If you ever want to feel inspired about the future of our planet, sit down and listen to what young people have to say! On Wednesday 22nd June Taronga Zoo held a Kids Teaching Kids event where 150 year 5 & 6 students from Leura Public School and Middle Harbour Public School gave presentations on a chosen endangered species. Each group of students stood up the front and sang, acted, showed films, gave speeches, and inspired the young audience (and old...we had a lot of special guest staff from the zoo come to watch too!) to get on board and help them save their species. For the whole of school term two, students have been learning about Taronga’s 10 Legacy species, including the Marine Turtle, Regent Honeyeater, Sumatran Tiger, and the rarely heard of Pangolin. They have been studying their habitats, the threats, and exploring ways that they and their school community can help to save their species. The students’ presentations encouraged the audience to get on board and help them in their conservation journey, and asked others to take local action.

Throughout the day students met and heard from two Taronga scientists, and heard what Taronga Zoo is doing to help save the Taronga 10 Legacy Species. And, of course some time was put aside for students to walk around the zoo and enjoy observing the animals on display.

Overall, everyone at the event walked away from the day feeling inspired, and equipped with more knowledge and ideas for how to take action to save Taronga’s amazing 10 Legacy Species. Kids can often be the best educators!

For more information about how your school can get involved in this engaging learning experience, see here.

By Learning and Engagement Officer, Cate Webster