EDUCATION NEWS

New school excursion rates ($20pp, Yr1 -9) gets your students hands on with our gorgeous wildlife in a FREE* Tribe Talk from one of our Education Officers, as well as a Free* child pass to return again and share their experiences with friends and family. Queensland teachers joined the Education Zoo crew to find out what adventures an Australia Zoo school excursion holds, in a professional development of the creature kind.

Mimicking a genuine excursion, our workshop for teachers began bright and early at the Australia Zoo entrance gates. Roving animals and the notorious Tasmanian Devil, Baby Boo, welcomed teachers into the interactive experience Australia Zoo prides itself on. Croc wrangling was next on the schedule when the teachers met Cameron the Crocodile; a massive creature at 8.23m long and weighing 930kgs! Luckily this is the resident replica, and the ideal site for a team photo with education mascot, Billabong Bill. From here it was on to the free, morning elephant feeding, where three gorgeous Asian elephants, were hand-fed their breakfast by our new teacher recruits.

The event was hosted by the Australia Zoo Education Team showcasing , not only the new Billabong Bill Education Centre, but the 78 acre conservation classroom that is Australia Zoo. Conservation Manager, Giles Clarke, with guest speaker James Jenkins from Canterbury College, spoke on Answer the Call, a gorilla conservation project, and how to incorporate it into the classroom. An authentic learning experience, teachers constructed a resource to initiate this project within their school.

On booking an excursion, schools currently receive a free Tribe Talk, part of the Australia Zoo Crikey! Curriculum package. Education Coordinator, Nick Bell, presented on the range of topics available, and the 2011 school-friendly rates. Experiencing a genuine Tribe Talk specific to their teaching area meant a visit from a scaly, furry or feathered animal friend. From Endangered Animals to Animal Rescue, Biodiversity and Classification, the Zoo motto conservation in through exciting education was in full swing.

Representing over 70 schools and 1000s of students, the Wild Tribe Zoofari teachers' workshop highlighted that a strong Zoo/school relationship can make a world of difference.

Australia Zoo is an exciting and immersive excursion destination providing school groups with a truly exclusive experience. Be it animal encounters or industry insights, we've got the programs to enhance and enrich your teaching.

For further information on upcoming professional development or excursions to Australia zoo contact the Education team at education@australiazoo.com.au or visit http://www.australiazoo.com.au/education/

*prices are based on a per student basis, with a minimum group size of 20

Steve and Terri were born into families of wildlife rescuers! In the beginning, Australia Zoo was made up of animals which had been rescued by the Irwin's and unable to be released back into the wild. Today, Australia Zoo has its very own Wildlife Rescue Unit; a team dedicated to rescuing wildlife 365 days a year!

For the first time ever, we want to share an exclusive insight into the remarkable work being carried out by the Australia Zoo Rescue Team, as they travel far and wide to save our wildlife. Australia Zoo's Education Department are set to inspire your students with some amazing tales of wildlife rescue and survival, through our newest program "Animal Rescue". Your students will also learn some practical tips on how they can contribute to wildlife care and rescue, in their own local area.

Did you know that as of January 2011, schools will be entitled to one educational Tribe Talk per visit, free of charge? For more information, check out the Education page on our website.

Stay tuned for more exciting news!

Congratulations to Strathpine State School who were recently named winners of Australia Zoo's 2010 Khaki It! School Challenge.

Strathpine State School Teacher, Helen Hamill, heard about the challenge through an education workshop at Australia Zoo, was instrumental in demonstrating the school's achievements.

Sustainability and green thinking flowed through many projects at Strathpine school, immersing students in environmental activity. Students got down and dirty at the local creek and analysed the health of the waterway; they surveyed the local wildlife and plants, identifying and eradicating pest species and they took on-board the latest sustainability in schools practises with worm-farms, water tanks and outdoor learning areas.

The attitude towards sustainability also spilled into art projects, open days and fundraising activities. Students collected discarded mobile phones for Australia Zoo's Answer the Call campaign, which raises much needed funds for gorilla conservation.

This breadth of activity was in keeping with the school's mission: "To adopt a holistic approach in order to embed environmental and conservation awareness and action into the everyday culture of the school and its wider community". It was this everyday culture approach that impressed the judges of The Khaki It! School Challenge.

Congratulations to Helen and all the students at Strathpine State School. You're all Wildlife Warriors!

We are excited to be launching our brand new Billabong Bill Australia Zoo Education Centre later this month.  This fantastic new facility will provide a great new resource for educating visiting school groups on Australia Zoo's conservation programs and all things wildlife!  State-of-the-art education facilities, will assist us in getting these messages out to our future generations.

Sponsored by Nestlè Peters, the Billabong Bill Australia Zoo Education Centre comprises three classrooms, each with its own environmental theme - Ocean, Wetlands and Outback - inspired by Steve Irwin's own wildlife adventures. Images of Steve, Terri, Bindi and Robert adorn the walls, as well as inspiring quotes from Steve about wildlife conservation.

The official launch of the Billabong Bill Australia Zoo Education Centre is set to coincide with the official national launch of Children's Week - a week dedicated to the celebration and education of children. Australia Zoo is a strong supporter of the Queensland Children's Week Association, having held the launch or closing event at Australia Zoo for the last three years, and the support of Terri, Bindi and Robert as Family Ambassadors, has highlighted the work that we do with children.

Stay tuned for more exciting news!