Zootopia
In Summer 2016, inspired by the movie Zootopia, MaST Scholars partnered with Noyce scholars and members of the student organization Future Educators of Math and Science to bring a one-week camp to 6th grade students in Ysleta Independent School District. The scholars collaborated for months to create curriculum that was hands-on, student focused, and TEKS-aligned. This unique camp was presented twice to separate cohorts of students, giving the scholars an opportunity to reflect and improve their presentation of the lessons! Both weeks students were tasked with:
- Acting out the process of photosynthesis
- Use QR codes to solve problems about animal population growth rates
- Creating an edible rock cycle
- Constructing plant and animal cells out of candy and treats
- Scaling the exhibits of the El Paso Zoo down, using the actual blueprints!
Each week ended with a field trip to the El Paso Zoo where the students were able to observe the concepts they had learned all week put to use for actual animals!
MaST would like to thank ADP, Ysleta ISD, Robert Noyce Scholarship for Teaching Miners, and MaST Mentor Teacher Blanca Rey Hernandez for guiding the students through constructing and presenting the summer camp. MaST would also like to thank the YISD Mentor Teachers who assisted and gave valuable feedback to the scholars: Arlene Lucero, Luz Gillis, George Perez, Elizabeth Castanon-Leos, Rose Navarez, Juanita Cano, Antonia Robles, Ofelia Aguilar, Paula Monge, Abril Cordova, and Amanda Mond.
Click HERE to access the Zootopia Summer Camp 2016 Curriculum.