I'm sorry to inform you that this program no longer exists due to budget shortfalls. It breaks my heart to see this project end as I have given it a lot of my heart and soul. Maybe someday there will be money to reinstate it, but I'll probably be retired by then! If you can get anything of value from this site, please go ahead and use it!

The YMS 7th graders annually take a field trip to Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo as an extension of their science class curriculum. We have worked over the years to make this an activity across the 7th grade curriculum. At this web site you will find the activities we conduct before, during, and after the trip.

Science

1. Students complete the unit on Taxonomy; emphasis is on the characteristics that identify each classification group.
2. Students complete the computer activities "Field Trip to the Rainforest" and "Field Trip to the Sea;" emphasis is on the elements of each biome that will be seen in the Lied Jungle and Scott Aquarium exhibits.
3. Students use the links below to research the three deserts represented in the Desert Dome exhibit; emphasis is on the animals associated with each of the deserts and their specific requirements within that biome (see links #1-#7).

Social Studies

1. Students complete units on rain forest geography and culture.
2. Students complete units on desert geography and culture.
3. Students complete units on ocean currents, and how they influence the adjacent land.

English

1. Students are presented with two writing assignments, from which they will pick one to complete after the trip.
2. Assignment one is to write a composition describing the zoo through the eyes, ears, touch, taste, and smell of one of their favorite animals. They are to create "pictures in your reader's mind" through the use of colorful language....vivid verbs and adjectives (see link #13).
3. Assignment two is to write a poem consisting of at least 16 lines (see link #12). Two options are available: a rhyming poem or free verse.

Teen Lit

1. Students work with the Omaha World Herald (link #16)every day in this class. Articles are published in the spring as new attractions are under construction.
2. Special editions are published giving background on new attractions. These special editions include questions to be answered by the students so they better understand the exhibits.

In the Lied Jungle

The Lied Jungle was begun in 1988 and opened April 4, 1992. At the time the 61,000 square feet of exhibit space made it the largest indoor jungle in the U.S. The students circle through the three jungles represented on an elevated walkway. From this walkway, students can look down into the jungle, walk behind waterfalls, dodge free-flying birds, and cross over a rope suspension bridge. Along the railings students will find information posted on the exhibits. The assignment below (link #9) forces the students to slow down and actually read these postings.

In the Scott Aquarium

Construction began on the Walter and Suzanne Scott Kingdoms of the Seas Aquarium in 1993 with the closing of the old aquarium and its demolition. The new aquarium opened in the spring of 1995. One of its most popular attractions is the penguin exhibit which is separated from the public by a 60-foot long, 25-foot high window showing both above and below water activities of these facinating birds. Another favorite exhibit is the 70-foot long ocean bottom tunnel walk which allows visitors to view sharks and rays, as well as other ocean fish, swimming overhead. Displays hold the answers to the assignment below (link #11).

In the Pavilion

The Mutual of Omaha Wild Kingdoms Pavilion was opened in 1987. The 21,000 square foot building houses changing exhibits of amphibians, reptiles, birds, insects, small mammals, a 312 seat auditorium and several classrooms. Hands-on and inanimate displays, as well as microscopes and sliding magnifiers make it possible to view many assorted animal artifacts. The assignment below (link #10) concentrates on the taxonomic classification of the varied exhibits. The exhibits change so a pre-trip visit to the zoo is required to keep this assignment accurate.

In the Desert Dome

The Desert Dome was opened in spring of 2002. It is currently the world's largest indoor desert. The red sand dune is 30 feet tall. The exhibit holds over 300 tons of sand! From the main level to the top of the dome is 13 stories. The dome itself is the world's largest glazed geodesic dome. The displays from three different deserts contain over 160 species of plants and unique desert animals, including 54 species of reptiles. During the visit to the Dome, students are to pick four animals they would like to do more research on. When they return to school they will go to the computer lab to work on their research. There are also questions over the information in the entrance exhibits, including topics such as dune formation, types of dunes, and the Nebraska sandhills.

English

1. The students spend the day after the trip working on their original writing. They work through peer editing and two or more drafts are produced.
2. When all the final drafts are printed, the students compete to create a cover page and divider pages (see link #14) for a booklet.
3. All the writings and art pages are bound by the high school secretary and kept on display in the English room.

Science

1. The worksheets from the zoo activities are graded in class.
2. The students share which animals they have chosen to do research on.
3. In the computer lab, the students open link #8 which takes them to a page with basic information about their animal.
4. After they have found the scientific name for their animal, they are permitted to use a search engine such as Google, Infoseek, etc. to find answers to any questions they might have.