Science Focus Program (Zoo School)
Encyclopedia
The Science Focus Program, more commonly referred to as Zoo School, is a part of Lincoln Public Schools
and is one of the district's four focus programs
. It is located at the Lincoln Children's Zoo in Lincoln, Nebraska
, and is defined as "a small community of mature learners participating both in a traditional and non-traditional style of learning. A place where students play an active role in defining their learning environment and education."
In addition, Susan Musick serves as secretary and John Neal is the administrator.
10:10-11:35 - BLOCK 1
11:35-1:05 - BLOCK 2
1:05-1:40 - LUNCH
1:40-3:05 - BLOCK 3
PLC DAY - TUESDAY
9:45-11:15 - BLOCK 1
11:15-12:45 - BLOCK 2
12:45-1:20 - LUNCH
1:20-2:45 - BLOCK 3
The Zoo School runs on an A-day, B-day block schedule, the A-days consisting of Monday and Thursday, and the B-days Tuesday and Friday. Wednesdays are split up as C and D days, reserved for additional class times for core classes and applied arts. Wednesdays are typically known as "Focus Days" as each student is given time, resources, and assistance with their mandatory Research Project, a long term science/history affiliated project that is presented at the end of the year. Also on Wednesdays, students learn from guest speakers, go on field trips, or catch up on accelerated classes. Lunch lasts for about forty minutes, between the second and the third of the class blocks, in which students from the sophomore level up may leave campus. Students may purchase food from the Safari Cafe, while the zoo is open. During the winter, students usually bring a lunch.
The main idea for the focus program was to give students an alternative to regular high school. The teachers' vision consisted of a place where students could come and feel welcome and comfortable enough to express their individual talents and ideas.
The school opened for the 1997-1998 school year, accepting juniors and seniors. Since then, changes have been made, allowing the Zoo School to accept sophomores and freshmen.
In 1999, Zoo School created its own Key Club
, partnering with the Lincoln Kiwanis Club
. Every week, students meet to work on fund-raising, community events, and volunteer work.
Zoo School's technology consists of a lab of iMac
s, which arrived at the beginning of the 2006-2007 school year. There are 3 PowerMac G4s and 1 PowerMac G5, which enable students to create documentaries and video yearbooks using movie software, like Final Cut Express HD. Zoo School works with the Information Technology Program, another focus program, to gain access to state of the art equipment.
Zoo School has made some changes throughout the years, but their goal is maintained: to give students the best education possible, to instill an excitement and a craving for knowledge, to teach and learn together.
Every Year, the Lincoln Children's Zoo hosts a "Science Day" in which the public, along with elementary schools, walk around the zoo as Science Focus Program Students enrich their knowledge with fun scientific activities. All students work stations and participate.
Many students at the Science Focus Program are very mature and part of other organizations of political, artistic, or scientific nature. The Zoo School is a fantastic way to make connections throughout the city.
Lincoln Public Schools
Lincoln Public Schools is the only public school district in Lincoln, Nebraska, USA. It is the second largest of Nebraska's 596 school districts, surpassed only by Omaha Public Schools. LPS educates more than 35,000 students in 57 schools....
and is one of the district's four focus programs
Magnet school
In education in the United States, magnet schools are public schools with specialized courses or curricula. "Magnet" refers to how the schools draw students from across the normal boundaries defined by authorities as school zones that feed into certain schools.There are magnet schools at the...
. It is located at the Lincoln Children's Zoo in Lincoln, Nebraska
Lincoln, Nebraska
The City of Lincoln is the capital and the second-most populous city of the US state of Nebraska. Lincoln is also the county seat of Lancaster County and the home of the University of Nebraska. Lincoln's 2010 Census population was 258,379....
, and is defined as "a small community of mature learners participating both in a traditional and non-traditional style of learning. A place where students play an active role in defining their learning environment and education."
Staff
The Science Focus Program has 5 teachers:- Mark Anderson, social sciences.
- Beth Briney, English and communication.
- Sara LeRoy Toren, natural sciences.
- Mark James, chemistry, physics, physical science, and astronomy.
- Matt Johnson, mathematics.
In addition, Susan Musick serves as secretary and John Neal is the administrator.
Campus
Zoo School's open campus is tucked behind the Zoo Cafe and Discovery Building, or "Disco". The two portables house the computer lab, a science room and laboratory, and the English classroom. The Camelot Commons houses the social science, mathematics, and natural science classrooms. There are picnic tables set up around the pond by the portables for lunch. During the winter, students eat inside the portables. The Zoo uses the portables and the Disco for educational purposes during the summer.Schedules
REGULAR SCHEDULE -- MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, & FRIDAY10:10-11:35 - BLOCK 1
11:35-1:05 - BLOCK 2
1:05-1:40 - LUNCH
1:40-3:05 - BLOCK 3
PLC DAY - TUESDAY
9:45-11:15 - BLOCK 1
11:15-12:45 - BLOCK 2
12:45-1:20 - LUNCH
1:20-2:45 - BLOCK 3
The Zoo School runs on an A-day, B-day block schedule, the A-days consisting of Monday and Thursday, and the B-days Tuesday and Friday. Wednesdays are split up as C and D days, reserved for additional class times for core classes and applied arts. Wednesdays are typically known as "Focus Days" as each student is given time, resources, and assistance with their mandatory Research Project, a long term science/history affiliated project that is presented at the end of the year. Also on Wednesdays, students learn from guest speakers, go on field trips, or catch up on accelerated classes. Lunch lasts for about forty minutes, between the second and the third of the class blocks, in which students from the sophomore level up may leave campus. Students may purchase food from the Safari Cafe, while the zoo is open. During the winter, students usually bring a lunch.
History
The idea for the Science Focus Program originated in 1995. Teachers met and worked part time planning for the Zoo School, and part time teaching at their high schools. The original teachers were Jim Barstow, social sciences, Deb Sharp, English, De Tonack, math and physics, and Jane Obbink, natural sciences. Since then, Beth Briney came the second year to replace Deb Sharp, and Jane has since moved to Alaska, and was replaced by Sara LeRoy-Toren.The main idea for the focus program was to give students an alternative to regular high school. The teachers' vision consisted of a place where students could come and feel welcome and comfortable enough to express their individual talents and ideas.
The school opened for the 1997-1998 school year, accepting juniors and seniors. Since then, changes have been made, allowing the Zoo School to accept sophomores and freshmen.
In 1999, Zoo School created its own Key Club
Key Club
Key Club International is the oldest and largest service program for high school students. It is a student-led organization whose goal is to teach leadership through serving others. Key Club International is a part of the Kiwanis International family of service-leadership programs...
, partnering with the Lincoln Kiwanis Club
Kiwanis
Kiwanis International is an international, coeducational service club founded in 1915. It is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Current membership is 240,000 members in 7,700 clubs in 80 nations...
. Every week, students meet to work on fund-raising, community events, and volunteer work.
Zoo School's technology consists of a lab of iMac
IMac
The iMac is a range of all-in-one Macintosh desktop computers built by Apple. It has been the primary part of Apple's consumer desktop offerings since its introduction in 1998, and has evolved through five distinct forms....
s, which arrived at the beginning of the 2006-2007 school year. There are 3 PowerMac G4s and 1 PowerMac G5, which enable students to create documentaries and video yearbooks using movie software, like Final Cut Express HD. Zoo School works with the Information Technology Program, another focus program, to gain access to state of the art equipment.
Zoo School has made some changes throughout the years, but their goal is maintained: to give students the best education possible, to instill an excitement and a craving for knowledge, to teach and learn together.
Student Life
The Science Focus Program grows every year and changes as new students arrive. As many of the students are talented and diverse, clubs are started frequently. A few official clubs include the Chess Club, Key Club, Amnesty International, Science Olympiad Club, Roots & Shoots, Science Day Planning Club, and a prospective Robotics Club.Every Year, the Lincoln Children's Zoo hosts a "Science Day" in which the public, along with elementary schools, walk around the zoo as Science Focus Program Students enrich their knowledge with fun scientific activities. All students work stations and participate.
Many students at the Science Focus Program are very mature and part of other organizations of political, artistic, or scientific nature. The Zoo School is a fantastic way to make connections throughout the city.