Amazon Chattanooga fulfillment center associates went on a field trip to lend a helping hand to the Chattanooga Zoo. Associates volunteered to officially launch the zoo’s mobile STEM lab, a new, immersive educational program that Amazon donated equipment to earlier this year. Amazon donated lab coats, microscopes, slides, eye droppers and other gear to prepare the mobile STEM lab program for its launch.
Amazonians welcomed a group of kids to the STEM lab at the zoo, helping them suit up in lab coats before partnering up on activities. Kids analyzed slides of feathers and insect wings under microscopes at the Fantastic Flight station, tested water quality with litmus strips at the What’s Up with that H2O station, and more.
After Amazonians and kids completed the activities, Chattanooga Zoo’s animal ambassadors brought over a python and fennec fox for an animal meet and greet letting students interact with the animals face-to-face. Students spoke with the ambassadors and Amazonians about real-life applications of STEM at jobs within the zoo and at Amazon.
Chattanooga Zoo Education Specialist Peri Anne Edwards said the equipment Amazon donated would help the zoo expand its outreach program beyond the zoo.
"The Chattanooga Zoo believes that people are the key to conservation and that starts with getting students excited about science and showing them they play an active role,” said Ms. Edwards. “These mobile learning labs introduce students to academic scientific standards while also empowering them to see themselves as scientists. This program would not have been possible without the support of Amazon."
Amazon Chattanooga Senior Ops Leader Chris Brock said associates were thrilled to be part of the STEM lab’s launch.
“At Amazon, technology and innovation fuel our business,” said Mr. Brock. “We are proud to encourage STEM learning by donating supplies to support the launch of the Chattanooga Zoo’s mobile STEM lab, so that children can develop real world skills that will prepare them for 21st century jobs.”
Interested parties can now book Chattanooga Zoo’s mobile STEM lab for hour-long labs at www.chattzoo.org/education/outreach. Each lab includes hands-on learning stations that meet school curriculum standards.