Applied ScienceInformation and guidance for teachers

Contents

Learning ObjectivesLesson planPlan a routeSuggested activities to link with sessionThings to arrange prior to visitThe day of your trip: arriving at the ZooYour teaching session

Chester Zoo Giraffe keeper at work

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One of our Discovery sessions in action!

GCSE and AS/A2 Applied Science

Lesson Plan

This new session has been introduced to fit in with GCSE Applied Science unit ‘Science in the Workplace’ and AS/A2 ’Investigating Science at Work’. Using audio-visual resources with examples of science in action, this session will focus on:

▪ the background of Chester Zoo including its history, the services it offers, its role within the wider community as well as the significance of its location▪ the variety of different scientific roles found within a modern conservation orientated zoo▪ three scientific job roles will be focused on in detail, looking at the skills and qualifications required for these jobs▪ some important Health and Safety requirements (with handout)▪ the ways in which energy consumption is managed at Chester Zoo

Our male Sumatran Orang-utan, Puluh

A primate keeper feeding the lemurs

Learning ObjectivesAfter attending this session, students will be able to:

• outline the services that Chester Zoo provides and its role in the wider community• list some of the scientific job roles found within the Zoo, the key responsibilities of selected positions, as well as the skills and qualifications required• understand the importance of health and safety within the organisation and outline some of the steps that are taken to ensure standards are met

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Plan a route Species and exhibits discussed in the session (see map on the next page for location)

▪ Ring-tailed lemurs at ‘Lemur Island’

▪ Asian Elephants at ‘Elephants of the Asian Forests’.

▪ ‘Spirit of the Jaguar’ exhibit

▪ Chester Zoo’s Black Rhinos at ‘Tsavo Black Rhino Reserve’

Other exhibits that may be of interest

▪ The ‘Acting Locally’ exhibit provides information on Chester Zoo’s harvest mouse release project as well as other native species conservation work that the Zoo supports

▪ The reed bed opposite the elephant paddock area which is used to clean the water from the elephant pool

▪ The current exhibition in the Joseph Banks Room, ‘Zoo Vets – the inside story’ showcases the work of Chester Zoo’s vet team

▪ Just inside the entrance of the ‘Monkeys’ exhibit there is a viewing window that looks into the Primate Keepers’ kitchen, where all the food preparation takes place. Also, keep an eye out for primates using enrichment in the nearby enclosures

▪ The observation post adjacent to the elephant paddock area provides more information and video footage on the work of the Zoo’s elephant keepers

A Chester Zoo vet at work

Applied Science: Exhibits to Visit

Acting Locally Exhibit

Education Centre Elephants

of the Asian Forest

Reedbed Area

Monkeys

Joseph Banks Room

Tsavo Black Rhino

Reserve

Spirit of the Jaguar

Lemur Island

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Suggested activities to link with session

Before visit

▪ Come up with a list of scientific job roles you would expect to find at Chester Zoo. Compare this with the list in the latest copy of the Zoo’s Annual Review which can be accessed online at http://www.chesterzoo.org/global/about-us/annual-reports ▪ Attempt to work out what people in these roles actually do. What is their role and what would their daily duties include?

During visit

▪ Please do not carry out visitors surveys in the Zoo.

▪ Look out for ways in which the Zoo attempts to reduce its impact on the environment and manage energy consumption.

▪ Look out for examples of how the Zoo is involved in research and conservation and the sort of science that might be used in this.

▪ Visit the ‘Zoo Vets - the inside story’ exhibition in the Joseph Banks room. This will give you an insight into the work of Chester Zoo’s vet team and there will be a member of staff there to answer any questions.

After visit

▪ Come up with some ideas for environmental enrichment to encourage natural behaviour in our animals (e.g. feeders, climbing structures, smells etc).

A member of Chester Zoos Botanic team at work

Explorer TrailsA selection of curriculum-linked self-directed trails to use in the Zoo are available to download at http://www.chesterzoo.org/WhatWeDo/Education/Explorer%20Programme.aspx

Students at a tropical bird

feed with a Presenter.

Things to arrange prior to visit

▪ Please check details on confirmation letter, any queries please call 01244 650205/ 389444

▪ Arrange a pre-visit to the Zoo, contact us 01244 650205/ 389444 for details.

▪ Arrange appropriate number of group leaders and collate contact details.

▪ Assign students to a group leader, ensure students and leaders know the running plan for the day, have staff contact details and map of the Zoo

▪ Ensure group leaders have a plan for the day including; student names, time and location of teaching session (e.g. a copy of the confirmation letter) and where to meet, if necessary, after the session as well as a map of the Zoo.

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Special Educational NeedsWe welcome pupils with special needs. Please notify us of their requirements in advance, so that we can tailor our programmes to your pupils' needs. Additionally, please inform us of any wheelchair users in the group or any specific allergies that we should be aware of.For more information on disabled access please refer to the Zoo website at http://www.chesterzoo.org/Visit/GettingAround/Access

%20facilities.aspx

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Sheba is our oldest Asian Elephant at over 55 years of age!

The day of your trip: arriving at the Zoo

▪ Please help us to make your entrance to the Zoo as smooth as possible

▪ Allow plenty of time to get to and into the Zoo, it can take over 30 minutes to enter the Zoo and reach the Education Centre, particularly at busy times of year.

▪ On arrival the group leader only should approach the Main Gate with the confirmation letter. Students and other staff should remain on the coach.

▪ Once the paperwork has been completed the group leader can collect the group from the coach to be counted into the Zoo by Gate Staff.

▪ There are toilets at the main entrance both inside and outside the Zoo.

Rainy day – indoor enclosures

▪ There are many indoor enclosures: (please see map on the next page)

▪ Other enclosures with indoor viewing include: Monkeys, Chimpanzees, Spirit of the Jaguar, Tsavo Black Rhino Reserve, Elephants of the Asian Forest, Realm of the Red Ape, Butterfly Journey, Islands in Danger and the Aquarium

Rainy Day Visits

Cheetah

Butterfly Journey

Islands in Danger

Fruit Bat Forest

Monkeys

Elephants of the Asian

ForestChimpanzees

Spirit of the Jaguar

Realm of the Red Ape

Tsavo Black Rhino Reserve

Secret World of the Okapi

Tropical Realm

Aquarium Grow Zone

Your teaching session

▪ Sessions are run in 3 classrooms all located in the Education Centre next to the Spirit of the Jaguar exhibit.

▪ Please be aware that it can take 30+ minutes to cross the Zoo particularly at busy times of year.

▪ On arrival at the Education Centre please wait outside the appropriate room (Cook, Columbus or Cousteau), as stated on your booking confirmation, for an Education Officer to greet you. Please don’t block doorways to education classrooms as there may be classes about to leave.

▪ Each teaching session will last approximately 50 minutes.

▪ There is plenty of open space for lunches outside the Education Centre. On rainy days there is an indoor picnic area next door to the Arara café near the Education Centre.

▪ There are toilets near the Spirit of the Jaguar house just past the Education Centre.

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Students following Explorer Trails in the Zoo

If you are delayed for any reason and may be late for your teaching session please contact 01244 650205/ 389444, we may be able to help!

If you have found this information useful or think there is something that we could add to help your day run smoothly please let us know at learning@chesterzoo.org

Enjoy your visit!