Three-Day Event Presented by Chicago Zoological, Lincoln Park Zoo, and John G. Shedd Aquarium
Brookfield, Ill. – Approximately 350 Chicagoland teens will get an introduction to exciting careers in wildlife and nature at the third annual Teen Conservation Leadership Conference, presented by the Chicago Zoological Society, in partnership with Lincoln Park Zoo and John G. Shedd Aquarium.
The conference takes place over three days from July 30 to August 1. The first two days take place at Dominican University in River Forest, and the last day will feature a Conservation Action Day that allows participants the option to take part in a volunteer project at two Chicago Park District locations—Montrose Bird Sanctuary and Columbus Park Natural Area. Opportunities include teens putting their conservation passion to work by pulling invasive plant species, collecting and dispersing seeds, and performing trail maintenance and litter clean-up.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for teens to experience a professional conservation and science conference and get exposure to some of the leaders in the zoo and aquarium industry, as well as professors at local universities” said, Angela Sullivan, vice president of education and community engagement for the Chicago Zoological Society. “Attendees will choose sessions in conservation, animal care and welfare, and art and science. In addition they will learn about teen programs that are offered at Lincoln Park Zoo, Shedd Aquarium, and Brookfield Zoo as well as careers in STEAM—science, technology, engineering, art, and math. They will also have the chance to develop their skill sets related to leadership, networking, and college readiness.”
Teen-focused informational workshops, lectures, and panel discussions on topics such as animal welfare, energy, and sustainability will showcase exciting STEAM careers. Program highlights include the Shedd Aquarium’s Teen Learning Lab, a space designed by teens for teens that offers hands-on science activities, and opportunities to tinker with tech, and explore aquatic-themed art, and a chance to virtually control Lincoln Park Zoo’s Beam Telepresence Technology as it makes its way through Lincoln Park Zoo.
Registration for the event is now open. To attend the conference, participants must be between the ages of 14 and 19 years old. A registration fee of $5 per person per day is required, which will contribute to the Society’s conservation initiatives and programs. For more information, including individual and group registration, visitCZS.org/teenconference or email [email protected].
Steven Levitt, co-author of the popular Freakonomics book series and tenured professor in the University of Chicago’s economics department, will deliver the keynote talk on the conference’s first day. On the second day, keynote speaker Adam J. Hecktman, director of technology and civic innovation – Chicago, Microsoft Corporation will speak to the attendees about Microsoft’s AI for Earth program.
The event is hosted by the Chicago Zoological Society’s King Conservation Science Scholars Program, an innovative program that provides Chicago area students from diverse backgrounds with opportunities to learn about animals and conservation and prepare for their futures while making a difference in their communities. King Scholars, who helped plan the conference, participate in 120 hours of community service, which they initiate based on their individual passions and interests. The program currently enrolls 275 students from more than 110 high schools from throughout the Chicago metropolitan area.
King Scholars was established with a lead gift from the King Family Foundation and is also currently supported by: Baxter International Inc.; COUNTRY Financial; Microsoft Corporation; Nalco, an Ecolab Company; S & C Electric Company; and the Women’s Board of the Chicago Zoological Society. In addition, supporters of the 2019 Teen Conservation Science Conference also include Dominican University, which donated its facilities for the conference; Lincoln Park Zoo; and John G. Shedd Aquarium
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