Every year at Sterling High School, AP Biology teacher Nicole Schelmmer takes her class on a field trip to Brookfield Zoo. This trip happens towards the end of the year, since the last two units for the class are ecology and evolution. 

  During the field trip, students do a scavenger hunt around the zoo. Schlemmer explains how “the scavenger hunt has students searching for animals that exhibit many characteristics or relationships observable in the wild so this was just a fun, social way to do so before the upcoming weeks of AP testing.” 

  Many students enjoy this field trip because it’s a relaxing thing to do before the AP test and still learn about their unit. This is one of the favorite days of the year for the students and Schelmmer. 

   Schlemmer continues explaining how “it is one of [her] favorite days of the year and students work so hard all year long, it is just a great way to celebrate our achievements and take a little break before our big AP test on May 16. Students also look forward to it all year long!”

  Students in the past really enjoyed looking at the animals. 

  Senior Yamaam Alkalhaf said, “I really enjoyed seeing the lizards and giraffes and it was a great learning experience.” 

  Senior Emily Lofgren went this year and had a really enjoyable time learning “the different types of environment of the animals and being able to see things such as sexual dimorphism, dispersion patterns, and animals with unique adaptations.” 

  After the field trip students get to go out to eat at portillos. A lot of students love going to eat there as it’s an out of town fast food restaurant that no one has often. 

  Junior Kate Austin stated, “The field trip and Portillos were very good and I had a lot of fun seeing the animals.” 

  Though the field trip is a simple event, it still provides memories and valuable learning experiences every year for all students.