Professional Development Workshops

Pablo Python Looks at Animals (K–3)

With the help of the award-winning K–3 program, "Pablo Python Looks at Animals," teachers and their students will expand their knowledge of animals and develop age-appropriate early childhood science skills through a focus on animal sizes and shapes, textures and patterns, color, sounds, movements, diets and more - all topics covered in the early childhood curriculum. Students' problem-solving and critical thinking skills are improved through interactive activities focusing on literacy, mathematics, creative arts, and music. "Pablo Python" is highly motivating and aligned with New York State and New York City standards. Please note: Priority will be given to teachers of grades K-3. (Grades K-3, 3P credits)

Elly Jelly Looks at Marine Animals (K–3)

Student readers are the centerpieces of the "Elly Jelly Looks at Marine Animals" early childhood (K-3) life science program. It promotes observation and investigation to guide students through an exploration of marine animals. The program strongly emphasizes literacy while it builds fundamental science study and research skills. All lessons are interdisciplinary, aligned with National, State and City standards and use brain-based techniques such as comparing and classifying, and cooperative groups to enhance student achievement. Please note: Priority will be given to teachers in grades K-3. Participants will receive copies of the books covered in class.

Insects and their Allies (K–3)

Learn how to foster positive attitudes towards the amazing world of minibeasts and the important role they play in the environment. Learn how to cover the language arts, math and life science standards in new, hands-on ways. You will explore the biology behind insects and spiders and other amazing animals, from life cycles to color. We'll show you how to make a visit to the Bronx Zoo’s Butterfly Garden an educational adventure, and help you transform classroom activities, snack time, and reading into a very buggy experience!

Science through Theater (K–6)

Science and the arts are a natural combination: observation and investigation are integral to both. Teachers will discover exciting new ways to teach science concepts that engage and challenge students. We will explore topics such as animal adaptations, life cycles and habitats using puppetry, movement, drama and even a little clowning. Using creative methods that will capture students’ imaginations and involve them in science, we will cover language arts and the new life science scope and sequence. No theatrical experience is necessary – but participation is essential.

Habitat Ecology Learning Program (3–6)

Here is a creative way to integrate math, language arts, and social studies with your science lessons. The Habitat Ecology Learning Program (HELP) is a hands-on program that will help you explore the defining characteristics of habitats as well as how plants, animals, and indigenous people have adapted to survival in these diverse conditions. By integrating lessons from three HELP books, you can encourage students to explore the richness of ecology both in the classroom and in a local park, nature center, or zoo. Role-play the issues involved with water use between two imaginary cities, go on a wildlife safari to relate animal adaptations to their lifestyles, participate in the Change Game to see how predators and prey have co-evolved on the grasslands. HELP is just a course away! Please note: Participants will receive copies of two HELP Curriculum Guides.

*New* Animal Behavior (4-8)

What is animal behavior and how do scientists study it? In this course, participants will learn how and why animals can be used to motivate and enhance student learning. Through this introduction to animal behavior, participants learn the basics of behavior, why it is important, and how it is studied. Participants will hear the inside story of animals at the zoo and discuss: mating, territoriality, agonistic behavior (aggressive & submissive), altruism (self-sacrifice), social/dominance hierarchy (pecking order), evolution and conservation. Participants will practice developing good investigable research questions, learn the implementation of techniques to observe animals, and will practice collecting and reporting relevant behavioral data. Finally, the use of resources such as video and the internet will be discussed. All activities align with NY State Standards and help promote student learning.

*New* The Mannahatta Project (4-8)

“Teaching Mannahatta” will train teachers in using recent discoveries about Manhattan’s natural history to teach science and social studies to upper elementary grades. Teachers will receive explicit instruction in 12 lessons that together form a comprehensive module that teaches key science and social studies concepts in an integrated, place-based, hands-on way. Lessons learned will be applicable for classrooms throughout New York State. In addition, teachers will receive mini-assessments to be used with students, and adapt extension lessons for use with differentiated student populations. You won’t believe how this brings history and ecology alive for your students.

*New* Energy, Climate and Wildlife Connections (4-8)

Trying to understand and teach climate change? Want to bring real world examples to your students? This course will help you use inquiry to bring this current and urgent topic to your classroom. Focusing on the sun as the primary source of earth’s energy, you will explore how solar energy is distributed around the earth and the effect this energy has on our atmosphere. We will also examine how the distribution of this energy throughout the world drives the earth’s climate. Climate models and experiments will be used to draw distinctions between weather and climate. Data analysis and examination of historical climate patterns will help you gain an understanding of how scientists study and make predictions about the earth’s changing climate.  Reports from WCS scientists and conservation leaders will reveal how climate changes are affecting wildlife around the world and WCS initiatives to combat the effects of this change. In addition, we will examine how energy flows through living systems. Using Bronx Zoo animal exhibits as models, we will interpret energy exchange and transformation – including energy requirements, usage, and flow of energy through trophic levels and food webs in various habitats.

General Science In Childhood And Middle Childhood Education (3–6)

Brooklyn College Graduate Course for 3 Graduate Science Credits

This course includes content and materials used in childhood and middle childhood science education. You’ll conduct a survey of basic ecology, focusing on temperate forests and wetlands; learn how to bring hands-on conservation experiments and demonstrations into your classroom; and prepare individual projects applicable to childhood science education.  Please note: One day of this six day course is taught at Prospect Park Zoo in Brooklyn (or at Bronx Zoo for Session 2).

Conservation Biology for the Classroom (3–8)

Why should we protect wild nature? What is threatening biodiversity? How do populations change over time? How do scientists go about protecting wildlife? Who is doing the work of conservation? These are just some of the questions that will be investigated through this online course from the Wildlife Conservation Society. In this course, participants will explore how to bring conservation into the classroom while learning from one of the most prestigious conservation organizations in the world.

Tigers and Other Predators (5–8)

Tigers and other predators are often called “charismatic vertebrates,” they have a unique ability to engage, excite and inspire people of all ages. In this workshop, you’ll have the chance to observe the Bronx Zoo’s lions and tigers up close; you’ll learn about the role of predators in their ecosystems and in the cultures around the world.  You’ll explore different techniques for presenting life science across the disciplines and learn about the tools used by conservation biologists who study predators. Please note: Participants will receive a copy of the WCS book Teachers for Tigers.

Voyage from the Sun (6–9)

We’ll help you incorporate the topic of energy into your teaching of biology without making it seem like work. This Voyage electrifies the science and the math of energy and illuminates the mystery of photosynthesis. "Voyage from the Sun" was designed to introduce students to the major ways in which energy is important to wildlife and natural habitats. You will search for ways to stay warm in Tundra Math, design an experiment in Elephant Shrew and You, or try your hand in a Race for the Rain Forest auction. A special grant allows us to give each participant a full Voyage Kit, a $300 value.

Field Studies at the Zoo (6–9)

Let us foster inquiry in your classroom by showing you how to use the zoo to spark science investigations. Through ecological studies, animal behavior and scientific journaling, you will learn how to help your students become involved in doing firsthand scientific research. The workshop will culminate with you designing and carrying out your own scientific research project. Field Studies at the Zoo is perfect for project-based learning.

Field Studies and Marine Ecology (4–8)

Sharpen your science teaching and enhance the experience of your students through this course in field studies, ecological monitoring and water chemistry infused in a rich introduction to marine ecology. We will explore interdisciplinary teaching approaches including: team and independent science investigations, presentations, interactive learning, and tactile experiences with biofacts and live invertebrate animals. Expand your knowledge of animal collecting tools, monitoring equipment, and microscopes and have the opportunity to design your own research project. In depth tours in front and behind the scenes of the Aquarium will also enhance understanding of marine ecology and wetlands conservation, and how to use the Aquarium and local aquatic habitats as a teaching resource. Field trips will focus on salt marshes, sandy and rocky shores, and fresh water systems.