What’s New At The Zoo? Bird breeding season, our brand new main entrance, and Africa Live!
coming in 2006! So much has been going on, it’s so exciting. Our baby black rhino, Utenzi, son of Sababu, is growing up quite nicely. His horns, made out of keratin, the same material as our hair and fingernails, are growing fast. He will be full grown in just a few years, just in time for his new home to be ready in Africa Live!
Did you know that black rhinos probably derive their name as a distinction from the white rhino (itself a misnomer) and/or from the dark-colored local soil covering its skin from wallowing? It is also believed that the wo rd ‘white’ for our white rhinos is possibly a derivative of the word ‘wide’ which describes its wide mouth adapted for grazing, compared to the black rhino’s finger-like upper lip used for stripping leaves from trees and shrubs. Thus, the black rhino is also known as the prehensile-lipped rhinoceros.
Teachers, we invite you to come out and see all that’s happening and to plan your next trip, by using the coupon for free admission found in the back of our EdZooCator spring newsletter mailed to your school, or available here at the Education Center. If you would like to be on our mailing list, e-mail us at our schools department with your contact information, including your mailing address: schools@sazoo-aq.org
.
Come on over to the Zoo this summer and get some Real.Wild.Training
. We offer one day Teacher Workshops and two day Teacher Seminars, providing up to 12 CE credits and a certificate upon completion, not to mention a uniquely exciting training experience! You can also book a session for the upcoming school year. Contact us for more information: 210-734-7184 x127
Explore: Field Trip Creativity
Saturday, June 11 - Sunday, June 12
9-4pm each day Focus Grades: K-12
Field experiences are significant educational enrichments for you students. The San Antonio Zoo offers many resources and ideas in a professional development workshop setting to help you make the most out of your time here at the Zoo. This session will concentrate on purpose, design and assessment of TEKS oriented curricula and create dialogue on what to do on days when field experiences seem impossible . Together as a group and in grade appropriate breakout sessions, we will (1) identify the most significant experiences our students receive and those we want to provide more of, (2) discuss barriers to such events, and successful field experiences had by our colleagues and (3), in coordination with our education staff, library, and biofact collection, construct new curricula and teacher kits that you can take with you, or have available here at the
Zoo. Topics included in these seminars are: water conservation, adaptations, scavenger hunts, and more!
Biodiversity: Valuing Diversity
Saturday, July 23 - Sunday, July 24
9-4pm each day Focus Grades: K-12
Biodiversity, " our most valua ble but least appreciated resource…is meant to be all inclusive - it's the genetic based variation of living organisms at all levels, from the variety of genes in populations of single species, through species, on up to the array of natural ecosystems. This includes plants, animals, insects, fungi, bacteria, and all microorganisms ,” explains the authorecologist E.O. Wilson. During this workshop we will further define the various forms, hotspots, and threats to biodiversity locally and globally . We will use Wilson’s concept of biophillia , investigating how to reinforce value and understanding in our students and parents of all ages and backgrounds, as well as in ourselves as educators. Through age/grade appropriate breakout sessions and TEKS based curriculum design, we will focus on a cross curricular approach to (1) rejuvenating our own appreciation for diversity in life, (2) exploring the effects of ecophobia in our communities, (2) and realizing the significant roles of Zoos in conservation biology and education.

Conservation: The Zoo and You!
Saturday, July 9 9-4pm Focus Grades: Secondary
What modern zoos are doing today not only enriches our present lives, but will also make a big difference to the future of our natural world and our place in it. The primary purpose of an accredited zoo is to support conservation through education, and to practice top rate animal care.
It is the mission of the San Antonio Zoo to foster appreciation and concern for all living things.
From our bilingual signage to our water conservation efforts and animal close-ups, we will (1) examine and discuss the role of the Zoo in our community, both locally and globally, (2) recognize what you can do with your students and school community to help make a real difference, and (3) interact with and create exciting TEKS based curricula for you to use with your students when discussing aspects of diversity, adaptations, and interactions, in class and also with after school programs. This workshop is hands on, and dialogue based, with a cross curricular approach.
You’ll be inspired and well prepared for a dynamic school year after this Real.Wild.Teacher
Training.
at your San Antonio Zoo!
# CPE
Credits
Alien Invasion & De-vine Intervention: A Closer Look at Exotic Species
Saturday, August 6 9-4pm Focus Grades: 4
– 9+
The ANTS are marching in! No, not a scene from a long summer family reunion! This is another
TEKS based Real.Wild.Teacher Training workshop, right here at your San Antonio Zoo. The negative effects of invasive species, creatures introduced into a new habitat where they once had never lived, are the leading cause of loss of biodiversity in the United States. Together, we will
(1) understand how past events affect present and future events, and analyze what may happen when part of a system is removed, changed, or disrupted. We will (2) utilize fun and refreshing classroom based curricula to understand how these alien invaders have come to be, and (3) what conservation techniques have been utilized in this alien battle. A cross-curricular approach and multimedia technology will stimulate your imagination, and prepare you for your upcoming school year.
Contact
Time
Training at
SA Zoo
Training at
School
2 units 2 hours Real.Wild.Classroom.
Campus Connections
School Cost
6 units 6 hours
$300
10-30* people per room
($15/person)
Teacher Workshop
$300
10-30* people
($15/person)
Teacher Workshop
School Cost
12 units 12 hours
$450
10-30 people
($30/person)
Teacher Seminar
$450
10-30* people
($30/person)
Not Available
At This Time
School Cost
$600
10-30 people
($50/person)
N/A
* Can accommodate more participants dependent on space availability.
Our teacher training opportunities are held at the Education Center of the San
Antonio Zoo, or can be arranged at your school. Each session also includes continuing education credit hours . We have several themes, or you can design one yourself. Contact us for more information, or to reserve your training date now. Our calendar fills up quickly! schools@sazoo-aq.org
210.734.7184 x127

The San Antonio Zoo's Education Department is seeking camp counselors to lead its upcoming summer camp programs. Camp counselors are responsible for developing camp activities and teaching animal related topics. Three positions are available to lead the following age groups: K-
1st, 2nd-3rd, and 4th-6th grade. Time commitment is June 6-Aug 5th, Monday-Friday from
9:00am-4:30pm.
Qualifications:

Strong communication skills. Ability to express oneself clearly and concisely.

Knowledge and experience in the fields of education or science.

Ability to relate effectively with the public, especially young children K-9.

Ability to work outside in weather typical of South Texas.

Good disposition, hard working, creative with an interest in taking on a variety of tasks.
Deadline for applications, April 30th
If interested, please contact Katie Mook, Educations Programs Coordinator for more information:
210-734-7184 ext. 114 or email edprograms2@sazoo-aq.org
Volunteer! Summer Naturalist Program.
If you don’t want to be tied down to a job over the summer consider volunteering as a Summer
Naturalist . Flexible schedules and hours of summer education fun could be just what you need to rejuvenate yourself after that long crazy school year. Contact Sara at volunteers@sazoo-aq.org