Meeting Activities:
See the Meeting Folder and Scout Animal Academy: Life Cycles
Requirements for Pets (1,2,3) and Think Like a Citizen Scientist (1)
Comments:
The Denver Zoo has three Animal Academy programs that explore important scientific concepts such as adaptations, ecosystems, and life cycles. On this beautiful afternoon excursion, girls earned their gold “spots and stripes” badge by completing special challenges related to animal life cycles.
Girls learned that to be citizen scientists they already have the needed tools: eyes, ears, nose, hands, and brain. On their three missions, they learned by investigating and applying critical thinking skills.
Activities:
Girls were sworn in as Animal Ambassadors and divided into two groups to answer a series of questions about the life cycles of amphibians. One group learned from observing Lily, a White’s Tree Frog…
and the other from Elbert, a Boreal Toad.
Facilitator Ariana helped girls work their way through a series of questions to help them observe and think critically about the needs of their animals.
What does your group know about the life cycle of this amphibian species?
What do you notice about this amphibian? How is it using its exhibit? What have keepers put in this enclosure to care for the animal in this life stage?
As amphibian keepers, how would you change this enclosure if the animal was in a different life stage? Describe or draw the new enclosure, and include which part of its life cycle your animal would be in.
She taught girls about amphibians and their life cycle in water and on land — eggs, tadpoles, froglets, and adults. Girls observed the enclosures and what provisions were made for their animal’s basic needs. Ariana spoke about how these were working animals and that we needed to be respectful of their time and keep an eye out for any stress signals.
Girls then moved on to mammals, learning that these animals (including our species, homo sapiens) give birth to their babies, produce milk for their young, and have hair. Girls were highly skeptical that whales have hair. Ariana assured them they do indeed.
We visited the lion enclosure which currently housed some very vocal males. Ariana talked about how important it is for keepers to structure safe environments for the animals in their care. This enclosure is also used as the cub nursery so it purposefully does not have high rocks from which cubs could fall and has a net to keep them from climbing out.
For the girls’ final challenge each group was given a mystery egg. One group had a fish and the other a bird. They broke off to discuss the same questions about their type of animal and its life cycle and care needs. Kaitlin and Allie were chosen to present their findings to the other group.
We closed out our meeting at the penguins’ exhibit, which was a hit. Girls were given a gold “spots and stripes” badge, which they can wear on the back of their Brownie vest.
Most girls stayed to explore the zoo. Some happened upon a keeper interacting with a male elephant. The emcee ensured us that the elephant had a choice about whether to participate or not, they are never forced to do any unnatural behaviors. She also assured us that the elephant was not performing but that each movement was taught to facilitate his health checkup.
To us, it still looked like he was putting on a show of his ears, mouth, feet, belly, and various other movements in exchange for some sweet potato treats.
Badge Requirements:
Pets
Find out what care different pets need - Girls learned about amphibians, mammals, birds, and fish.
Keep a pet comfy - Girls observed how the animals were kept in their enclosures and learned what might be signs of stress.
Help a pet stay healthy and safe - Girls learned about the basic needs of all animals — food, water, shelter — and how a keeper must thoughtfully design enclosures to keep animals safe. These needs may change as the animal grows through its life cycle.
Think Like a Citizen Scientist
Explore Observation - The Animal Academy curriculum is hands-on where girls must observe and think their way through challenge questions.
Family Follow-Up:
If you have a Pet, have your girl complete requirements 4 and 5 for the Pets badge:
4 - Make a Pet feel loved - play with your pet or make a toy for your pet
5 - Feed a Pet - cook a special treat for a pet or make your girl responsible for food and water for a week
Announcements:
Upcoming Troop Meetings:
SUN 12/18: Family Meeting - Take Action Reflection & Celebration
All family and friends are welcome to reflect on the fall session’s badge work, see girls demonstrate some learned skills, and celebrate with photos, food, and fun!
WINTER BREAK: We’re taking a break over the holidays. Have an amazing time with family and friends! If you’re looking for ideas to get your girl off a screen and outside, check out the GSCO Fall/Winter Outdoor Challenge. Brownies need to complete 20 activities, 6 of which we’ve already done together as a troop.
SUN 1/8: Cookie Program Kickoff!
Thanks!
Meredith (Mila’s Mom)