AT&T DONATES $50,000 to bring

Animal Adventures Program to

40 DFW-area schools

Program Empowers Students to Discover and Apply STEM-based Solutions to Wildlife Questions; Promotes Awareness of Careers in Animal Welfare and Conservation

Colorful birds, cuddly mammals and crawling reptiles visited with students at Richland Elementary recently for a 45-minute interactive learning event as AT&T and the Dallas Zoo continued a series of Animal Adventure visits to 40 DFW-area schools. The educational outreach effort is in its third year and is again funded by a $50,000 contribution from AT&T.

“The Animal Adventures Program brings the real world of animals directly to our students in school,” said Linda Caram, Regional Director, AT&T External Affairs. “AT&T is proud to support this program and partner with the Dallas Zoo to bring this wonderful educational experience to students throughout the area. Hands-on, interactive learning can inspire our students to discover the world and help them discover their own passions and interests.”

AT&T is the Presenting Sponsor of the program for the 2017−18 school year. Part of the Dallas Zoo’s education department, Animal Adventures empowers students to discover and apply STEM-based solutions to wildlife questions, learn about careers in animal welfare and conservation, and nurture appreciation of animals and their connections with nature.

Aligned with TEKS, Animal Adventures supports concepts learned in the classroom. Trained to deliver age-appropriate content and messaging, Dallas Zoo instructors share fun, science-based facts that spark interest and create a sense of wonder. They pair these details with fascinating live demonstrations, showing off the animals’ unique adaptations and behaviors necessary for survival in their native habitats. Instructors also address conservation success and action to ensure that future generations can enjoy wild things in wild places.

Dr. Darrell Brown, Birdville ISD superintendent, attended the event and praised school leaders and students for participating in the program, as well as the zoo and AT&T for working to bring this innovative program to local schools.

“Animals – from the soft and furry, to the cold and crawly – can hold a child’s focus and fire their imagination,” Brown said. “I applaud the Dallas Zoo and AT&T for their continued commitment to bringing this innovative program to students in Birdville ISD and across the metroplex.”

View Pictures from Animal Adventure Visit at Richland Elementary [Opens in a new window]

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About Philanthropy & Social Innovation at AT&T

AT&T Inc. is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its community initiatives, AT&T has a long history of investing in projects that create learning opportunities; promote academic and economic achievement; or address community needs. AT&T Aspire is AT&T’s signature philanthropic initiative that drives innovation in education by bringing diverse resources to bear on the issue including funding, technology, employee volunteerism, and mentoring. Through Aspire, we’ve passed the $250 million mark on our plan to invest $350 million in education from 2008−2017.

About the Dallas Zoo: The Dallas Zoo, named one of the nation’s Top 10 Zoos by USA TODAY, is the largest zoological experience in Texas. Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, the zoo features a 106-acre park, thousands of animals, and an education department that offers programs for all ages. The zoo is located at 650 S. R.L. Thornton Freeway (I-35 at Marsalis) and is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit DallasZoo.com or call 469.554.7500. The zoo is committed to conservation and education, providing hundreds of educational experiences each year and partnering with groups worldwide to protect species. The zoo supports many international conservation projects for elephants, giraffe, cheetah, gorillas, horned lizards and more.