Emirates Park Zoo & Resort is expanding its long-standing educational programmes for schools, drawing on more than a decade of experience hosting students and educators.
As an ADEK-approved school trip destination, the zoo offers
curriculum-aligned experiences that complement classroom learning through
direct observation, educator-led sessions and hands-on engagement with
wildlife.
Its programmes cover biodiversity, ecosystems, animal
behaviour, pollinators, rainforest ecosystems, endangered species and desert
wildlife.
Through encounters with animals and their habitats, students
can connect academic concepts with practical examples and explore the
importance of conservation.
“Learning shouldn't stop at the classroom door,” said Dr.
Walid Shaaban, Group CEO, Emirates Park Zoo & Resort. “For more than a
decade, we have welcomed school groups and worked with educators to create
opportunities for students to experience what they learn about in a real-world
environment. When a student sees an animal's adaptation in front of them or
understands how a species contributes to a wider ecosystem, a classroom concept
becomes something they can observe and experience. That connection is at the
heart of our approach to school education.”
The zoo said the programmes are designed to reinforce
learning taking place in schools, while giving students opportunities to
observe animal behaviour, explore ecosystems and develop greater awareness of
biodiversity and conservation.
The impact can extend beyond individual school visits, with
some former students returning years later as volunteers after developing an
interest in wildlife and environmental issues.
“We've seen students come back years later, not simply as
visitors, but as volunteers, because something about their first experience at
the zoo stayed with them,” added Mr. Waleed. “For us, that is one of the most
meaningful outcomes of our education programmes. It shows how an early
connection with wildlife can develop into a lasting interest in conservation
and environmental responsibility.”
Emirates Park Zoo & Resort said it will continue
developing its education offering to provide experiential learning that
complements formal curricula and supports sustainability, environmental
awareness and conservation among younger generations in the UAE.
Through continued engagement with schools, educators and
students, the zoo aims to make wildlife education accessible and memorable
while encouraging students to understand the role they can play in protecting
the natural world. -TradeArabia News Service