Taronga - Win Free Entry for your class to Taronga Zoo/Enrichment Design Comp

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https://taronga.org.au/education/digital-programs-online-resources/enrichment-design-competition

STEM Enrichment Design Competition
Win a visit to Taronga Zoo Sydney

Design your own animal enrichment object
Zoo keepers and volunteers at Taronga spend a large amount of time creating enrichment for the animals in their care.

Enrichment is an important aspect of animal husbandry in zoos as it tries to make life at the zoo as natural and stimulating as possible. Its purpose is to induce as near to natural behaviour as possible as well as promoting mental and physical activity.

Put your design and production skills to the test by submitting new and exciting enrichment object for one of two animals found at Taronga Zoo Sydney.

The animals
Meerkat
Pygmy Marmoset
Competition details
Submissions opening soon.

Competition open: Tuesday 13 July 2021 at 9am

Competition close: Friday 17 September 2021 at 5pm

Competition requirements
IDENTIFY and DEFINE -  select one of the two chosen animals and use the enrichment competition resource to familiarise yourself with their needs
RESEARCH and PLAN - it is important to have sound knowledge of the species’ natural behaviours and physiology when developing an enrichment object. Undertake further research about the animal as well as existing enrichment designs and materials before designing a device that will encourage natural behaviour as well as promoting mental and physical activity
NOTE: the enrichment object must be able to be added and removed from the animals' exhibit.

PRODUCE and IMPLEMENT – prototype or create your enrichment design
TEST and EVALUATE – use the enrichment design checklist found within the competition resource to ensure your design meets all the criteria
The Enrichment Competition Resource is also a great tool to help build an understanding on the animals to design enrichment for, different examples of enrichment to help spark creativity and also introduced Taronga's behavioural scientist team that judged the entries.

Prize
The winning enrichment designs will be judged by a panel of Behavioural Scientists and Zoo Keepers from Taronga Zoo Sydney.

Chosen designers will receive FREE entry for their whole class to visit Taronga Zoo Sydney, meet the judges and observe their enrichment object being given to their chosen animal.