animal care, visitor experiences, and more!
Allie Wilson, MAT
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(309)
What's included
6 pre-recorded lessons
6 weeks
of teacher support1 year access
to the contentHomework
1-2 hours per week. The time that students spend on this class will vary widely depending on your student. A student likely could complete the week's tasks in an hour or two, but would absolutely have the freedom to spend several hours a week on it if they would like. Students are always welcome to simplify or expand the project as needed.Assessment
I will give thorough and frequent feedback to students. Formal grades or written comments available upon request.Grading
includedClass Experience
US Grade 3 - 6
If you're anything like me, zoos are some of the best places on earth! I love them so much that I have worked at aquariums, wildlife sanctuaries, and nature museums. Have you ever wanted to design a zoo (or aquarium or wildlife sanctuary) with all your favorite animals? Now is your chance! Whether you want an desert-themed zoo, a zoo with big cats, or a bird-only zoo, it's your job to design a zoo that both animals and guests will love. Check out the syllabus to learn more about what your learner will achieve in each lesson: from choosing animals to making a schedule for their keepers to designing enrichment activities, we will explore all the nitty-gritty that make an experience with animals so exciting. I have done this unit live with students and it is so fun to see their creativity run wild! Will you make a zoo entirely full of frogs? Will animals roam free throughout the zoo (depends on the animals, of course!)? Will you have snow machines all over for an Arctic-themed zoo? I can't wait to see what you come up with! This class is structured a little differently than my other self-paced classes and relies heavily on the participation of the learner. The learner has a high degree of independence (with lots of support) and freedom to take the project in a direction that interests them. Each lesson includes a short pre-recorded video of me discussing the lesson's plan and instructions. Students will share progress and discuss plans in our classroom. We will have weekly check-ins where students are encouraged to share their progress (through words, pictures, or videos), and discuss plans. Various posts will encourage discussion, critical thinking, and step-by-step planning for each week's task. I will be providing thorough feedback at every step of the process. I am happy to provide constructive feedback and suggestions, but also to help a student consider what they need to consider in the design of their zoo. I encourage every student to take this project in their own direction with their own creativity! I value my students' experience and want it to be a fun and fruitful course. Please email me with any questions about this exciting course!
Learning Goals
Students will practice creativity, problem-solving skills, and innovative thinking by creating a zoo.Students will also grow in their understanding of practical zoology and will likely grow in their love of animals and the natural world!
Syllabus
6 Lessons
over 6 WeeksLesson 1:
Plan a Theme & Choose Your Animals
Decide on the animals you'd like to keep in your zoo, aquarium, or wildlife sanctuary. To do this, we will consider which animals survive and thrive best in captivity. 1 assignment
Lesson 2:
Design Your Enclosures
Learn about the habitats of each animal and design an enclosure that is the right size and environment for the animals. Do we need a snow machine to keep it cool? Do we need a climbing playground? Do we need caves for shelter? 1 assignment
Lesson 3:
Manage Your Keepers
Create a zookeeper plan. How will your zookeepers take care of these animals? What do they need to eat and how often? Will you train the animals and have them in shows? Do your animals need medical care? 1 assignment
Lesson 4:
Create Your Map - Part 1
Create a visual of your zoo. This can be a blueprint, drawing, or digital illustration of the whole zoo or a small portion. What is your zoo named? How will you create the layout? What other features does your zoo need (i.e. a veterinary care area, a train or gondola, an amphitheater for shows, a food court, a gift shop, etc)? 1 assignment
Other Details
Parental Guidance
I am a firm advocate for well-run zoos and aquariums (which I consider to mean certified by the Association for Zoos and Aquariums in the US and similar groups elsewhere). That said, I encourage students to think about the implications of animal captivity for themselves. Students should feel comfortable in their own opinions and I welcome their independent thoughts. It is absolutely fine if they disagree with me on the merits of zoos and are welcome to pursue a model of a wildlife refuge or sanctuary. Regardless of model, all students will need to thoroughly consider animal welfare (i.e. we aren't going to put a tiger and some rabbits and some penguins all in a 10x10 exhibit).
Supply List
Learners may complete the class digitally or may use art supplies. Students completing the project digitally could use Google docs, slides, or other modeling software. Students making a physical project may want to use paper, poster board, markers, paint, colored pencils, etc.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined July, 2020
4.9
309reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Arkansas Teaching Certificate in Science
I am a teacher with experience with both middle school and high school students, teaching zoology, biology, and environmental science. Before teaching, I worked for a primate sanctuary, a major aquarium, and three science/nature museums, all working directly with animals from sloths to jellyfish to poisonous frogs.Reviews
Self-Paced Class
$9
weekly or $50 for all content6 pre-recorded lessons
6 weeks of teacher support
Choose your start date
1 year of access to the content
Completed by 26 learners
Choose your start date
Ages: 8-12
