This year's Intensive Program has been greatly modified from the program offered last year (2000-2001).  In addition to visiting the Indianapolis Zoo, participating in learning seminars, having wild animals at our school and providing displays for the school to promote conservation, we have also added several new features to allow a greater understanding of the plight of endangered animals.

        The first new program we offered this year was the opportunity to experience TRIAD classes.  Since we had three teachers in charge of Animal Conservation, we devised classes to investigate in greater depth the plight of three endangered or threatened animals.  The animals chosen for this year's investigation were the African Elephant (minor discussion about the Asian Elephant), the Australian Koala Bear and the North American Black Bear.  In each class, students were introduced to the status of the animal, given a description of its habitat and adaptations and was given up to date news as to why the animal is facing elimination.

        The second new program we offered was a chance for students to become photojournalists while visiting the zoo.  We felt that in order to influence a change in species management, students need to understand that reasons why animals are at risk, the responsibility people have and the classification/environment of each animal.  While touring the zoo, students were given a disposable camera to use for photographing animals they chose to include in their FIELD HANDBOOK.  Inside the handbook, students needed to answers habitat questions, scientific names, adaptations, etc.  They completed the handbooks by providing pictures showing the animal, enclosure accommodations, habitat restoration, etc.  The FIELD HANDBOOKS looked really nice!

        In addition to the TRIAD classes and the FIELD HANDBOOKS, we have decided to promote conservation throughout the year by permanently offering a world map depicting endangered or threatened animals.  This educational map can be found in the high school near the main office and will be completed shortly.  Students and teachers alike will be accomplishing this task together hoping to be able to encourage better species management here in Indiana as well as the world.

        The following is a list of opportunities that anyone can opt to do if they feel led to help combat the growing list of animals endangered today.  Options range from "adopting" an animal from zoos to helping set up usable habitat sites near your home.  In addition, this site will be updated to encourage non-monetary ways to impact conservation here at home and away.

  Site links to Project Elephant at the Indianapolis Zoo...the world's leading African Elephant Conservation Zoo.
Site links to the Australian Koala Foundation.

    Site links to the North American Bear Center.
 

http://fcsc.k12.in.us/staff/dunfeer/Webquest/INTENSIVE%20WEBQUEST3.html