Training Middle Grade and Secondary Science Teachers in the Use of Zoological Collections for Science Instruction

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This Leadership Activities project will provide preparation for 30 middle/junior high school teachers and for up to 60 school administrators in the use of zoological collections in science education. Instruction will be conducted at the Bronx Zoo by education staff from the zoo, collaborating with experienced teachers and science administrators. Curriculum materials during the workshop will include the Wildlife Inquiry through Zoo Education (Project WIZE) developed with National Science Foundation funding. This award-winning curriculum was designed to link classroom study with zoo field work. The project will include experiences with JungleLab, a classroom/laboratory over-looking lush tropical settings in JungleWorld, which is a massive indoor exhibition of Asian habitats. JungleLab provides unique opportunities to observe wildlife in a setting much like that experienced by research biologists in the field. Participants will be selected based upon their leadership skills in teaching, their experiences in biology, and the willingness of their school districts to support project activities. We anticipate that following the workshop each of the leadership teachers will conduct appropriate