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workshops, communicating with guests, and community Helping Solve
action projects. A recent grant from the Institute of the Equation
Museum and Library Services is allowing the Society to
expand the Zoo Explorers Club to fill the gap between Science learning gaps are a real
these two programs. problem in education today.

“It’s a really important bridge,” Hope said. “So many ALL 2017 ILLINOIS STUDENTS
families love ZAP!, but their children have then gone on
to pursue something else during middle school. They lose SCORING “NOT PROFICIENT” IN SCIENCE
the connection to science during these important years,
and they may have forgotten about the Society’s program- 41% 60%
ming by high school.”
8th Graders High Schoolers

TEST SCORES BY BACKGROUND

AAmfreirciacnan Latino White Asian

36% 49% 69% 81%

Only 15% of high school girls express an interest in STEM, making Zoo Explorers Club especially impactful. All Illinois eighth graders who
met or exceeded state science
Zoo Explorers Club is held at four of the same locations proficiency standards in 2017
as ZAP!: Chicago Public Library’s Rudy Lozano Branch
and West Belmont Branch, Cicero Public Library, and STUDENTS OF ALL BACKGROUNDS
Melrose Park Public Library. There are two additional
locations in Chicago’s Englewood and Fuller Park Low-income
neighborhoods. Each location allows for 15 children students scored
to participate.
27% lower
Keeping the location the same helps the program feel than non-
familiar. But while Zoo Explorers Club is designed to build low-income
on the foundations developed in the ZAP! program, it is students
tailored to hold the interest of middle school students—
the students give input on what topics are covered during Informal science education programming, such as
a school year. the Zoo Explorers Club, helps these students engage
with STEM topics in a safe, supported environment,
and they can take this knowledge back to the
classroom and apply it throughout their lives.

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