Have your after-school program join this fun and exciting connection with the Cleveland Metropark Zoo! Ever wonder how it's possible to train a wide variety of zoo animals to listen to basic commands? Participate in the zoo's interactive training game and they might even be able to train you!

Videoconference Outline

• Basics of Training – Steps
• Reasons to Train
• Reinforcement
• Animal Guests
• Question and Answer

Program Objectives

• Students will identify the steps that are involved in training an animal.
• Students will learn how to determine reinforcers.
• Students will train an animal or fellow classmate and evaluate the outcome.

Materials Needed

• Pencil and paper
• M&Ms, pennies, or some form of reinforcement that would be appropriate for the persons being “trained”
• Stop watch
• Clicker, whistle, or bell.

Pre-Videoconference Activities

• List Steps for Riding a Bicycle: Break into groups and list all of the steps involved in riding a bicycle. Each groups will trade lists and add steps that are missing. Continue until the lists have passed through each group.
• Research Animal Training Techniques:Using the library or Internet, research animal training techniques. What did you discover? Are there similarities? Did the “author” convince you that this was an effective method?

About The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo improves the future for wildlife by exhibiting animals and plants and providing education and conservation programs which encourage respect and stewardship of the natural world and a better understanding of our place within it.

Cleveland Metroparks zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA). Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation, and your link to helping animals in their native habitats.

Visit the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Distance Learning page to view the free videoconference programs they offer!

About the After School Connections Project

The After School Connections Videoconference Project is designed to offer innovative videoconference programming for After School programs. Throughout the year, MAGPI will partner with award-winning videoconference content providers to offer programs that appeal to a wide audience and require little formal preparation for participants. We're looking forward to an exciting line-up!