Project Exploration creates transformative learning opportunities for youth underrepresented in the sciences --particularly students of color and girls -- by equipping them with the skills, practices, and mindset needed for a lifelong pursuit of learning. STEM@Home makes activities around science, technology, engineering, and math accessible and fun to do at home. This virtual museum guide, resources, and more are availble at www.projectexploration.org/stemathome.
In this exhibit, you will: find out what animals are living in the city on a virtual field trip to the Lincoln Park Zoo. You will be able to learn more about mammals and make observations as you view them live at other zoos around the country.
Visit the Museum Your tour begins here: https://www.lpzoo.org/animals/Animals Let's start by thinking about what the different types of animals are and what characteristic (i.e. body coverings) makes them part of that type. If you could be any animal what would you be and why?
Today we will explore our animals that have hair/fur, mammary glands, and live in all types of environments - mammals! Let's see which mammals are at the Lincoln Park Zoo: https://www.lpzoo.org/animals/mammals
Overview Welcome to the wildest spot in Chicago! The Lincoln Park Zoo is one the largest zoo-based conservation and science programs in the country. The more you are able to think and interact with wildlife, the more you will be able to understand, empathize with, and protect wildlife as well as encourage others to take action. While it may seem a bit tricky to see and interact with them now, animals can actually be viewed live at zoos via webcams located within their exhibit.
Today, we will focus on a few of the mammals that we spotted at the Lincoln Park Zoo and visit other zoos around the country to make some observations about these animals just like scientists do. We will get to look more closely at chimpanzees, gorillas, polar bears, giraffes, rhinos, koala bears, naked mole-rats, and giant pandas! Think About It! Travel to zoos around the country to see mammals in their live habitats! Houston Zoo western lowland gorillas western lowland gorillas https://tinyurl.com/y3kamqg4 https://tinyurl.com/y3kamqg4 San Diego Zoo polar bears giraffes/rhinos https://tinyurl.com/s5ww5k4 https://tinyurl.com/tmv8cf9 koalas https://tinyurl.com/y86xwtnp Smithsonian's National Zoo naked mole-rat giant pandas https://tinyurl.com/y292z7tm https://tinyurl.com/jdehnrq
Use the guiding questions below to make observations about what you see in each exhibit that you visit. Grades 1-4: 1. Explore the animal's habitat, what are the components (different parts) of the habitat? 2. What does each part do or provide (i.e. food, water, shelter, enjoyment) for the animals? 3. How is each part helpful to the animal? 4. Of all the animals you saw today, which is your favorite? Why do you think it’s special? Grades 5-8: 1. Animals use their external structures and senses to survive. Draw or list the animals you see at each exhibit you visit today. Label or list one external structure (i.e horns, fur, tails) or sense receptor (i.e. ears, eyes, skin) on each animal. How does this structure or sense help them survive? 2. Of all the animals you saw today, which amazed you the most with their unique senses/strucutres? Why do you think it's special?
Head back home to Lincoln Park Zoo: https://www.lpzoo.org/animals/mammals 1. We saw one example of a marsupial on the Koala Cam. Which mammal at Lincoln Park Zoo is a marsupial? What common charcteristic do they share? 2. Which mammal is regarded as closely related to humans? 3. What mammal at Lincoln Park Zoo would you like to have as a pet and why?
Additional Resources 1. Learn more about polar bears and how the exhibit at Lincoln Park Zoo provides the best possible home for them:https://tinyurl. com/y9zp7sho 2. Take action to help save the polar bear's habitat:https://tinyurl.com/y9q6r3cd 3. Get crafty by making a monkey that looks like it's swinging through the forest:https://tinyurl.com/yd8lrvp3 4. Read stories about more adorable animal friends at the San Diego Zoo:https://tinyurl.com/ycqn885e 5. Check out the newest members at the Lincoln Park Zoo: https://tinyurl.com/ydfcjowd Who would you like to meet the most? 6. Explore careers in conservation at Lincoln Park Zoo:https://tinyurl.com/y8y2vr3o Which career sounds interesting enough to learn more about and shadow for a week? How does it relate to STEM?
Share It Out Grades 1-4: Design an animal habitat that provides food, water, shelter, and Join PE's character contest! Design a enjoyment. Use clay, art supplies, recycled materials, or illustrate on paper. Write a STEM character who will lead kids journal entry about your day from the point of view of an animal living in your newly through activities and be featured on our designed habitat. website and in our STEMbooks. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top 3 Grades 5-8: Create a unique 3-D animal with super senses! Use clay, art supplies, or finalists. Learn more at recycled materials. Design an animal identification card that explains the super www.projectexploration.org/ sense and how the animal uses it. character-contest. Share on social media: #FutureZoologist #ProjectExploration #StemAtHome
Share via PE's website: Students who complete STEM@home activities and share what they learned with the PE team via our website will earn points which can be traded in for cash prizes at the Explore Store. Your project number is 503. Learn more at www.projectexploration.org/explore-store
Call or text us for help: 312-772-6634 www.projectexploration.org