Gifted Students Environmental Education Program

Hello valued supporters!

As we approach the end of the calendar year, we are pleased to report that each student has chosen his/her research topic, and a zoo staff mentor has been assigned to each student. We are now in the process of setting up a schedule of meetings with the mentor, program coordinator and research supervisor stretching over the remainder of the academic year. Each mentor assists their students with setting up meetings with the keepers related to the zoo section in which they were conducting research so that they can coordinate their visits and data gathering.

In this report we would also like to emphasize that this sought-after and successful program reflects one of the core values of the Zoo’s mission – inclusion. In accordance with the Zoo’s underlying values of co-existence, pluralism and tolerance, participants are selected from diverse backgrounds and applications are considered also from non-Jerusalem residents. By respecting the values held by diverse communities, offering trilingual signage and education programs, and striving for academic distinction, the program is a model of innovative learning and continuous improvement. By encouraging open professional dialogue without gender segregation, the program promotes equal opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds who are interested in scientific research. This is underscored by the fact that participants are charged a nominal fee which does not result in the exclusion of participants from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Thank you for your continued interest in this project.

The Zoo Education Team