Sounds
like the start of a joke, right? This was no joke for Copperfield Park Zoo
School students when Veterinarian, Dr. Doug Whiteside, visited to show them how
he carries out a health check of Tundi, a Blue-tongued
Skink.
Dr. Doug explained what he was doing and why to the
interested Grade 2’s. Tundi’s heart rate is monitored using ultrasound and his
temperature is taken using scanning equipment, similar to infra-red cameras. Also,
he is given a ‘pat-down’ to check his body for anything abnormal.
All
the animals in the Calgary Zoo receive regular health checks to ensure they are
in great physical condition. They are, however, not normally undertaken with as
many watchful eyes as Tundi’s experience this time. After his examination Tundi
was given a clean bill of health by Dr. Doug and his assistants!
Submitted by Dawn Hardy
Dawn
Hardy is Zoo School Ambassador at The Calgary Zoo.
Our
Grade 7 Campus Calgary/Open MindsZoo School group recently returned
from a week of studying at the Calgary Zoo. Our main goal was to explore what
it means to be a global citizen. The group had many once in a lifetime
adventures as we answered this question.
We
began our week exploring the idea of sustainable fishing. We learned the
importance of being an informed consumer. We now know how to find out where our
fish come from and how they have been caught. The Calgary
Zoo
purchases fish that have been sustainably sourced. As we discussed sustainable
fishing, we created fish popsicle enrichment for the penguins. We were able to
categorize the fish based on their unique characteristics as well.
Through
discussions about exotic pets traded in the black market, we met Regis the
snake. We learned the questions to ask when adopting or purchasing a pet. Dispelling many myths about snakes, we
learned that snakes are not cold and slimy!
Our Zoo
School group used our imaginations and became Prairie Dog Researchers. We set
the traps, caught our soft and cuddly Prairie Dogs and took many measurements
to record during our observations of them. Did you know that Prairie Dogs are
key components of grassland ecosystems?
We
also fed 3 quirky Bactrian camels that are critically endangered. These gentle
giants were mesmerizing! Through each of these experiences we learned that the
most valuable way to be a global citizen, is to share what we learn with others.
We can educate people in a way that continues the circle of learning.
A big
thank you to Chevron Open Minds Zoo School, and the
staff at Light
of Christ School
that made this experience possible!
Ms.
Tousignant
Submitted by C. Tousignant (CCSD Teacher) via Ita Kistorma (CCSD Consultant)
We love big questions, and thinking of our interconnected world. Today, what does it look like to connect with experts when going beyond classroom walls?
This week there have been two examples of classes taking their questions up in ways that weren't available to us not so long ago.
Learners at Healthy Living School at Vivo had a class question they weren't quite able to ask face-to-face so they asked it in a different way:
Learners at Aero Space School at the Aero Space Museum had a similar experience. Looking at "unseen forces" they weren't quite sure how to interpret some symbolism on artifacts that were grabbing learners' attention:
@ShelleyWL Hello Alliah. Bird is an eagle, representing space shuttle. Sun represents life (my crew performed many life science experiments)
Nureva Inc., an award-winning
collaboration-solutions company opened its doors to 5th- and 6th-grade students
from Alexander Ferguson School to help them learn about and get hands-on with
collaborative technology, such as the Span™ ideation system, to engage in
critical thinking, creativity and communication as a group. Students first created
their ideas on personal devices, shared them on the panoramic canvas and then
actively collaborated with their classmates to group, refine and shape their understanding.
Alexander Ferguson Gr. 5/6 students were
investigating their “big idea” during their week at 2School. One group looked at “How does creativity affect
change?” and the other looked at “What does it mean to be a Canadian today?”
Nureva is 1 of more than 30 local company’s
participating in 2School, which is a Campus Calgary program that has been
taking place since 2011. The 2School’s location at the Education Centre in the
Calgary beltline allows teachers and
students the unique opportunity to move their classes for one week of the
school year to the historical classroom situation in the Dr. Carl Safran
Centre. During that time, students visit participating companies, like Nureva,
to get real-world experiences to better understand the world around them and
apply their knowledge outside the classroom. “Professionals working alongside
students in engaging activities support the educational values of collaboration
and exploration,” said Trish Hubbard, 2School coordinator at the Calgary Board
of Education. “And the experience with Nureva has been transformative as
students are able to learn about new technologies, assess them, revise and
justify their new understandings.”
2School provides opportunities for teachers
and students to uncover curriculum through the unique lens of public education
and the role it plays in our democratic society. The historical classroom
serves as a base from which student’s explore past, present and future in a
dynamic downtown community.
Blog post contributed by Trish Hubbard, 2School coordinator
