The National Aquarium at Al Qana has launched a new education programme that involves an encounter with a giant lizard.
The Professor’s Academy allows teachers to visit the location and livestream their encounter with amazing animals to classrooms in order to teach kids about the UAE’s costal heritage and conservation.
Students will be able to nominate teachers to visit the aquarium to face their fears and enter the habitat of the water monitor lizard The Professor.
A professional marine biologist and trained educators from The National Aquarium are also on hand to answer questions from students during online classes.
The Professor is a water monitor lizard who will be the now be an educational ambassador at the National Aquarium.
The species plays a key role in forests, rivers and coastlines, moving across multiple habitats, which are all represented within The National Aquarium’s ten zones.
Aspen Heights British School was the first school to visit the Professor as part of the educational programme.
“The introduction of our education program and ‘Professor’ is an important component of the aquarium’s ethos – becoming a regional role model in both conservation and education,” said Anne Bourbon, manager of education and conservation at The National Aquarium.
“At The National Aquarium, we always look for fun, interactive and responsible ways to educate our community and visitors. What we are offering is an approach to learn by getting closer to animals and their environments, with the desire of inspiring young minds to reconnect with nature and think of solutions to achieving a sustainable future.
“We are convinced that playful learning (edutainment) can have a positive and appealing impact on a child’s education.
“Monitor lizards are fascinating animals and Professor is an excellent choice as our ambassador since he grew up in close contact with people, particularly children. He also represents the connection between land and aquatic environments. He will be the star of our school programs and we are thrilled to introduce him to the students in the UAE for a memorable experience.”
For requests, contact The National Aquarium education department education@thenationalaquarium.ae
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