NEWS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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May 4, 2011
| CONTACT: | |
| Cheryl Piropato, Education Director 260-427-6803 Click to E-mail Cheryl |
Zoo to Unveil Graphics Created by Students
Collaboration brings together kangaroos,
dingoes, Ball State University students,
and SIA Foundation
Thursday, May 5
2:00 p.m.
Fort Wayne Children's Zoo
Australian Adventure
As they wander amid the kangaroo mob, Fort Wayne Children's Zoo guests learn about newborn kangaroo joeys, how kangaroos hop, and how kangaroos keep cool thanks to 15 new signs in the Australian Adventure exhibit. The signs were created during a unique collaboration between Ball State University students and zoo staff, with support from the SIA Foundation and a BSU Provost Immersive Learning Grant.
As part of a one-of-a kind Zoology Immersive Learning class at Ball State, 10 students spent an entire semester learning about zoo operations, observing zoo animals, and shadowing zoo staff, all while developing new signs for the kangaroo and dingo exhibits. The interdisciplinary student team included biologists, graphic designers, artists, and writers. The signs were installed in time for the zoo’s 2011 season opening. They replace the original signs created for the Australian Adventure's 1987 grand opening.
“Our ongoing partnership with such an outstanding zoo is a perfect model of how we are putting our students into challenging career development opportunities,” said Dr. Gary Dodson, Professor of Biology at Ball State University. “How confident was I that my college students could produce state-of-the-art exhibit signs? Well, I’ve learned never to underestimate what motivated people can achieve when community organizations collaborate.”
Funding for the $11,000 project was provided by Ball State University, the zoo, and a grant from the SIA Foundation.
"The SIA Foundation is proud to collaborate with the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo and Ball State University to help enhance the educational programming of the zoo,” said Shannon Walker of the SIA Foundation. “We know this project will have a lasting impact on many children in surrounding communities for years to come."
According to zoo director Jim Anderson, “This project is a great example of a partnership that benefits hundreds of thousands of people – from the 10 college students who created the signs to our half-million annual guests who will read them.”
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