As you can see, we’ve grown a bit…
…and so has this blog!
Last year, with the participation of over 30 schools – and over 3800 hits on this blog site – both teachers and students were able to use real data to complement classroom learning. With the information provided, classes were able to hypothesize, chart and graph the data from the project.
This year’s blog will soar to new heights…
Conservation Matters will provide the opportunity to use science lessons and animal data as part of Inquiry Mondays, STEM Fair extensions, Design Challenges, and Long Term Investigations. (Our For Teachers section will help you make the most of this project!)
…by growing wings!
We have partnered with the Mabula Ground Hornbill Conservation Project. Ground hornbills are a large bird, reaching over 4 feet in length, that have faced rapid population declines in the country of South Africa. The Mabula Project, with support from the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund, is working to stop the decline of southern ground hornbill populations in South Africa. Our blog will feature data collected from the field in South Africa, giving teachers and students a rare opportunity to get their paws on information directly from researchers!
We’re getting local help as well.
Busch Gardens Tampa is home to Baraka and Tufts, two southern ground hornbills. These brothers have offered to lend a wing too; as ambassadors of their species, they’re offering to visit the class that wins their design challenge! For more about this challenge, see our Contest page. If you haven’t already- we encourage to explore our enhanced package option (see For Teachers page).
Kasi, Mtani, Tufts, Baraka & The Busch Gardens Tampa Education Department are proud to help students connect to wildlife and wild places in a deep and meaningful way.
