FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (September 27, 2011)

FESTIVAL FUN FOR EDUCATORS DURING EXXONMOBIL SCIENCE DAY AT THE DALLAS ZOO

Go wild for science during ExxonMobil Science Day at the Dallas Zoo on Saturday, October 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Educators and zoo visitors will discover booths that demonstrate scientific principles in entertaining ways, while teachers and homeschool parents participate in educational workshops and earn Continuing Professional Education (CPE) hours.

The festival-style event will include 18 booths with hands-on activities aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills.  In addition to family activities, teachers and homeschool parents can receive four CPE hours, Texas Environmental Education Advisory Committee credit, and a curriculum-filled flash drive with the day’s activities and classroom extensions.  There is no fee for teachers to participate in the workshops, but advance registration is required.

“We are excited to bring innovative, hands-on activities to teachers who will return to their classroom with new tools to engage hundreds of students in the fun aspects of science," said Suzanne McCarron, general manager, public and government affairs, Exxon Mobil Corporation. 

All zoo visitors are invited to join in the fun at the activity stations as participation is free and open to the public with zoo admission. 

"Our zoo education programs are filled with opportunities to make math and science concepts fun,” said Sean Greene, deputy director for education and interpretation.  “Many other community organizations are joining us at this event and sharing strategies to enhance education.  These great partnerships help make ExxonMobil Science Day a wonderful event for families as well as teachers.”

Teachers who did not pre-register and choose to register on-site must pay parking and admission, but are still eligible to receive CPE hours and the curriculum flash drive.  Information for educators and downloadable registration forms can be found at www.DallasZooEd.com.

The event, sponsored by ExxonMobil, is hosted by the Dallas Zoo and features the following community organizations: Audubon Dallas, Environmental Protection Agency, Dallas Water Utilities, Museum of Nature & Science, Sci-Tech Discovery Center, UT Dallas Science and Engineering Center, Dallas Heritage Village, Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area, Children’s Aquarium at Fair Park and Dallas Sanitation Services.