A Closer Look at Zoology by Ayaana Gupta
In Mrs. Collins 7th period zoology class, students discovered a deeper understanding of animals. One sophomore, Sarah La Noire Dongo said, “I have always liked animals and wanted to understand them more and how they behave.” Dongo also stated, “My favorite thing from this year was learning how animals adapt to their environments.” Another sophomore, Amelia Frazier, shared, “I took zoology this year because I wanted to learn more about the anatomy of animals and insects.” Both students explained that the class gave them new perspectives and made learning feel more interactive and meaningful.
The students described several memorable experiences from their class, including field trips and classrooms activities. The class recently went on a field trip to the Brevard Zoo. Frazier added that, “The most interesting thing I saw on the field trip was seeing in person how tall the giraffes were compared to myself.” Dongo found it interesting to learn about “how much effort goes into taking care of the animals behind the scenes.” In addition, students mentioned the class entailed completing projects such as posters and learning about ecosystems, animals groups, and behaviors. These activities helped them better understand the real responsibilities of working with animals and how animals work.
The class could also have influenced how students think about animals and their future goals. Frazier explained, “This class has given me more insight and respect for insects and animals.” Dongo said, “The class has made me consider a career working with animals. I am not 100% sure yet but it has made me more open to the idea.” Students also shared their favorite animals, with Dongo choosing a cheetah because “they are interesting and powerful and I have always liked them.” Frazier chose owls because “their oddness to everybody else is what brings my likeness to them and they keep to themselves and are active in the night kind of like myself so I always found them intriguing as a kid.” Overall, the zoology class encouraged curiosity, awareness, and appreciation for the animal world.
Caption: Hands-on Learning: In Mrs. Collins 7th period zoology class, Sarah La Noire Dongo is observing this animal structure to better understand the anatomy and how it functions. These types of hands on activities helped bring the lessons beyond textbooks. She also worked on her March Madness activity. Dongo added, “My favorite part of this class is the hands on activities and I have realized how important conservation and protecting animals is.” Photo by: Ayaana Gupta