The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo presents Conservation Scientists for a Day! (Grades 4-6)

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo invites young people to join us in our mission to sustain wildlife and wild places. In this workshop, we will have students act as Conservation Scientists for a day! This workshop will inspire students to think and act like scientists by having them research the needs of an endangered animal of their choosing, design enrichment opportunities for them in a zoo setting, and understand how conservation initiatives help animal species in the wild. Students will then share their findings via ArcGIS Story Maps, a digital application used by conservation scientists! Scientists utilize ArcGIS Story Maps to share their findings with public audiences.

We will show students an example of a Story Map featuring Western Lowland Gorillas. The first section of the Story Map will focus on researching their lives in a natural habitat. The second section of the Story Map will focus on how we provide enrichment activities at the zoo to ensure they remain happy and healthy. The third section will focus on conservation efforts that benefit gorillas in the wild.

Following this workshop, students can engage in a post-session activity by completing a citizen science submission. Your students’ ArcGIS Story Map can feature maps, videos, pictures, and text to present your research on the animal of their choice. The Story Maps should also feature enrichment activities that would benefit the animal in a zoo setting and how it contributes to their wellbeing. Using this platform allows your students to expand their skillset and use an application that is widely used by conservation scientists in the field. If your class would like to share their ArcGIS Story Maps with the zoo, you can submit their work to us at conservationchampions@calgaryzoo.com.

Click here to join on the day of the event

About the Mayor's Environment Expo

The annual Mayor's Environment Expo is held in conjunction with National Environment Week with the goal to empower and educate Calgary’s youth to practice and promote environmental actions, shaping a healthier and greener city for tomorrow.