About ZooBot

History of Zoobot

The School of Zoological and Botanical Program otherwise known as ZooBot was established by Dr. Carolyn Murphy in coordination with South Carolina's Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in 2009. The program accepted 55 students in its inaugural year beginning with 6th grade and subsequently adding a grade level each year.

Dr. Carolyn Murphy retired in 2011 and Ms. Kristin Ziegler and Ms. Courtney Randle took over leadership. Ms. Randle relocated to another state the next year and Ms. Ziegler was the Lead Teacher for the magnet program for the next 6 years. Ms. Kimberly Jeter served as the Lead Teacher for the following 2 years. Ms. Tabitha Cuffy is the current Lead Teacher of the ZooBot program.

The program has continued to grow each year and now has about 150 students dedicated to being a steward of the environment. In 2021, ZooBot was nationally certified as a demonstration school by the Magnet Schools of America, exceeding the criteria of a certified school, and now serves as a learning model for magnets across the country to replicate.

The student's interest in the care and conservation of the environment is utilized to guide their learning experiences in their classes. Learning is facilitated in the classrooms using inquiry, research, projects, hands-on experiences, guest speakers, and field studies.

The magnet program has formed partnerships with multiple organizations since its establishment in 2009. These organizations include Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden, Richland Soil and Water Conservation, South Carolina State Parks, the Georgia Aquarium, and Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services (PAALS).

Dr. Carolyn Murphy

Kristin Ziegler

Kimberly Jeter

Tabitha Cuffy

Overarching Theme: Conservation of the Environment

Environmental Justice

Environmental Laws, Health Hazards, Environmental Racism, and Regulatory policies & procedures

Protected Lands, Water, and Species

Waterways, Animals, Ecosystems

Farming in the 21st Century

Agricultural Markets, Farming Cooperatives, Sustainable Crops

Environmental Advocacy

Climate Change, Community Projects, Service Learning

What does the ZooBot program offer?

Longleaf Middle School’s Zoobot magnet program provides students with deep knowledge and appreciation of both local and exotic animal and plant life while learning about careers in animal and plant husbandry and research. We seek also to immerse our students in studies and experiences of ecologies that will lead many to a life-long focus on understanding, appreciating, and protecting the ecosystems of the Earth.

The magnet program will assist students in experiential learning through the study of various ecosystems, found in local environments, such as Sandhills, local rivers, wetlands, Pine Barrens; and the animals and plants found at the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. Students will learn from local and international zoologists and ecologists, as well as local experts in areas of ecology, farming, orchard maintenance, and conservation.

Students will integrate scholarly research with field studies, the construction of school gardens, the use of technology and the arts, and an educative outreach to the community - local, national and international. In addition, the magnet will, in time, allow students to do ecological studies within the state and nationally as well as abroad.

Goals

Students will focus on science across the curriculum, including social studies, English, and mathematics.
Students will increase science literacy and test scores.
Students will be active advocates at their school and in their community for environmentally responsible behavior.
Students will explore the wide variety of science careers available to them.
Students will be engaged in inquiry-based learning through projects and field studies on and off campus and the neighboring states of South Carolina.
Students will utilize the facilities of the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, state parks, and other partnerships to reinforce environmental science concepts including college and career readiness.
Students will gain a greater sense of connectedness and stewardship toward the natural world.

Community Partnerships

Page updated

Report abuse