Download 2015/2016 UNLESS Contest Teacher Guidebook

2015/2016 UNLESS Contest
Teacher Guidebook
Reduce
Junk Mail
for
Red
Pandas
Message to Teachers
Dear Educator,
Thank you for joining the 2015/2016 Philadelphia Zoo UNLESS Contest. We are so
fortunate to have dedicated teams, like you and your students, to help us make
positive change for wildlife and wild places around the world.
This year, the goal of the UNLESS contest is to demonstrate a measurable decrease
of the amount of paper used at home, at school, or in the community by changing
our behaviors and committing to reduce the amount of junk mail we receive.
Through joining the UNLESS Contest, you are partnering with the Philadelphia Zoo
to cultivate civically-minded individuals and increase our conservation impact.
Conservation impact is one of the Zoo‘s strategic priorities. The Zoo has a 5-year
strategic plan that outlines the following regarding sustainability:
 Through implementing and evaluating an integrated “doing leads to caring”
approach, we will become one of the world‘s leading zoos at inspiring
conservation action.
 To succeed, we must also “walk the talk.”
 We will reduce the environmental footprint of our own operations in ways that
are both substantial and a visible model to our stakeholders.
In 2013, the Philadelphia Zoo continued to demonstrate leadership in
sustainability with measurable progress toward ten-year performance goals and
substantial green investments. This included our new LEED Gold KidZooU:
Hamilton Family Children‘s Zoo and Faris Family Education Center, used to
educate our guests on sustainability, empathy, and empowerment.
The UNLESS Contest has impacted thousands of students and their communities
over the past several years, and has been an immense source of inspiration. The
outcomes from this Contest have lasting impacts and genuinely create positive
change for individuals, communities, and habitats throughout this planet.
Included in this Guidebook are a number of tips and resources designed to give
you the best idea about how to proceed with the Contest. In addition, you and
your class will receive a Skype session and an on-site class with a Zoo expert.
If you have any questions at all, please email us at [email protected].
With great thanks,
The Philadelphia Zoo
Message to Teachers
Expectations for This Year’s Contest
In order to give you the best idea about how to proceed with this year’s contest,
we have included some expectations that we have for our participants.




All projects MUST include a campaign to reduce junk mail. This campaign will
direct participants to the Philadelphia Zoo’s website and instruct them to go
through the following steps:
1) Participants visit the Philadelphia Zoo’s website at (URL)
2) Participants input their email address, the name of the school or
teacher they are associated with, and a few other pieces of information
3) They will receive an email from the Philadelphia Zoo asking them to
opt-in to receiving future messaging, as well as an email giving them
instructions on how to reduce junk mail
4) Participants will reduce their junk mail by signing up with a registry
that removes their name from junk mail lists (similar to the Do Not Call
Registry)
Projects must include a positive advocacy campaign.
Projects must be student-driven and all or most of the campaign materials
should be created by students.
There must be measureable results.
Step-by-Step Guide
1
2
3
4
5
Students research red pandas and the
threats they face.
Students explore options for reducing
paper in their lives.
Students create a positive Reduce for
Red Pandas campaign to engage their
families and communities in action.
Spread the word. Engage others in
raising awareness about reducing paper
use and how that helps Red Pandas.
Track results. Results should include the
number of people reached and changes
that occurred as a result of the project.
Step 1
Red Panda Fact Sheet
Ailurus fulgens fulgens/Ailurus fulgens refulgens
Geographic Location
They are found in Nepal, Sikkim, northern Burma, and Yunnan and Szechwan in
south central China. Their main habitat consists of mountain forests, deciduous,
coniferous, and bamboo thickets at high elevations, 7,200-13,000 feet. They prefer
their habitat to range in temperatures between 50 to 77 F°.
Longevity
In the wild: 8-10 years
In captivity: up to 14 years
Median Life Expectancy: 10.7
Reproduction
 Gestation period varies from 90-150 days, suggesting that there is some
delayed implantation.
 Birth takes place in the spring with usually 1-2 cubs per litter, but they can have
up to 4
 Birth weight for cubs is approx. 200 g at one week.
 They open their eyes at about 18 days, attain adult coloration by 90 days, and
are weaned at about 5 months. The young stay with their mother for about a
year or until the next litter is born.
 In order to produce enough milk for their young, red panda mothers have to
consume 3X the normal quantity of their low-nutrient bamboo diet.
Size
Head and body length is 22-25 in; tail length is an additional 15-19 in. Weight is
usually 8 to 14 pounds for males and 9 to 13 pounds for females.
Diet
In the wild: bamboo sprouts, grasses, roots, fruits, acorns and occasionally eggs
and young birds
At the Zoo: fed Marion Leaf-Eater Diet, apple and banana in the mornings
Conservation Status
IUCN status: Vulnerable. Its population is estimated at less than 10,000 mature
individuals with a continuing decline of greater than 10% over the next 3
generations. The major threats to them are habitat loss/fragmentation, poaching,
and disease. There is currently a motion to classify them as ‘Endangered.’
Step 1
Red Panda Fact Sheet (cont.)
Ailurus fulgens fulgens/Ailurus fulgens refulgens
Behavior
 They have a mild disposition and are gentle, quiet and curious.
 Their usual vocal call is a series of short whistles or squeaky noises.
 They sometimes travel in pairs or small family groups.
 When provoked, they will give a sharp spitting hiss or a series of snorts while
standing on their hind legs.
 Leisure behavior may be observed following eating or awaking: they will stretch
or rub their abdomens or backs on a tree or rock, lick their whole bodies and
limbs and wash their faces with their paws.
 Red pandas descend trees head first.
Who’s Who at the Philadelphia Zoo
All of our Red Pandas live in Carnivore Kingdom.
Basil – Male, born June 27, 2010 at the Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend Indiana. He
arrived to the Philadelphia Zoo on March 18, 2011.
Spark – Female, born June 14, 2010 and arrived from Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
on June 14, 2010. She has a breeding recommendation with Basil through the SSP.
Mei Lin – Female (Subspecies – Refulgens red panda), born June 26, 2002 at the
Red River Zoo. She arrived to the Zoo on July 26, 2011. Her name means “beautiful
forest” in Chinese.
JJ – Female, (Subspecies– Refulgens red panda) born June 15, 2002 at the
Yokohama Zoological Gardens in Japan. She arrived at the Philadelphia Zoo on
January 23, 2014 from the Lincoln Pak Zoo in Chicago, IL
Fun Facts
 Red pandas are classified as carnivores, but their diets consist almost entirely of
bamboo!
 Red pandas possess a “false thumb” as do the giant pandas. An extended
sesamoid bone on the inner side of the wrist acts as a "false thumb" facilitating
the handling of bamboo leaves and poles.
 Refulgens red pandas are larger and darker in color than their Western Red
Panda cousins. They can also slightly vary in color from a red to brown or
yellowish.
Step 1
Climate Change and Paper Fact Sheet
Climate change is a “hot topic” these days! Headlines like “July 2015… the hottest
month ever” and “Polar Bears going extinct due to Climate Change” certainly
catch people‘s attention. There is a great deal of information in the media and on
the internet; it can be difficult to distinguish what is most accurate. We encourage
you to use the sources in this teacher guide for more information about climate
change and its impact on wildlife.
What is climate change?
The issue starts with naturally occurring greenhouse gases like water vapor, carbon
dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and ozone that absorb long-wave solar radiation
emitted by the earth and then reflect some of it back. This is called the
“greenhouse effect” and this is what keeps our planet warm enough to inhabit.
Another way to describe this effect is to think of excess carbon in the environment
as a heat trapping blanket that surrounds the earth. In the past 100 years, an
unnatural increase is greenhouse gases, in particular, carbon dioxide have made
this heat-trapping blanket thicker around the Earth‘s atmosphere. This has resulted
in an overall temperature rise by 1.4°F and scientists predict
an increase of another 2-11.5°F in the next 100 years. Burning fossil fuels (coal, oil,
and natural gas) in particular has led to a significant increase in the amount of
carbon dioxide (CO2) released into the atmosphere. Individuals and organizations,
through their use of energy, generate CO2 emissions – these emissions are
generally known as a “carbon footprint”. The average American generates about
25 tons of CO2 emissions annually. By reducing the amount of energy we use,
changing the source of our energy and simultaneously removing CO2 from the
atmosphere through carbon sequestration, we can reduce the amount of CO2 in
the atmosphere and diminish its effects on global ecosystems and wildlife.
How does climate change impact animals?
Scientists have seen impacts across many species of wildlife. Even a slight increase
in temperature can cause disruptions in migratory patterns of birds and butterflies
that depend on important plants to bloom at a certain time in the season.
Changes in rainfall can have detrimental effects on species like frogs that depend
on moist conditions for breeding. In Yellowstone National Park, scientists have
found that pools are drying up each season before tadpoles have a chance to fully
mature. Changes in temperature also have a dramatic effect on entire ecosystem,
not just individual animals. Scientists have found that with rising temperatures,
entire food webs become more complicated.
Step 1
Climate Change and Paper Fact Sheet (cont.)
How do our everyday actions impact climate change?
Although you cannot see or smell carbon, it is released into the atmosphere when
we do things like turn on lights, charge our cell phones or drive in our cars. All
of these activities require us to burn fossil fuels at the power plant or gas refinery
and burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Scientists
estimate that the average American burns about 25,000 tons of CO2 through
their daily activities each year. This number is called our “carbon footprint.”
Humans also contribute to the production of other greenhouse gases such as
methane (through agricultural processes), nitrous oxide, ozone, water vapor
and aerosols.
What is the difference between climate and weather?
Weather refers to temperature and precipitation that we are currently
experiencing. Climate refers to long term weather patterns. Over a period of 30
years, the average snowfall in a region is a measure of climate. If this average
snowfall changes over several years, this could be an indication that the climate, or
the amount of snowfall that we predict, could change. Weather refers to the
amount of snowfall happening in a specific year. One really severe or really mild
winter does not indicate climate change, however a long term change in the
average snowfall and temperature does. We will always have unseasonably cold or
hot days. Many experts say that climate is “what you expect” and weather is “what
you get.”
What is the difference between a carbon sink and a carbon source?
A carbon source is anything that produces carbon dioxide that will be released into
the atmosphere. Carbon sources can be anthropogenic (human-made) or natural.
Natural sources of carbon include decaying plants and animals, wildfires and
volcanoes. Anthropogenic or human-made sources include burning fossil fuels to
create energy. Carbon sinks are critical because they store excess carbon so that it
is not released into the atmosphere, contributing to warming. Carbon sinks include
living plants, especially trees, coral reefs and the ocean. One way to offset your
carbon footprint is to help create carbon sinks by planting trees!
Step 1
Climate Change and Paper Fact Sheet (cont.)
Can climate change really be reversed?
Scientists predict that even if we stopped using all sources of carbon tomorrow,
we would continue to see rising temperatures and sea level rise for the next 100 to
1,000 years. However, the future is in still in our hands and the choices that we
make today have the potential to slow and one day stop the rising temperatures.
We are currently creating more carbon than the carbon sinks can absorb so a
combination of planting trees or stopping deforestation (to create more carbon
sinks) and using less energy (reducing the amount of carbon released into the
atmosphere) will make a positive impact on the environment and wildlife.
What is the connection between reducing paper and climate change?
There are two major areas where the pulp and paper industry have big impacts on
climate change: the energy needed to produce paper and the loss of trees.
The pulp and paper industry is the world’s fifth-largest industrial energy consumer,
producing many hundreds of millions of tons of CO2 emissions every year. Some
industries, in particular those in Europe, are making great progress towards reducing their emissions, but worldwide it is still a huge source of greenhouse gas.
In addition to the CO2 emissions, the pulp and paper industry must cut down huge
amounts of trees in order to make paper. Forests are huge carbon sinks—that
makes they hold lots of CO2 inside them that does not get released into the
atmosphere. Once those trees are cut down, the CO2 they were sequestering is
released, and they are no longer available to take more CO2 out of the air. Trees are
so impactful on climate change, many scientists agree that our best bet for
combating climate change is to plant as many trees as possible while we reduce
our own emissions.
How does reducing paper (and thus climate change) help Red Pandas?
As the effects of climate change become more and more apparent, Red Pandas are
facing bigger and bigger odds in the wild. Red Pandas live in a small and very specific habitat in the Himalayas. They must live in a mixed forest with an undergrowth of bamboo at an altitude of 4,600-15,000 feet. This habitat runs in a narrow band on mountain slopes in China and Nepal, and their population currently
sits at about 10,000 individuals. This very limited habitat means that Red Pandas
will have no where to go as temperatures in the Himalayas rise.
Step 1
Climate Change and Paper Fact Sheet (cont.)
Why are we reducing instead of recycling? Is recycling bad?
Recycling is definitely not bad! In fact, when you recycle paper, it saves 50% of the
energy compared to making new paper. That is a pretty significant reduction of
carbon emissions! However, using less paper saves 100% of the energy needed to
make new paper. The more we reduce our paper usage, less new paper will be
needed, and fewer forests will be cut down.
Facts and figures about paper and junk mail
 Every Sunday, the United States wastes nearly 90% of our completely recyclable
newspapers. That is equivalent to 500,000 trees!
 Americans throw away enough office and writing paper annually to build a wall
12 feet high stretching from Los Angeles to New York City.
 People in North America use more paper per capita than anyone else on the
planet—500 pounds per person, per year.
 40% of the world’s industrial logging goes into making paper.
 Approximately 44% of junk mail ends up in a landfill unopened.
 It takes more than 100 million trees to produce the total volume of junk mail in
the United States.
Step 2
Ideas for Reducing Paper
Reduce Junk Mail with the Philadelphia Zoo
*this piece is a requirement for project submission*
Greenhouse gases created each year by junk mail are the equivalent of the emissions created by 4.8 million school buses. Each person receives an average of 41
pounds of junk mail every year.
Each campaign must include a piece that focuses on encouraging people to place
their names on a list that reduces the amount of junk mail sent to their house.
Students should direct the adults in their lives to
www.philadelphiazoo.org/Learn/schoolvisits/UNLESS-Contest/junkmail.htm
to sign up and receive instructions on how to reduce their junk mail. Adults must
include the name of the school or teacher for their submission to be counted
towards the results for your class.
Find Sources of Wasted Paper
Encourage students to notice some of the many ways we use paper. In particular,
look for paper that is not being used completely, or not being used at all.
- Are all printed assignments using both sides of the paper?
- Are students using both sides of their notebook pages?
- Are there any messages for parents could be emailed instead of printed?
Engage the Community in Reducing for Red Pandas
Many businesses reach their customers with paper flyers or other types of paper
advertising. Students can think of ways that businesses can reach the same
amount of people (or more!) by using digital advertising.
- Encourage restaurants to use a chalkboard to advertise their daily specials
instead of printing a new menu each day
- Find businesses that place flyers in mailboxes and encourage them to either
replace their flyers with digital advertising (like a Facebook page) or to make
smaller flyers that will save paper
Get Parents Involved
Students should talk to their parents or guardians about ways they can reduce
paper usage at home.
- Encourage parents to sign up for electronic billing and banking instead of
receiving paper statements
- Choose snacks or other products that reduce the amount of paper
packaging involved
Steps 3-5
Student-Driven Project
Students should create a Reduce for Red Pandas campaign to engage their
families, schools, and communities in action. The campaign should rely on positive
messaging, be specific and measurable, and reduce the amount of paper used at
home, at school, or in the community.
Be Creative!
Use Art and Imagination:
 Build a sculpture or other piece of art and showcase it in your community
 Create a song, poem, play, or video (2 minutes or less!) encouraging others to
Reduce for Red Pandas
 Create a book or photo journal highlighting changes at home, school, and community
Drive Awareness and Action
 Write persuasive emails to your local community asking them to reduce their
paper usage
 Create a measureable change in your community, such as raising funds for a
digital message board that could replace a bulletin board
Tips for Success
The contest is judged at four grade groupings (K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12). Submissions will be judged based on five criteria:
1) Creativity—project and presentation creativity are equally judged
2) Originality—project and presentation originality are equally judged
3) The project should be student-centered, student-driven, and studentexecuted. Students should take the lead toward including their families,
school, and the community to Reduce for Red Pandas.
4) The project results should directly link reducing paper to climate change
and its impacts on Red Pandas
5) The project should inspire others to become change agents in the
community
Steps 3-5
Student-Driven Project
Examples of Measureable Results
Quantitative (numbers)
 Record the number of people you get to visit the Philadelphia Zoo’s website to
reduce their junk mail.
 Record the number of people in your family, school or community who
participated in your campaign.
 Record the interactions with families or businesses in the community who have
pledged to increase recycling.
 Measure changes in attitudes or behaviors of your campaign participants
through an online survey.
Qualitative (descriptive)
 Ask participants to share their inspiring stories of change.
 Photographs and video of participants advocating for Reducing for Red Pandas.
 Messages or media coverage of your campaign.
Suggestions for Cross-curricular Connections
 Science Investigation – Ask your students to find scientific data about gorilla
populations and research how climate change is having an impact on them and
their environment. Project future trends for the gorilla population.
 Language Arts – Develop a written component that conveys a positive advocacy
message. Be creative — write a children‘s book, poem, persuasive story or even
a comic strip.
 Math – Track how many people you reached. Track and chart your progress
showing an increase of variety and amount of recycled at home, at school and
in the community.
 Technology – Create a tool (website, social media, or video essay) to share your
results with others. Create a movement where you are connecting others in a
joint effort to Reduce for Red Pandas.
Steps 3-5
Student-Driven Project
Tips for a successful submission
We are looking for the most creative campaign that creates permanent and
measurable decrease of paper usage at home, at school, or in the community. The
Philadelphia Zoo strongly believes that students have the power to positively
advocate for change.
Planning (2-3 weeks)
Work with students to learn about the issues. Share goals and outcomes with
stakeholders like students, parents and community leaders. Ask students to set a
timeline for when work will be completed.
Implementation (6-8 weeks)
Students should select how they plan to engage their peers, families and communities in their Reduce for Red Pandas campaign. They should begin work on the
campaign elements. We want the campaign to reach as many people as possible
and for it to get the attention of the community. Remember to record information
about the number of people reached, resources used, etc. You will need this for the
next phase!
Evaluation (Measuring Results) (1-3 weeks)
We are looking for qualitative (descriptive) results as well as quantitative
(numbers) results. The best submissions will include both and we will look for
accuracy in reporting. There are lots of ways to get measurable results from your
campaign (see previous examples) During your planning phase, determine the
goals and outcomes that you would like to see from your project. For example, set
a target for the number of people reached. Be specific—i.e. 10,000 people reached
throughout the campaign. Take it a step further and engage every family from the
school and businesses in the community in directly measuring and decreasing
their paper usage. Don‘t forget to document these direct interactions!
And finally, create a significant change by determining how much paper is saved
during the campaign. Adopt and implement a new school or community policy
committing to decrease the amount of paper used in years to come.
Use SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound).
Additional Resources
Glossary of Key Terms
Atmosphere: layer of gasses surrounding Earth
Carbon Footprint: the total amount of carbon dioxide you contribute is sometimes
known as your “carbon footprint.” Think of it as the impact you have on the planet.
A small footprint means you are helping to save energy to save wildlife. A big
footprint means you may be contributing to impacts of climate change on wildlife.
Carnivore: an animal in the order Carnivora; they usually eat meat
CO2: carbon dioxide, or CO2, is a greenhouse gas. It is absorbed by plants and generated by many manmade things, like cars.
Climate: the average weather over time.
Climate Change: any change in the climate, including rising temperatures due to
global warming.
Geographic range: the area of land that animals live in
Green: a word used to describe environmentally friendly practices
Conservation: the preservation and protection of animals, natural resources, and
plants
Conservation Status: these are categories that tells us if the animal is still around
today and if the animal may become extinct. The IUCN categorizes animals in the
following categories: Extinct, Extinct in the Wild, Critically Endangered,
Endangered, Vulnerable, Near Threatened, and Least Concerned.
Diet: the food animals eat
Environment: what makes up an area, such as land, water, air and living things
EPA: the Environmental Protection Agency is a government agency that focuses on
protecting human health and the environment
Greenhouse Gas: any gas that traps heat in the atmosphere, such as carbon
dioxide, methane, and water vapor
Additional Resources
Glossary of Key Terms
Greenhouse Effect: when greenhouse gases keep the Earth warm by trapping heat
from the sun
Impact: to have an effect on
IUCN: The International Union for Conservation of Nature. It is the world‘s oldest
and largest global environmental organization.
LEED Gold: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design is a building
certification program that rates buildings, homes, and neighborhoods based on
environmental responsibility and resource use.
Recycle: collect, sort and reprocess old materials so they can be used to make new
things
Reduce: make smaller or less in amount, degree, or size
Stakeholder: a person or group that invests or provides money
Sustainability: balancing human needs while not using up or completely
destroying the natural environment
Temperature: the hotness or coldness of something
Wildlife: animals living in nature; all living things (except people) that are not
domesticated.