Education Israel Project #19242

Gifted Students Environmental Education Program

by The Tisch Family Zoological Gardens, the Biblical Zoo in Jerusalem

Project Report | May 27, 2015
Another Year of Excellence

By Nicole Wexler | Director of Development

Image taken for Asian elephant research paper

Dear Gifted Program Supporters,

The results of the program speak for themselves: over the last year, 10 program participants received an average result (evaluated independently by the Israeli Ministry of Education) of 96.5 out of 100. The research topics for the 2014-2015 school year were as follows:

The effects of enrichment on wolf behavior

Human and chimpanzee interactions

Interaction between female Asian elephants

The effects of enrichment on Kea parrot behavior

The process of introducing Sumatran tigers

The effects of enrichment on giraffe behavior

The effects of music on Siamang behavior

Medical indicators in elephants and giraffes through thermal imaging

The effects of olfactory enrichment on Asian short-clawed otters

The effects of environmental variables on Nile crocodile behavior

We have developed a sought-after and successful program that reflects the core values of the Zoo’s mission – community outreach, inclusion and scientific excellence. Gifted students are likely to hold leadership positions in business, industry, politics and academia in the future. The goal of this program is to create the next generation of leadership in nature conservation so that, in whichever field these students find themselves in the future, they will be advocates for environmental conservation.

Thank you for helping us to make this program possible for the exceptional students in our community.

Warm regards,

The Zoo "Bagrut" Team

Graph extract from research paper

Participants receiving instruction from zoo staff

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Mar 3, 2015
A new year has begun!

By Nicole Wexler | Director of Development

Students on an orientation tour of the Zoo

It's 2015 and our students have completed their orientation for the new school year. Each student has already chosen a research topic and now the hard work of experimenting, observing and analyzing data is beginning. Each year our group of gifted high school students submit research projects equivalent to the level of BA university course work which are evaluated by independent evaluators at the Ministry of Education. The results every year speak for themselves - our program is demanding and attracts highly motivated and intelligent students to broaden their knowledge of science, biology and zoology and sharpen their research skills.

In 2014, 10 students graduated from high school having completed this program. We were proud to have received applications also from students living outside of Jerusalem, proof that the word is spreading about the value of this program, and we hope that this trend will continue. We continue to enroll students from all communities and faiths as part of the Jerusalem Zoo's overall philosphy of inclusion and co-existence.

Last year, the average of the final grades awarded was 97.8 (out of 100), an increase of 3 points from last year’s average. These excellent grades are the result of hard work by the students, their tutors and also the helpful and dedicated staff of the Jerusalem Zoo.

Thank you for your support of this meaningful program which is creating the next generation of wildlife conservation professionals.

Warm regards,

The Zoo "Bagrut" Team

Students receiving instruction from Dr. Hertz-Dvir

Last year's grade results (Ministry of Education)

Links:

Program Description in Zootails Newsletter

Attachments:

Akiva's Story - a graduate explains (PDF)

4 Attachments

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