The entrance to the Kansas City Zoo. (Shria Malay ’27)

The Middle School Disease and Ecology class, taught by Mrs. Kat Jones, went on an exciting field trip to the Kansas City Zoo. Despite the weather not being ideal, the students were still able to see some amazing animals and have a great time.

Before the field trip, the students had to prepare pamphlets about two endangered species in the zoo. This activity helped the students learn more about the animals they were going to see and also increased their awareness of endangered species and conservation efforts.

As soon as they arrived at the zoo, the students were filled with excitement and anticipation. The first stop were the otters and the adventure carried on from there.

The students were thrilled to see animals such as the lions, tigers, and penguins up close. They learned about the animals’ habitats, behaviors, and conservation efforts.

One of the highlights of the trip was when the class got to see the underwater animals. They saw polar bears, otters, stingrays, and much more. One student, Payton Ryan ‘27 said, “I liked watching the penguins swim.”

They also got to pet the stingrays while they were swimming underwater. The staff asked them to wash their hands and take off all jewelry before petting them. They pet them with two fingers and a light stroke on their back.

Another exciting moment was when the students got to visit the snake exhibit. There were many snakes in different displays. Even though snakes are not the most popular animals, the students were fascinated by their unique features and behaviors. 

The students not only got to see the animals up close, but they were also able to learn about the zoo’s conservation efforts. The zoo staff talked about their efforts to protect endangered species. The students were able to ask questions and engage in discussions about conservation and the importance of protecting these species.

The students managed to see a variety of animals and have a great time. Along the way, there were different parks, playgrounds, food trucks, and other exciting elements. Abby Kaye ‘27 said, “Going on all the slides and all of the playgrounds was definitely my favorite part of the trip.”

The field trip was not without its challenges. Mrs. Jones said, “I thought it was a good field trip. It was cold, so a lot of the animals were not out, but it’s always nice to get out and see students outside of the school environment. Despite the animals not being there, all students still gave their presentations.”

Overall, the Middle School Disease and Ecology class’ field trip to the Kansas City Zoo was a chaotic but fun experience. It was a great way for the students to learn about ecology, conservation, and endangered species in a hands-on and engaging way. This field trip will be a memorable experience for the students and will surely leave an impact on their understanding of the natural world.