1. Who do you plan to interview? What is this person's area of expertise?
- Even though it didn't work out last time, I still want to try to get a hold of a worker from the Big Bear Alpine Zoo. This zoo doesn't just display the animals for education, but also has another section where they are rehabilitating them as well.
- More specifically, I would like to interview Summer McElroy because she is the lead animal keeper. Since she interacts with the animals all the time, she will most likely understand the importance of increasing awareness.
2. Post 20 open-ended questions you want to ask an expert in the field concerning your senior project. Your focus should be finding answers to your EQ.
- What would you consider to be the most important factor in the role that you play in the Alpine Zoo?
- Why did you choose to go into this field?
- Any experiences with prior animals that influenced you?
- In what ways would you try to encourage the public to participate in certain environmental issues?
- What are some of the factors that are necessary to care for the animal.
- What made you care for animals?
- Zoo's are used for educational purposes, however they are also used for entertainment. What is your opinion?
- Is there some sort of goal that you work towards while working at this organization?
- Do you think raising awareness is important?
- If so why?
- What are some of the most effective methods or techniques that can be used to raise awareness?
- Interaction? Experiences? Issues? Activities? Reach-outs?
- What made you become aware?
- Have you ever taught a group of adults or children?
- In what ways do you think the public learns?
- Interaction?
- What would you say is the most important topic to educate them with?
- What activities did you find the most effective and fun for the children?
- How do you make them care?
- Is it difficult?
- Why are wildlife educators important?
- How can a wildlife educator most effectively spread awareness?
- Why does there have to be animal rehabilitation facilities?
- What are some of the main reasons that animals end up in organizations like the zoo or the nature centers?
- Has this job experience impacted your life in any way?
- Do you think other people can have similar experiences and have the same effect?
- If yes, what types of experiences?
- What age group do you think is the most important to educate?
- Or all? And if so why?
- Knowing about all the environmental issues happening around the world, what are some of the methods that can be used to prevent them?
- What is important to you?
- How do you prevent zoochosis? (a psychological condition of animals kept in circuses and zoos)
