BUDMEN EDUCATION

Curious Critter Corner

When 50 students met the zoo's biggest challenge.

QUESTION NO. B-CF3T645-2407

WHAT IF STUDENTS COULD ANSWER THE ZOO'S MOST-ASKED QUESTIONS?

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Where are all the animals?

The Number One Question

When we first heard that the Rosamond Gifford Zoo was interested in a student program, we visited the zoo to learn what they were looking for.

As we walked, listening to the tour, we became aware of a problem. One that shocked us.

The number one question the zoo gets asked: "Where are all the animals?"

We were flabbergasted. Isn't the zoo where people come to see animals?

Well, as it turns out, there was a very good reason.

The number one question the zoo gets asked is, where are all the animals?

Free Choice

The Rosamond Gifford Zoo, in Syracuse, NY is part of an exclusive organization known as the AZA—the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Their primary mission is animal conservation.

As part of that mission, animals, like humans, need free choice to be happy and thrive.

So all the animals in their habitats have free choice, so sometimes they aren't visible to vistors.

The Rosamond Gifford Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquarium (AZA)

Eight Questions

As we continued walking around the zoo, we found out there were several reoccuring questions the zoo gets asked:
Where are all the animals?
Do penguins need air-conditioning in the summer?
Why do zoos even matter?
Why do bird beaks have so many different shapes?
What is animal enrichment?
What jobs exist at the zoo?
Why don't I see something when I visit the Animal Health Center?
Why is the Rosamond Gifford Zoo's elephant conservation program so special?
And we asked a question ourselves:
What if students could answer these questions in an interactive way that could engage learners of all ages and all different learning styles?

50 Syracuse City School students. Two weeks. 8 Installations.

The Scaffold

How do we create a framework for eight different questions? Eight different installations?

We built a skeletal structure made out of recycled plastic and aluminum that could act as a scaffold for students to create rich interactive exhibits—each answering one of the eight most-asked questions.

Technical drawings and CAD model of the recyclable scaffold framework made from recycled plastic and aluminum

The Challenge

The students started with content blueprints—conceptualizing the different interactive features they might create and the content that would go on them. Content that would need the zoo as a client's approval.
They worked for the first two days, taking all the research from their visit to the zoo, distilling it into blueprints for the Zoo's education and marketing team to review.
The students sent off their content, assuming—hoping—they would get approved right away.
A student filling out the Curious Critter Corner station blueprint
A student filling out the one of the Curious Critter Corner blueprints, hoping for approval.
An original filled in blueprint for the question What Jobs Exist At The Zoo
A filled in blueprint, ready for approval.
Taking all their research, a students fills in a blueprint, for approval.
Taking all their research, a students fills in a blueprint, for approval.

The Call

The Zoo called us.
In a panic.
"The students really missed the mark."
How bad?
"They are unusable."

We said: 'Great! This is a learning opportunity.'

No Threats. Only Opportunities.

Blank blueprints the students need to fill out

The Meeting

The next day we walked in and told the students: the timeline has shifted.
That morning, the client was going to meet with each student group and give them feedback on their blueprints. Because our first round of blueprints seriously missed the mark.
We told the students that the client's feedback is like a cheat code to success.
Each student group proceeded to meet with the client. As their coaches, we stayed in the room with each group.
By the time the last group finished their meeting, we expected to find a group of high school students demoralized.
Instead, we discovered just the opposite.
THE PIVOT
This was the most determined group of students we'd ever seen.
Rapidly making revisions. Taking feedback to heart. Rising to the challenge.

Improved Blueprints

They took the feedback to heart.

The results paid off.

They submitted their new blueprints. And the zoo quickly approved.

Round 2 of the student blueprints

FABRICATION

Each group had a scaffold. They started creating.
A student referencing their drawings for their Curious Critter Corner, each answering one of the most-asked questions at the zoo.
Illustrating a spinning wheel component for their Curious Critter Corner.
Students assembling exhibits for their Curious Critter Corner
Using a two-part epoxy to create three dimensional structures of animals for their Curious Critter Corner.
Students assembling exhibits on their Curious Critter Corner.
Illustrating a component that lifts for their Curious Critter Corner.
Student learning how to sew for their Curious Critter Corner.
Learning how to sew for their Curious Critter Corner.
Students transferring information from their blueprint onto wood.
Fabricating their own Curious Critter Corner. Each answering one of the most-asked questions at the zoo.
Each group had components that were:
Painted
Sewn
Laser Cut
3D Printed
For many students, these techniques were entirely new.
Exhibits installed at Rosamond Gifford Zoo
Friday, the exhibits were finished and installed.
The Elephant exhibit, installed at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo.
The Elephant Conservation exhibit, installed at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo.
The Animal Choices exhibit, installed at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo.
The Animal Choices exhibit, installed at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo.
The Animal Enrichment exhibit, installed at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo.
The Animal Enrichment exhibit, installed at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo.
The Health Center exhibit, installed at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo.
The Health Center exhibit, installed at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo.
The Myth Busting exhibit, installed at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo.
The Myth Busting exhibit, installed at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo.
Spinning the wheel to reveal the answer
Spinning the wheel to reveal the answer to the question.
Lifting up the panel to reveal the answer
Lifting up the panel to reveal the answer to the question.
THE REALIZATION
Thousands of guests would see his work.
One of the most prominent moments: One of the students stood by their exhibit. And it finally dawned on him.

Real world experiences. Real world outcomes.

In our education programs, we always aim for real experiences that produce real outcomes.
They always start with questions.
When students, community partners, educators, and industry come together, they can create something greater than the sum of its parts.
Failure became fuel. Feedback became a cheat code. Determination became discovery.
When students meet real clients, real outcomes emerge.
50
Syracuse City School Students
2
Weeks
8
Interactive Exhibits
8
Questions Answered
1,000s
Zoo Visitors Reached
Recycled
Plastic & Aluminum Scaffolds
Permanent
Installation at Zoo

Technical Details

Materials & Process

  • Scaffold framework: Recycled plastic and aluminum
  • Fabrication: Laser cutting, 3D printing, painting, assembly
  • Interactive elements: Student-designed features answering each question

Partners

  • Rosamond Gifford Zoo
  • ERIE21 (student organization)
  • Syracuse City Schools
  • Budmen Industries

Timeline

  • Duration: 2 weeks (9 working days)
  • Day 1-2 (Mon & Tues): Research and initial blueprints
  • Day 3 (Wed): Client feedback and meetings
  • Day 4-5 (Thurs & Fri): Revision & approval
  • Day 6-8 (Mon-Wed): Fabrication
  • Day 9 (Thursday): Installation
  • Day 10 (Friday): Opening with students

Status

Exhibits permanently installed and active at Rosamond Gifford Zoo, continuing to educate thousands of zoo visitors.

What happens when we give students real problems, real clients, and real deadlines?

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Collaborators

ERIE21 Rosamond Gifford Zoo Syracuse City Schools Isaac Budmen Stephanie Budmen

Tags

education student projects zoo education real-world learning creative discovery method recycled materials