The Bronx Zoo Urban Advantage (UA) program is a collaborative effort between the Wildlife Conservation Society, the New York City Department of Education, and various cultural institutions, including the Bronx Zoo and the New York Aquarium. This innovative program aims to enhance students’ understanding of scientific inquiry by fostering partnerships between urban public school systems and science-focused cultural institutions.
What is the Bronx Zoo Urban Advantage?
The Bronx Zoo Urban Advantage is a program that provides students and teachers in New York City’s public schools with access to the resources and expertise of the Bronx Zoo and other cultural institutions. Through this program, students and their families can enjoy free or discounted admission to the zoo, as well as participate in virtual field trips and hands-on learning experiences.
Virtual Field Trips and Engaging Programs
One of the key features of the Bronx Zoo Urban Advantage program is the availability of virtual field trips and engaging programs for students. These virtual experiences are designed to align with specific grade levels and science standards, ensuring that the content is relevant and meaningful for students.
For example, the “Conservation Innovation!” program is tailored for 6th to 8th graders and costs $125. This 45-minute virtual program takes students on a guided tour of the Bronx Zoo’s exhibits, where they learn about finding solutions to conflicts between humans and wildlife. A WCS educator leads the virtual experience and introduces a live animal, further enhancing the learning opportunity.
Vouchers and Access to the Bronx Zoo
The Bronx Zoo Urban Advantage program provides vouchers to students and their families, which can be used to gain admission to the zoo and access to various attractions, the Zoo shuttle, and all paid exhibits. These vouchers can be used during non-school days or non-school hours and are valid for one UA student and up to three other persons. It’s important to note that parking is not included in the vouchers.
The Urban Advantage Framework
The Bronx Zoo is part of the Urban Advantage Framework, which consists of six key components:
- High-quality professional learning courses for teachers and administrators
- Classroom materials and equipment that promote active engagement with science practices
- Access to UA Partner institutions through free school and family field trips
- Family outreach through family events and parent coordinator workshops
- Capacity-building and sustainability structures
- Assessment of program goals, student learning, systems of delivery, and outcomes
Impact on New York City’s Middle School Science Education
The Bronx Zoo Urban Advantage program has had a significant impact on the New York City Public School’s middle school science education program. The program serves 46% of New York City schools with eighth-grade students, and program-wide assessments have shown that UA has increased inquiry-based learning experiences, community engagement, teacher confidence and competency, and student performance on the Grade 8 Intermediate Level Science (ILS) test.
Conclusion
The Bronx Zoo Urban Advantage program is a remarkable example of how collaboration between educational institutions and cultural organizations can enhance science education for urban students. By providing access to the resources and expertise of the Bronx Zoo and other partner institutions, the program offers students and their families unique learning opportunities that can inspire a lifelong love of science and the natural world.
References:
– Bronx Zoo Urban Advantage Programs
– Conservation Innovation! Virtual Program
– Bronx Zoo Urban Advantage Professional Development
– Bronx Zoo Urban Advantage Visitor Information