Zoo Science Stations

Inquiry-Based Science at the Zoo
Funded by a grant from Tektronix, Inc. of Beaverton
and GTE

Zoo Science is the Oregon Zoos new science education program that makes the zoo an even more exciting place to teach and learn science. For the first time, teachers and students can learn and practice science skills while helping the zoo collect important research data.

Field trips to the zoo have long been a way for teachers to provide science experiences for students. The animals and exhibits are rich in content and there are many ways for students to practice science process skills. Until now however, it has been difficult to provide students with the experience of a complete scientific study or "experiment". The usual one-day field trip visit does not allow for development and completion of a genuine student research project. It is not possible for students to control and manipulate conditions in the exhibits for purposes of conducting an experiment. Concern for the well being of the animals means that individual students cannot do things to the animals to test a question.

Zoo Science strives to overcome these difficulties and lead students through the process of science from asking the initial question to analyzing the data and forming a conclusion. Modular Science Stations are placed at eight different animal exhibits at the zoo. Each station poses a research question related to the behavior of the animals in the exhibit. Trained student Science Station explainers engage visitors and invite them to form a hypothesis about the animal. Visitors then spend a few minutes in direct animal observation and record their observations on data sheets. All data sheets are collected by the student explainers who compile the information for presentation on summary graphs. The graphs are displayed at the Station and are updated weekly.

Although the stations focus on studying animal behavior, their larger learning objective is to give students understanding and practice in the scientific process. The natural attractiveness of the zoo animals makes it easy to overcome student resistance and involve them in science learning that many find difficult and would otherwise avoid. The scientific approach to problem solving, once mastered, can be used in all subject areas. Zoo Science stations make teaching science easier and the materials sent to teachers prior to visiting the zoo provide resources for integrating Zoo Science into on-going classroom learning.

The curriculum meets the science content standards set by the Oregon Department of Education. It involves a variety of abilities and skills to meet common curriculum goals for grades 3-12 science inquiry.

For information on this program call the zoos Education Registrar at (503) 220-2781 or e-mail at