Calgary Zoo

Science Learning Intentions:

• I understand that animals can be classified as carnivores, herbivores, or omnivores based on what they eat
• I can identify different animals that are carnivores and I understand that they eat only animals
• I can identify different animals that are herbivores and I understand that they eat only plants
• I can identify different animals that are omnivores and I understand that they eat both animals and plants

On Wednesday last week, students in Room 12 had a wonderful field-trip to the Calgary Zoo. Students were challenged to complete a scavenger hunt while there and had to identify different types of herbivores, carnivores and omnivores. In addition to this, students learned about the important role the Calgary Zoo plays in protecting the world’s biodiversity. Did you know that the zoo is home to over 4000 animals and across more than 100 species? Students also had several incredible opportunities to interact with staff at the zoo to learn about the relationships between people and wildlife, and how we can steward the natural world.

Some of our favorite moments included watching the active red pandas run about, seeing an amur tiger receive horse meat as a treat after its training, learning that flamingos have pink feathers because they eat so much shrimp, seeing the komodo dragon, viewing the big, fluffy baby penguin and of course watching the two baby gorillas play, swing and interact with their mother, auntie and grandmother.

Some students in Room 12 are writing letters to the Calgary Zoo that we hope to post in the mail sometime next week. Students are enjoying sharing their knowledge with the zoo staff and even asking them a few more questions we don’t know the answers to yet!