All the first and second grade students in Pocatello-Chubbuck School District #25 will be getting a little wild thanks to the Pocatello Zoo and US Bancorp.
Earlier today, September 17, US Bancorp presented a $5,000 check to staff at the Pocatello Zoo to help pay for the “Habitracker” outreach program for both first and second graders, as well as to fund a field trip for second graders in the spring. For this year’s outreach, zoo staff will be presenting “It’s in the Skins,” which explains the differences between reptiles and amphibians and features a visit from the zoo’s outreach animals.
“We’ll be teaching students about the lifecycles of reptiles and amphibians and how each type of animal is suited for different types of habitats,” said Peter Pruett, Superintendent for the Pocatello Zoo. “We’ll also help students answer questions like ‘Why are snakes covered in scales?’ or ‘Why are salamanders so slimy?’ to name a few. This program fits in seamlessly with the science content standards that have been set for these students.”
As for the field trip, students will get to spend part of their day experiencing the animals at the zoo plus a Wildlife Theater presentation called “Amazing Adaptations.”
“For five years, US Bancorp has helped to fund these programs and we’d like to say ‘thank you’ for their continued support of our area’s children and the zoo,” Pruett said. “Maybe these activities will inspire one of the students to go into an animal related career and who knows; maybe they’ll be working with the animals at the Pocatello Zoo one day.”
For more information on all of the outreach programs offered by the Pocatello Zoo, visit zoo.pocatello.us.