Zoo Debuts New Exhibit Signs Designed by Local School
May 30, 2002
Media Contacts
Sharon
Wright / 202-673-0209
Robert Hoage
Partnership Works to
Make National Zoo Small Mammal House “Kid Friendly”
WHAT
The Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park offers innovative “Kid
Friendly” graphic displays at the Small Mammal House due to a partnership
between the Zoo and third-grade students from the Capital City Public Charter
School in Columbia Heights.
WHEN
Friday, May 31, at 12:30 p.m.
WHERE
National Zoo Great Ape House, rear outdoor yard, 300l Connecticut
Ave., N.W. Convenient parking is located at the lower end of the Zoo Lot “B” (second
lot on the right as you enter from Connecticut Avenue) From Lot “B,” walk
downhill 150 yards to the Ape House.
WHO
- National Zoo Director Lucy Spelman
- Capital City Public Charter School founding principal Karen Dresden
- David Philhower’s third-grade class
This innovative project grew out of the desire of Zoo staff to create
a fresh, new exhibit while replacing some of the older graphics around
the park, there was also a need to
change the messages to keep up with rapidly changing conservation stories.
Almost simultaneously, teacher David Philhower contacted the Friends of
the National Zoo Education Department to ask if there were any opportunities
available for his students to develop an in-depth, yearlong class project.
Immediately an educational partnership was formed between the Zoo and Philhower’s
third-grade class.
The class has spent the past school year working closely with staff at the Small Mammal House to create something that would deliver the important interpretive messages of the Zoo’s mission to celebrate, study and help protect animals and their habitats while at the same time appealing to children. Zoo officials are hoping to develop a program that will expand this effort to create “Kid Friendly” signs throughout the park.
Zoo parking lots fill early. Visitors should take Metro’s Red Line to the Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan or Cleveland Park stops. For additional information about the National Zoo, look online at www.nationalzoo.si.edu or on the Friends of the National Zoo Web site www.fonz.org.
