Page 21 - The Nature of Community

“When I got to Eden Place, I was amazed. I actually did feel like I was in Eden.
I loved everything about this program. The environment, the staff from the Zoo,
the children’s interest. The whole experience was magical. And, it has opened my
eyes and my family’s to nature. My granddaughter let a caterpillar crawl on her.
My grandson thinks he’s a cool dude and he enjoyed digging in the dirt. Shelly made
me taste peppermint right out of the ground and it changed me. I sit outside now
and listen to the birds and take pictures. Before I wouldn’t have even paid attention.
Now I want to plant milkweed so the butterflies will come. It opened my eyes
to a world I was part of but wasn’t aware of.”
– Tosca King, SCIENCES participant from Bishop Shepard Little Memorial Center

The results of this project don’t fit neatly into a package, nor As the Chicago Zoological Society looks to the future
should they. The project was complex, navigating profound of its outreach and community engagement, we are commit-
and difficult issues: access and broadening participation of ted to applying the knowledge we have gained. SCIENCES
audiences underrepresented in science, socioeconomic injus- fundamentally challenged and changed the way we will
tice and unequal access to resources, and innovation within continue to develop and facilitate educational programs
the context of institutional infrastructure, to name a few. in communities. It is our mission to engage children and
Obstacles were encountered. Challenging issues prevailed. families with our science and environmental education
Both institutions faced unexpected hurdles along the way. programs from early childhood through adulthood.
Both learned, recalibrated, and continued to move forward. Every cultural institution, every community organization,
Even in the midst of challenges that seemed daunting, and every neighborhood is different, with unique strengths
together Eden Place and the Chicago Zoological Society and challenges. It is our hope that the SCIENCES project
offered unique opportunities for professional, student, and provides individuals and organizations with insight for
public audiences of all ages in and near Fuller Park. Strong future partnerships and community-based informal
relationships with community members were established learning initiatives.
and nurtured.
In gathering information for this publication, in every
single conversation with participants, they expressed
gratitude and enthusiasm for activities that gave community
members the opportunity to learn and to shine; to gain not
only access, knowledge, and experience—but particularly in
the case of young participants­—­ confidence and mastery.

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