Welcome CPS Teachers and Educators!

Levels of Engagement is a program whose overarching goal is to motivate teachers to become conservation leaders. This is achieved by developing an improved understanding of scientific principals and participatory pedagogy. The ultimate goal is to inspire students to become conservation leaders.

The primary goals of the Levels of Engagement program are to:

  1. Offer a variety of professional development opportunities to CPS teachers that will promote competency and confidence in teaching science.
  2. Offer classes and curriculum to enhance CPS students’ science learning.

 

The Levels of Engagement program is 100% directed toward CPS educators. A close partner in this program is the Chicago Math and Science Initiative (CMSI). All classes and program content were developed by scientists, educators, and teachers, meet Illinois Learning Standards and are aligned with the CMSI Science Scope and Sequence for grades K-8.

 

 

Connections

Connections classes and curricula are designed to help teachers use Brookfield Zoo as a living classroom by providing enriching field trip experiences for students. Brookfield Zoo’s award-winning Connections program features classes, Zoo Talks, and full curriculum units. Connections is available for all Pre-K-12 educators.

 

Click here to find out how our Connections classes meet Illinois Learning Standards.

 

Click here to find out how our Connections classes align with CMSI Science Scope and Sequence.

  

Teacher Workshops

Expert Zoo educators will inform, entertain, and engage you as you explore a wide range of topics. Teacher classes carry ISBE credit (at no additional charge) for teacher recertification, and most provide optional college credit (for an additional fee).

 

For more information on our teacher classes and workshops, e-mail Lanis.Petrik@CZS.org or call (708) 688-8372.

 

Graduate Classes

Choose from a wide variety of graduate classes offered at Brookfield Zoo for educators. Classes are designed for teachers of all grade levels and are planned in an engaging, participatory manner. Classes use inquiry learning, hands-on experiences, and help in integrating zoo resources and materials into you classroom activities and curriculum.

Teacher classes at Brookfield Zoo come in all “sizes” and “types” – from one-graduate credit to three-graduate credits. These professional development programs offer free continuing education units for Illinois teacher recertification. Proof of professional development hours are provided for Pre-K teachers. Affiliations with partners such as Aurora University, Benedictine University, and National Louis University allow credits to be applied to graduate degrees.

For more information on our teacher Graduate credit classes, e-mail Lanis.Petrik@CZS.org or call (708) 688-8372.

 

Master of Science in Science
Content and Process

Benedictine University, in partnership with Brookfield Zoo, Fermilab, The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, The Morton Arboretum, and the Golden Apple Foundation, has developed a Master of Science degree in Science Content and Process. The degree program provides K-8 teachers and other science educators integrated content knowledge in general science utilizing the resources of the local scientific community.

Participants will use the pedagogy of inquiry-based learning and knowledge of technology to create an effective teaching/learning environment for science education. This program is intended for those teachers who want to increase their science knowledge and confidence in science teaching. Classes are taught at Brookfield Zoo, at Benedictine University and at other partners’ sites allowing participants to immerse in the learning opportunities available at each of these sites.

 

For more information on our teacher Graduate credit classes, e-mail Lanis.Petrik@CZS.org or call (708) 688-8372.

 

Teacher Ambassadors

Brookfield Zoo Teacher Ambassadors are a carefully selected group of teachers and educators from within CPS. They help promote Brookfield Zoo’s various classroom and professional development resources, and serve as resources for other CPS educators who have questions about Brookfield Zoo programs and events. If you are interested in learning more about this unique opportunity, please call Tara at (708) 688-8369 or e-mail Tara.Alamilla@CZS.org.

 

Upcoming Events:

  • CPS Principals Breakfast – Grades K-8, October 23, 2008; Grades 9 - 12, October 29, 2008
  • Spring Education Conference (Date TBD)
  • Teacher Ambassador Meetings (Dates TBD)
  • Dinosaurs at Brookfield Zoo – April 3, 2009 through November 1, 2009

Announcements:

 

Trainer Talk at Brookfield Zoo – Limited Time Only!

 

For groups attending the 11:30 Dolphin Show, a 20 minute Trainer Talk is available after the show on Mondays through Fridays until September 19, 2008. Trainer Talks are available after the 11:30 Dolphin Show Mondays through Wednesdays September 22 through November 2, 2008.

 

Call Julie at (708) 688-8367 to make a reservation. Price does NOT include tickets to the Dolphin Show. (Purchase Dolphin Show tickets on the day of your visit.)

 

Price:

 

12-30 students $55 per group
31-60 students $90 per group
61-100 students $135 per group
101+ students $150 per group

 

For more information, or to make a reservation, please call (708) 688-8367.

 

Let Brookfield Zoo Come to You!

 

From November 3 through March 15, Mondays through Fridays, Brookfield Zoo’s talented instructors will bring selected Connections programs to your classroom or school. This is a great way to introduce topics for upcoming study, and a wonderful pre- or post-zoo visit activity, or a fun culminating activity for a unit.

 

Connections Classes that we will bring to you:

(All classes are 50 minutes long)

Bears – Grades Pre-K – K

Animals that Fly – Grades 1 & 2

Giraffes – Grades K – 2

Science Inquiry – Grades 4 & up

Conservation: Air – Grades 6, 7, & 8

Conservation: Water – Grades 6, 7, & 8

 

Zoo Talks that we will bring to you:

(All Zoo Talks are for grades 4 through 12 and are 50 minutes long)

Animal Training and Enrichment –

Zoo Careers

Behind the Design of Zoo Exhibits

Species Survival Plans

Owls

Bears

The Scoop on Poop!

Frogs

Local Habitats

Birds

Pinnipeds

 

For more information, or to make a reservation, please call (708) 688-8367.

 

BUS STIPENDS for Brookfield Zoo field trips!

 

Through a generous grant from the Polk Bros. Foundation and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Brookfield Zoo is able to offer $100 BUS STIPENDS for your upcoming field trip to Brookfield Zoo. This $100 stipend is available to all CPS schools, while funds are available, until November 28, 2008. To qualify, you must be registered for a field trip that includes a Connections class, to be completed on or before November 28, 2008. Limit one stipend per field trip. Bus stipends available only as long as grant money allows.

 

For more information, please contact our School Program Coordinator at (708) 688-8369 or e-mail SchoolPrograms@BrookfieldZoo.org.

 

How do I get involved?

 

 For more information call Tara at (708) 688-8369 or e-mail SchoolPrograms@BrookfieldZoo.org.

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