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*Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden Integration Plans
http://www.cincinnatizoo.org
Contact: Ken Freeman 1.513.475.6130
E-Mail: ken.freeman@cincinnatizoo.org

About the Provider The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden opened on September 18, 1875. The zoo was founded by Andrew Erken Breuher, a German-born immigrant and animal lover who worked to establish a zoological garden in Cincinnati. The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is located on 79 acres in the center of the city. It includes over seventeen major outdoor exhibits and nine exciting indoor exhibits.

The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden offers Distance Learning programs for delivery over two-way audio/video teleconferencing. This medium combines the close-up views of television with the personal attention and interaction of having a guest speaker in your class. Programs are designed to engage students in active learning and complement classroom study of a variety of biological and earth science topics. All programs are delivered live by zoo educators.

Videoconference Programs are available

Fees:
$90 per program per site
(Part II of a two-part program is $65.00; demonstrations for faculty and administrators are $45.00). In addition, schools outside of the Ohio state network are responsible for dialing in to the Zoo's bridge.

Registration Form

Technical Requirements: The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden uses a Picture-Tel Venue 2000 teleconferencing system. Participants must have access to two-way audio-video teleconferencing at a speed of 128 kbps (ISDN) or faster). This zoo cannot connect at a speed as high as 1536 kbps (full T-1).

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden does not use a program schedule. You may choose any program and they will work with you to schedule a day and time.
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Programs - Distance Learning

Animal Adaptations ---------------------------------	Grades 3 - 8 Adaptable for K-2 & 9-12
Students will learn about physical and behavioral characteristics that help animals survive in their specific habitats. Students will meet animals that are adapted to different climates, eat different foods, and have different strategies for defending themselves. They will observe "up-close" the physical characteristics that help these animals meet their needs in differing environments, and they will create adaptations for a new animal, based on its climate, diet, and defense needs.

Endangered Species I - The Hippo Dilemma	Grades 4 - 12
Students will learn the five main causes of the decline and endangerment of animal populations. The program is designed for grades 4 - 12, with the sophistication of discussion adapted according to grade level. Hands-on activities for younger students help them follow along and stay engaged. With older students, active discussion of tough environmental issues can lead to lively debate.
Endangered Species II - The Elephant Solution	Grades 7 - 12 Adaptable for Grades 5 -6
This sequel to the Endangered Species program presents the solutions to the problem of declining animal populations. Discussion builds upon the concepts presented in the Endangered Species program, and includes global and local strategies and action needed to protect species from extinction. (Endangered Species I strongly recommended as a prerequisite.)

Nobody Likes Me	Grades K - 5 Adaptable for Grades 6 - 12
Students will encounter amphibians, bats, and snakes. They will learn why these animals are important ecologically and what makes them interesting and beautiful. Students will have a chance to share their thoughts and emotions about these animals, and negative myths will be dispelled. As they watch, listen, and participate, older students will create an adopt-an-animal ad for each animal, to provide a hands-on, kinesthetic component to the program. Younger students will discuss what they might say in their ad and can complete the hands-on work as a follow-up.

The Wonderful World of Bugs	Grades K - 12
Insects are the most numerous and diverse group of animals on earth. In this program, students will see a variety of insects and other arthropods (insect relatives) and learn about their important ecological roles, life cycles, as well as interesting and sometimes bizarre features. This program capitalizes on the Cincinnati Zoo∂s nationally renowned insectarium, which has one of the largest collections of exotic invertebrates in the country.

Classification	Grades 3 - 10
Students will learn the hierarchy of the Linnean classification system and the key characteristics of either vertebrates or invertebrates at the class level. By participating in a "20-Questions"-style guessing game, students build an understanding of asking key questions in a particular order to determine to which group a specimen belongs. This sets the stage for using and creating dichotomous keys.

Zoo Careers	Grades 7 - 12
The first part of this program allows students to become Zoo Directors and guides students in developing a blueprint for how their new Zoo would be designed. Students are also challenged to develop a mission statement to summarize what their Zoo represents. During the second half of the program, students will meet Cincinnati Zoo employees (via videotape) and hear what selected workers do each day, what education and skills are required to obtain their respective jobs, and how school subjects are applied in the workplace. This program does not include the use of live animals.
Radiant Rainforests		Grades 6 - 12
Students will learn about the remarkable biodiversity of two rainforest types -- tropical and temperate. Focusing on the tropical rainforests of South America and the temperate rainforest of the Pacific northwest, students will learn about the similarities and differences of these two rainforests in terms of climate, flora, and fauna. This program is also available (and recommended) as a two-part series. Concepts of biodiversity and rainforest layers are introduced first through exploration of the tropical rainforests, and the comparison with the temperate rainforest follows in Part II.

Mission Ecosystem		Grades 3-8
In a videoconference with the Zoo, students will learn how to define and locate ecosystems, how all processes are connected within an ecosystem, and how an ecosystem can be impacted by humans. The Florida Everglades ecosystem will be used to build student understanding of food chains, and the African savannah ecosystem will be the model for discussion on the interconnectedness of food webs. The program concludes by encouraging students to visit their own “backyard ecosystem” to gain an understanding of biotic and abiotic processes occurring on a local scale.