15、Experience as zookeepers: How did children learn about the job of a zookeeper?

 

Namiko KAWAMURA

Oita University

 

This study was aimed at evaluating a program of “Keeper for a Day for Kids in Sapporo Maruyama Zoo”. The program was over the course of three hours (9:00 a.m.-12:00 a.m.) including preparation for feeding and cleaning up of cages. One zookeeper supports one or two children. This program was intended for 9-12 year olds. Questionnaires consisting of twelve items were given before and after the program and constructed by the authors. One hundred and eight children received the questionnaires at the zoo. The children and their parents were informed of the purpose and method of the research and their parents signed consent forms. Scores obtained from the questionnaires were analyzed with SPSS20.0. A total of fifty-three questionnaires were returned (49.1%) and, fifty-one matched the criteria for this research. The score of bright, clean, near-natural, bad-smell, taking an important role, pleasurable, and importance of daily observation significantly increased after the experience of the program (p<.05). Difference of the item “bad-smell” with or without the experience of breeding animals disappeared after participation in the program. Through this program, children integrated senses with knowledge and learned the work of zookeepers.