The Franklin Zoo & Wildlife Sanctuary is now closed permanently.
Educational value of Franklin Zoo and Wildlife Sanctuary
The zoo experience contributes to Ministry of Education (EOC) outcomes of ‘effective teaching and learning’ and to ‘family and community engagement in education’. Opportunities for focused and holistic learning link to the early childhood curriculum strands of exploration, communication and contribution. Similarly, the zoo provides a focused context for learning across the primary school curriculum.
Learning occurs as children participate in authentic experiences with others, and construct knowledge about wildlife, linking new learning with what they already know. Children are encouraged to develop attitudes of care and respect for animals.
The zoo experience can enrich children’s scientific, oral, written and visual language and literacies. Educators and families may extend children’s interests in some of the following ways:
- Reading, viewing and talking about animal books and electronic texts.
- Using multi-media to represent and communicate ideas. (eg. in writing, design, artistic media, photography, construction, music, drama and symbolic play).
- Creating further links between the zoo experience and the care of and responsibility for their own animals.
- Supporting conservation efforts.
The zoo provides authentic and memorable opportunities to:
- Observe animals closely.
- Interact with and feed selected animals.
- Participate in interactive Wild Encounters tours. Here, experienced zoo staff will take you on a guided tour, talking about the husbandry and conservation of various animals.
- Participate in sessions in the Education Centre facilitated by a registered school teacher.
Further ideas are available on request, depending on focus of interest or curriculum required.
Educational Value of Franklin Zoo & Wildlife Sanctuary – Early Childhood Education
The zoo experience contributes to Ministry of Education (EOC) outcomes of ‘effective teaching and learning’ and to ‘family and community engagement in education’. Opportunities for focused and holistic learning link to the early childhood curriculum strands of exploration, communication and contribution.
Learning occurs as children participate in authentic experiences with others, and construct knowledge about wildlife, linking new learning with what they already know. Children are encouraged to develop attitudes of respect for animals.
The zoo experience can enrich children’s scientific, oral, written and visual literacies. Educators may extend children’s interests by:
- Reading, viewing and talking about animal books.
- Communicating ideas in writing, design, artistic media, photography, construction, music and drama.
- Creating further links between the zoo experience and the care of and responsibility for their own animals.
- Supporting conservation efforts
Educational Value of Franklin Zoo – Primary Years 1-8
There are many ways in which the Franklin Zoo Education Centre can help primary school teachers to meet curriculum goals. We are always happy to tailor lessons to meet specific interests – please contact us to discuss. Here are some suggestions:
Science: The Living World
All three curriculum achievement aims can be met through a visit to Franklin Zoo & Wildlife Sanctuary
- Life Processes: Animal diversity, Form and function, Adaptations
- Ecology: Habitats, Environmental interactions, Role of zoos in conservation
- Evolution: Biological classification, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles.
The Arts and English
A visit to Franklin Zoo can provide motivation for exciting creative lessions in the arts:
- Observation of animal movement patterns for drama and dance lessons.
- Study or recording of animal vocalizations and other noises for music lessons.
- Inspiration for visual arts lessons – e.g. black and white studies of ring-tailed lemurs.
- Reading, writing, listening and speaking about animals and animal issues.
Technology
Study of the physical and psychological needs of animals in captivity provides an ideal context for students to devise creative technological solutions through planning, designing, modeling and construction.
- Behavioural and environmental enrichment.
- Enclosure design (linking to ecology).
- Specific tools for husbandry.
Mathematics
Our animals provide many sources of statistics for surveys - e.g. Observations of animal behaviour in captivity compared to the wild situation provides a very real context for statistical study.
Social Sciences
A zoo is a complex environment, and provides an interesting study model for social sciences:
- Different roles and responsibilities of keepers and other staff
- The role of zoos in society = differing views, ethical concerns
Values Education
Lessons at Franklin Zoo & Wildlife Sanctuary can be tailored to focus on values such as innovation, inquiry, creative and critical thinking, ecological sustainability and respect.
Integrated Unit studies
A visit to Franklin Zoo provides inspiration for integrated unit studies of Zoo Animals, Zoo keeping and Conservation. These topics are proven to be of high interest to primary age students. The Franklin Zoo Education Centre can provide visiting school groups with follow-up activities covering The Arts, English, Social Sciences, Science, Health and Technology, and with a range of educational approaches, including multiple intelligences, thinking hats, thinkers’ keys and the use of ICT.
Risk Management
When visiting the Franklin Zoo children should:
- Be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.
- Follow all instructions given from zoo hosts.
- Stay behind, and avoid climbing, safety fences.
- Be very closely supervised in the car park area.
- Feed specified animals only.
- Wash hands before eating food.
Please contact us for more information regarding your visit and we can design a visit just for your needs.
Facilities
- Accommodating up to 150 people indoors for functions.
- Grassed picnic areas.
- Wet weather shelter if needed.
- Shop for drinks and snacks.
Cost
Children $7 (3-15 years) Adults $14 Pensioners and Students $12 (with ID)