Houston Zoo Eco Learning Lab Sponsored by BG Americas and Global LNG

By Brian Hill

Houston, TX - Water. It’s every where. Approximately 80 percent of the earths’ surface is covered with water. Life is impossible with out it. But water is a resource many of us take for granted.
On February 13, 2010 the Houston Zoo inaugurates a new conservation education pilot program, WATER CONSERVATION: The Houston Zoo Eco Learning Lab.

Working with Houston ISD teachers, the Houston Zoo’s Eco Learning Lab is designed to create citizen conservationists and raise awareness about our critical water conservation needs.

Sponsored by BG Americas and Global LNG, WATER CONSERVATION: The Houston Zoo Eco Learning Lab curriculum is designed around hands-on, practical lessons with real world applications both in the classroom and at the Houston Zoo.

Specifically focused on water quality and the effects of pollution on wetland populations, teachers, students and their families will learn simple solutions and actions that can positively impact our living world.

The Houston Zoo Eco Learning Lab kick off on February 13 will bring together 10 teachers representing 9 Houston ISD Title One schools for a “Teach the Teachers” day. In addition to lesson plan training and a walk through of demonstrations and activities for students, the educators will also experience an ecology field study at the Houston Zoo’s Duck Lake led by Zoo education staff.

The “Teach the Teachers” day schedule includes:
8:30 Breakfast and animal greeting
9:00 Welcome remarks by BG Americas and Global LNG
and Houston Zoo officials
9:15 Curriculum and Lesson Plan demonstration and discussion
10:45 Tour of Duck Lake highlighting water conservation

About the Houston Zoo Eco Learning Lab
The Houston Zoo Eco Learning Lab is a 4 phase program designed to encourage children to discover the natural world in their own backyard through professional teacher development, classroom curriculum kits, and field experiences. Eco Learning Lab tools for each teacher in the pilot program include a Conservation Kit, essentially a portable science classroom featuring supplies for water testing and field studies, a TEKS aligned science-based curriculum, a student activity workbook, in-class demonstrations with hands-on activities, and a field study day at the Houston Zoo for students.

Following the Phase One “Teach the Teachers” day at the Zoo, educators will take the curriculum back to the classroom for Phase Two, performing in-class demonstrations and leading students through the hands-on activities and activity workbook assignments.

In Phase Three of the program students will take what they learned in the classroom back home and encourage their family members to take a “Green Pledge” to get involved in water conservation.

In Phase Four of the Houston Zoo Eco Learning Lab teachers and students will visit the Zoo for a field trip the week of May 10, 2010 applying what they learned in the classroom to field work at the Zoo’s Duck Lake, sea lion pool and Kipp Aquarium.

About BG Americas and Global LNG

BG Americas and Global LNG is a wholly owned subsidiary of BG Group plc (LSE: BG.L) a world leader in natural gas, with a strategy focused on connecting competitively-priced resources to specific, high-value markets. Active in 28 countries on five continents, BG Group has a broad portfolio of exploration and production, liquefied natural gas (LNG), transmission and distribution and power generation business interests. It combines a deep understanding of gas markets with a proven track record in finding and commercializing reserves.

About the Houston Zoo

Recognized by Parents magazine as one of the Ten Best Zoos for Kids, the Houston Zoo is an exciting live animal adventure that provides a unique educational and conservation resource serving 1.7 million guests annually. Set in a 55-acre lush tropical landscape, the Zoo is home to more than 4,500 exotic animals representing more than 800 species. Operated by the not-for-profit Houston Zoo, Inc., the Houston Zoo is dedicated to the conservation of endangered species, the provision of engaging educational opportunities and the creation of stimulating exhibits that broaden the experiences of our guests and encourage their curiosity.

The Houston Zoo is located at 6200 Golf Course Drive in beautiful Hermann Park. The Zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. during Central Standard Time (last admission at 5 p.m.) and from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. during Central Daylight Time (last admission at 6 p.m.). The Zoo is closed Christmas Day. Regular admission is $11 for adults, $6 for seniors, $7 for children ages 2-11 and FREE for children under 2. Visit the courtesy booth at your neighborhood Fiesta Mart and purchase an adult Zoo admission for $9 and a child Zoo admission for $6. Zoo memberships start at only $55. For information on all the great benefits of becoming a Zoo member call (713) 533-6713 or visit our Web site at www.houstonzoo.org.

To view the Houston Zoo's web page on Zoo and Aquarium Visitor, go to:  http://www.zandavisitor.com/forumtopicdetail-727-Houston_Zoo