You are here: Home : Education :
Art of Biodiversity
Grade Level: 4-8th grade (adaptable to any)
Subjects: Art, Language Arts
Setting: N.C. Zoo
Vocabulary: Biodiversity
Purpose: To familiarize students with values of biodiversity
Theme: Biodiversity has inspirational and cultural values.
Background and Procedure
Numerous people value the variety of life on Earth as an inspirational source for art, science and religion. Wild plants and animals are often held in high regard as cultural icons or symbols of a society’s values. One example of an international symbol is the dove carrying an olive branch to represent peace.
Many inspired works of art can be found here at the North Carolina Zoo (see "Artwork at the Zoo" below). Throughout your group’s visit, remind your students to keep an eye out for these works of art. Some pieces may be subtle, unlabeled or even within an exhibit; be sure to let your students find the artwork on their own. Whether it is a work of nature or a designer’s flair in crafting an exhibit, they may discover that artwork is all around them!
Give students their assignments before entering the Zoo. Tell them to locate at least five works of art on Zoo grounds that represent biodiversity in some way (students should be familiar with biodiversity concepts before given this assignment). You may have them keep a running list of all the works of art that they find.
For the five representing biodiversity, students should answer the following questions:
- What aspect of biodiversity does this artwork represent? A habitat, a biome, an vent or a culture?
- What message do you feel the artist was trying to convey?
- What level of biodiversity (species, genetic or ecosystem) does it represent and why?
- What words come to mind as you view the work of art, or how does it inspire you?
Wrap-Up
Either at the end of your visit or in the classroom have students choose one work of art, relating to biodiversity, that inspired them the most. Let each student present his or her answers to the questions above.
Extension
Further the experience by allowing students to create their own work of art based on their Zoo or other experience. Ask them how they were inspired and allow them to express this inspiration through drawing, sculpting or other art form.