Columbus Zoo presented with scholarships

POWELL, OH-The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s Zoo School was recently presented with three levels of scholarships from Otterbein College.  The scholarships are based on science outreach initiatives that the School has achieved and will be awarded to eligible Zoo School seniors who meet criteria based on grade point average, a science or math related project, an essay based on his/her Zoo School experience as well as several other qualifications.

Zoo School is a pilot program that is a cooperative effort by the Delaware/Union Educational Service Center, the Franklin County Educational Service Center and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and is conducted Monday through Friday from 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., August 27 until June 10.  The school consists of 28 selected students from 14 area high schools.  Students were selected based on high school transcript, letter of interest and three references.  Each student has a strong interest in zoo related careers and has the opportunity for in-depth study and research.  The program can be applied towards three credits—two Science and one elective.  Each student has a program of study consisting of Research, Statistics and Zoology.  The Zoo School program contains 32 research projects that include classification of organisms, animal behavior and individualized projects based on student interests. 

According to Nancy Hampson, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s Director of Education, “The Zoo School is a significant partnership with Franklin, Union and Delaware counties”.  “We’re thrilled that the first year has been so successful.  Otterbein’s acknowledgement of our efforts is thrilling.  We look forward to continued success and future expansion of the Zoo School program”.