The overall purpose of this project is to provide our kindergarten students with a rich, hands-on learning experience that brings their classroom lessons to life. Many of our students have never had the opportunity to visit a zoo, and this field trip to the Naples Zoo will give them a rare and exciting chance to see animals they’ve only read about in books. The trip addresses the need for real-world connections to enhance student engagement, especially for our young learners who thrive through sensory, experiential learning. It also ensures equity, making sure that all children—regardless of financial background—can participate in this special experience.This trip directly supports Florida State Standards in science, particularly those related to life sciences, habitats, animal classification, and basic needs of living things. Our goal is to build foundational scientific understanding in a joyful, memorable way. Students will be able to observe animal behavior, identify habitats, and understand the concept of conservation. The trip also promotes social-emotional learning, encouraging curiosity, cooperation, and respectful engagement with the natural world.

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Paws, Claws & Learning: A Kindergarten Adventure to the Naples Zoo

School:
Lavern Gaynor Elementary 
Subject:
Science 
Teacher:
Arizona Keegan 
 
Kelly Dodge and Michael Marcotte 
Students Impacted:
69 
Grade:
Date:
July 16, 2025
Deadline:
August 1, 2025

0% Funded

 

 

Only $978.00 Needed

 

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Goal(s)

The overall purpose of this project is to provide our kindergarten students with a rich, hands-on learning experience that brings their classroom lessons to life. Many of our students have never had the opportunity to visit a zoo, and this field trip to the Naples Zoo will give them a rare and exciting chance to see animals they’ve only read about in books. The trip addresses the need for real-world connections to enhance student engagement, especially for our young learners who thrive through sensory, experiential learning. It also ensures equity, making sure that all children—regardless of financial background—can participate in this special experience.This trip directly supports Florida State Standards in science, particularly those related to life sciences, habitats, animal classification, and basic needs of living things. Our goal is to build foundational scientific understanding in a joyful, memorable way. Students will be able to observe animal behavior, identify habitats, and understand the concept of conservation. The trip also promotes social-emotional learning, encouraging curiosity, cooperation, and respectful engagement with the natural world.

 

 

Category

Community Partnerships - Gulfshore Playhouse, Naples Players, Naples Zoo, Botanical Gardens, etc. 

 

Project Description

Our kindergarten team is planning a full-day field trip to the Naples Zoo. The day will include guided exploration of animal exhibits, interactive presentations by zoo staff, and small group discussions with teachers and chaperones. Prior to the trip, students will study different animal groups and their habitats in class. At the zoo, they will see these animals firsthand and complete scavenger hunt activities that reinforce classroom content. After the trip, students will create reflection journals and drawings to demonstrate their learning and share their experience with classmates and families. This project meets a critical need for experiential learning in early childhood education. Our students are curious, imaginative, and deeply eager to explore the world around them. Visiting the Naples Zoo will not only deepen their understanding of academic content, but it will also foster a lifelong love of learning and appreciation for nature. For many families, the cost of transportation and admission would be a barrier. This grant would ensure that every child can participate fully in this educational experience, creating a sense of inclusion and shared excitement across our classrooms. 

 

Expected Outcomes

Our students will develop a deeper, more personal connection to the concepts of animal life, habitats, and conservation. They will gain vocabulary, observational skills, and scientific thinking abilities. Just as importantly, they will build confidence, independence, and social bonds through the shared experience of travel and discovery. We anticipate increased engagement in follow-up lessons and more meaningful student conversations about nature and science.We will measure student growth through a combination of teacher observations, student journals, class discussions, and a simple post-trip assessment that aligns with our kindergarten science standards. Teachers will look for improvements in vocabulary use, content comprehension, and enthusiasm for science topics. We will also gather informal feedback from students and families about the experience and its impact.

 

 

Purpose of Funding

We are requesting funding to cover the cost of round-trip transportation via school bus and admission tickets to the Naples Zoo for approximately [insert number] kindergarten students and accompanying staff/chaperones. These grant funds will ensure that all students can participate, regardless of economic background. Specifically, the funding will be used for:

School Bus Transportation & Zoo Admission Tickets for Students and Chaperones

These items directly support our learning objectives by providing access to this unique, immersive experience. Without this funding, many students would be unable to attend, missing a valuable academic and developmental opportunity. 

 

Items

# Item Cost
1 Student Tickets ($12 each) $828.00
2 Bus Funding $150.00
  Total: $978.00

0% Funded

 

 

Only $978.00 Needed

 

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Special Thanks to Our Presenting Partners

Suncoast Credit Union