Teaching SafarI
Application window for Summer 2024 opens February 1, 2024!

FREE PROFESSIONAL LEARNING PROGRAM FOR K-12 EDUCATORS

The Teaching Safari consists of four full-day, onsite sessions at Brookfield Zoo (two weekdays and two Saturdays) and two 60-minute virtual sessions. In addition to attending and participating in these classes, participants will engage in ongoing reflection on professional growth, and create and revise a lesson plan applying program content to practice. Content and strategies explored on the Teaching Safari are informed by Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), Common Core State Standards (CCSS), and the Danielson Framework. 

OVERVIEW

✔ Enhance your content knowledge of conservation, animals, and ecosystems.
✔ Explore effective, equity-minded classroom strategies to support student inquiry, critical thinking, conceptual understanding, argumentation based on evidence, student ownership, and engagement in all subject areas.
✔ Discover new ways to develop conservation awareness in your students and to enrich learning through zoo resources and exhibits.
✔ Reflect on your classroom practice, engage in discussion with other educators, and receive individualized, written feedback from experienced zoo educator program facilitator on a lesson plan that you create and revise during this program.
✔ Connect and expand your professional learning community by becoming a part of our Brookfield Zoo Teaching Safari Network and enjoy free registrations for designated online and in-person professional development events.
✔ Teaching Safari participants who complete all course requirements may elect to receive 35 free professional development hours or two (2) free graduate semester hours from Dominican University.* Participants who complete the Safari will also receive a Certificate of Completion from Brookfield Zoo and four (4) complimentary zoo passes for immediate family.

ITINERARY 

Our safari begins with a two-day expedition focused on Brookfield Zoo’s Great Bear Wilderness, inhabited by brown bears, polar bears, bison, and the bald eagle! As you learn about these amazing animals, you will explore a variety of inquiry-based, student-centered teaching strategies that you can apply in your classroom across subject areas.

Teachers will also participate in an onsite, two-day "variety expedition" adventure combining educator professional development to support student learning as we explore The Swamp, The Living Coast, Hamill Family Wild Encounters, Hamill Family Play Zoo, and other animal habitats throughout the zoo.

       

Day 1: Great Bear Wilderness

Introduction: What is Conservation Leadership? Developing Conceptual Understanding Through Equity-Based, Student-Centered Teaching.

Observing Bears as Phenomena: A Gateway to Inquiry and Problem-Based Learning


 

 

Day 2: Great Bear Wilderness 

Brown Bear "Food for Thought": Sensemaking with Mathematical Data and Scientific Models 

A Habitat for Bears in the Human Heart:
Exploring Diverse Perspectives Through Art and Empathy

 

Day 3: Zoo Variety 

The Swamp: Swamp Music: Keeping Learning "In Tune" with Student Schema, Language, and Experience.

The Living Coast: Transform "Ho-Hum" Science Activities with Humboldt Penguins: Planning and Carrying Out Student-Centered Investigations through Inquiry. 

 

Day 4: Zoo Variety 

Hamill Family Play Zoo & Wild Encounters: Strategies for Empowering Students to Access and Take Ownership of Learning in School and Beyond.

Empowering Student-centered Learning through Animal Behavior Studies: Building Collaboration and Understanding through Student-Centered Assessment and Goal-Setting.  

 

READY TO SAFARI?

Choose your Adventure!
We encourage two or more educators to register from the same school to help support your professional learning community. Because 2 of the 4 classes meet on weekdays, Principal/Supervisor approval is required for participation in the Teaching Safari.
 

Applications for our 2024 safari open February 1, 2024.

Please join our mailing list to be notified of this and other future programs. 

Join The Mailing List!

Fall 2023 COHORT Schedules

Grade K-5 Cohort Schedule

We encourage two or more educators to register from the same school to help support your professional learning community. Because 2 of the 4 classes meet on weekdays, Principal/Supervisor approval is required for participation in the Teaching Safari.

Grade 6-12 Cohort Schedule

We encourage two or more educators to register from the same school to help support your professional learning community. Because 2 of the 4 classes meet on weekdays, Principal/Supervisor approval is required for participation in the Teaching Safari.

October 13 - December 16, 2023

Days 1 & 2: Great Bear Wilderness Expedition
Friday and Saturday, October 13 & 14, 2023
Onsite at Brookfield Zoo
8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. each day6 PD hours and lunch provided each day


Virtual Check In: Online Meeting
Wednesday, October 18 or Thursday, October 19
4:00 to 5:00 p.m. via Zoom

Days 3 & 4: Variety Expedition Expedition
Friday and Saturday, November 3 and 4, 2023
8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. each day
6 PD hours and lunch provided each day 

 

Required: Independent Learning | 11 total PD hours
- Draft Lesson Plan due Monday, October 30

- Revised Lesson Plan and Concept Map Reflection due December 6


Virtual Check In: Final Meeting & Reflection
Saturday, December 16
8:00 - 9:00 a.m. via Zoom

September 20 - December 2, 2023

Days 1 & 2: Great Bear Wilderness Expedition
Wednesday and Saturday, September 20 & 23, 2023
Onsite at Brookfield Zoo
8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. each day6 PD hours and lunch provided each day


Virtual Check In: Online Meeting
Wednesday, October 4 or Thursday, October 5
4:00 to 5:00 p.m. via Zoom

Days 3 & 4: Variety Expedition Expedition
Friday and Saturday, October 20 and 21, 2023
8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. each day
6 PD hours and lunch provided each day 

 

Required: Independent Learning | 11 total PD hours
- Draft Lesson Plan due October 11

- Revised Lesson Plan and Concept Map Reflection due November 17


Virtual Check In: Final Meeting & Reflection
Saturday, December 2
8:00 - 9:00 a.m. via Zoom

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Teaching Safari program is presented by the Institute for Science Teaching Excellence (ISTE) at Brookfield Zoo to support educators in teaching Science and Conservation Leadership. Conservation Leadership encompasses not only an understanding of animals and ecosystems, but empathy, joy, and appreciation for the natural world shared in a spirit of equity and stewardship. We look forward to taking this safari with you!

Brookfield Zoo Teacher Network members will receive a 20% discount on Web+ Classes in the Advanced Inquiry Program (“AIP”) Master's Program. AIP is a master's degree program offered by Brookfield Zoo in partnership with Miami University, Ohio. The AIP Master's degree program focuses on education, sustainability, and local conservation actions. For more information, contact Agnes.Kovacs@czs.org.

*IEIN number, documentation of attendance at all sessions per Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) guidelines, and completion of reflections/lesson plans per rubric are required for professional development hours or semester hour credit. Certificate, stipend (for participants electing professional development hours), zoo passes, and network benefits will be awarded upon completion of all program requirements. 

We look forward to welcoming you to Brookfield Zoo! Enjoy our 235-acre zoological park, featuring more than 2,400 animals belonging to over 400 species. Read on to learn how to maximize your zoo visit!
 

The Institute of Science Teaching Excellence is made possible in part by support from: Polk Bros.Foundation,
the Christopher Family Foundation, Nicor Gas, Northrop Grumman, and State Farm®.

Graduate credit provided by: 



Have questions?
Please contact Patsy Steinmeyer at ISTE@czs.org