Page 20 - Brookfield Zoo Chicago Annual_Report_2024

Professional Learning
Advanced Inquiry Program
& K-12 Academics (AIP) with Miami University
Teaching Safari The Zoo continued to offer an
online master’s degree from Miami
Teaching Safari, a free professional
University through the Advanced
development adventure for educators,
Inquiry Program (AIP) in 2024.
brings teachers together to learn
Created for working professionals,
and share classroom strategies and
AIP combines web-based course-
insights related to teaching about
work and face-to-face experiential
animals, nature, and conservation.
learning and field study at Brookfield
90 teachers enrolled in Teaching
Zoo Chicago for an affordable and
Safari in 2024, representing over
adaptable degree path. In 2024,
50 schools from over 20 districts
21 new students joined the program
throughout the Chicago area.
through Brookfield Zoo Chicago.
Brookfield Zoo Chicago In 2024, AIP engaged 68 master’s
Teacher Classes degree students and 19 completed
their degree. Since the AIP program
We offer a variety of online and onsite began at Brookfield Zoo Chicago
classes to provide educators with in 2010, we have had 301 graduates.
strategies to develop conservation
awareness and critical thinking skills Partnerships for
across subject areas. Attendance Pollinators Celebration
at Brookfield Zoo Chicago teacher
This June, Brookfield Zoo Chicago
classes in 2024 was over 135.
hosted our very first Partnerships
New Online Learning Resource for Pollinators celebration, joining
with the Illinois Monarch Project,
ZOOvestigate!
Sag Moraine Native Plant Community,
In September, Brookfield Zoo Chicago and other partners to unite our
began sharing a new online learning community to protect pollinators.
resource ZOOvestigate! as a part Approximately 200 participants,
of our free downloadable educator including Zoo Campers, received
resources. Targeted to students in native seeds to support monarch
grades K through 8, ZOOvestigate! habitats, as well as educational
is brimming with zoo-related articles, Pollinator Patrol trading cards that
engaging activities, and colorful match pollinators with their host
photos. The resource offers teachers plants. We were delighted to be
and their students a wealth of joined by a representative from
materials to enrich learning in the the state of Illinois for the event!
classroom and during Zoo visits.
Top: Family Play Program
Middle: Teaching Safari