PBL: Zoo Redesign
Zoos have been popular attractions since the 4th century BCE, when Alexander the Great would collect animals during his military campaigns and have them sent back to Greece. During the 1800's, the Zoological Society of London funded the first zoo to incorporate scientific study, zoology, and natural history in addition to housing diverse collections of animals. Today, there are over 10,000 zoo exhibits worldwide, including Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas.
While the general concept of animal exhibits have stayed the same since the first public zoo in London was opened in 1828, the options for animal habitats has evolved, especially since conservation efforts and animal housing have become a priority among zoo directors. Some zoos allow more human interactions with animals, while safari parks that allow visitors to drive through an open animal habitat are increasing in popularity. Many species of animals, insects, and reptiles rely on a zoo's popularity in order to ensure the conservation or population increase of a species.
If you had the opportunity to redesign Gladys Porter Zoo to increase zoo attendance while keeping conservation and exhibit safety a priority, what would you change? Would you organize the animals differently, redesign their habitats, or completely overhaul the layout of the zoo? For this project, you will be creating a new design for your local zoo, complete with models of animal habitats, organization of species, and "Special Edition" exhibits for different times of the year.
While the general concept of animal exhibits have stayed the same since the first public zoo in London was opened in 1828, the options for animal habitats has evolved, especially since conservation efforts and animal housing have become a priority among zoo directors. Some zoos allow more human interactions with animals, while safari parks that allow visitors to drive through an open animal habitat are increasing in popularity. Many species of animals, insects, and reptiles rely on a zoo's popularity in order to ensure the conservation or population increase of a species.
If you had the opportunity to redesign Gladys Porter Zoo to increase zoo attendance while keeping conservation and exhibit safety a priority, what would you change? Would you organize the animals differently, redesign their habitats, or completely overhaul the layout of the zoo? For this project, you will be creating a new design for your local zoo, complete with models of animal habitats, organization of species, and "Special Edition" exhibits for different times of the year.
PBL Documents
All the important documents you will need for this unit will be included here. Please be sure that you refer back to these documents often to keep yourself on track as your project develops.
- Challenge Brief
- Use this document for reminders on what the actual project is, what items you need to include, and what your due date is
- Rubric
- Use this document to assess the pieces of your project as you create them. Checking your rubric often will help you figure out if you are on track or if you have a bit more work to do in order to earn the best grade possible.
- Calendar
- This document will give you a general idea of when important workshops will take place, when you will have time to do research and, most importantly, when your project is due! (Keep in mind, dates can and probably will change depending on school assemblies, exercises, or other events!)