 The Academy, the only public education program of its kind in the world, is the first phase of multi-faceted educational programming to help fulfill Great Ape Trust of Iowa’s mission to provide sanctuary and an honorable life for great apes, study their intelligence, advance their conservation and provide unique educational experiences about great apes. The Academy is a pilot project that officials at Great Ape Trust hope to eventually offer to K-12 students in other Iowa school districts. When fully developed, The Trust’s education program will include learning opportunities for students through post-graduate study.
In the initial phase of the education program to be launched this fall, 300 students from Des Moines’ 13 middle schools and middle school programs will visit The Trust during regular public tour days, Tuesdays and Thursdays, in September and October. Students will be exposed not only to the groundbreaking scientific research in language and cognition that occurs daily at The Trust, but will be able to study science as it is integrated with other academic disciplines. For example, applications might range from math and information literacy to ecology and conservation, from history and geography to anthropology and biodiversity, and from citizenship and economics to art, reading and music. |
Great Ape Trust is certified by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums
