The EAST Initiative is pleased to announce 16 student-led projects from eight EAST programs across Arkansas have been approved by the Little Rock Zoo as part of “Project Zoo”, an initiative that empowers students to solve real-world problems which improves the quality of life for the zoo’s animals, visitors and staff.

Project Zoo provides EAST students of all ages with opportunities to work alongside conservation professionals, deepening their understanding of animal care and environmental conservation while developing solutions that improve both animal wellbeing and visitor experience.

Since its relaunch in 2022 following the COVID-19 pandemic, Project Zoo has already provided countless hands-on learning experiences, with dozens of student projects benefiting the Zoo, its animals and its guests — including designing and 3D printing anesthesia masks for lions and developing a braille map for visitors who are visually impaired.

Participating EAST Programs:

• Brookland Junior High School
• Calico Rock High School
• Eagle Mountain Magnet Elementary School (Batesville, Ark.)
• Hot Springs Junior Academy
• Hot Springs World Class High School
• Pinnacle View Middle School 
• Sulphur Rock Magnet Elementary School (Batesville, Ark.)
• University Heights School of Medical Arts (Jonesboro, Ark.)

Project Zoo is led in part by Breanna Burris, a Program Coordinator at EAST Initiative and a former educator who participated in the program.

“As a former EAST facilitator who taught students who participated in Project Zoo, I saw firsthand the spark it created in their passion for education,” Burris said. “Taking education out of the classroom and giving students a chance to create real change with such an influential partner like the Little Rock Zoo has instilled a passion for service and innovation in hundreds of EAST students.”

Mickey Thompson, Community Partnership Programs Coordinator for the Little Rock Zoo, is heading the Project Zoo program for the first time in his career and was struck by the enthusiasm he encountered from EAST students.

“As a new member of the Conservation Education team, it has been a refreshing experience to see the amount of appreciation and enthusiasm EAST students have demonstrated toward the Zoo, our conservation work, and care for animals,” Thompson said. “This will be a fun year seeing projects come to life, and I am honored to be a part of Project Zoo.”

EAST facilitator Kathryn Cantrell from Pinnacle View Middle School participated in Project Zoo last year and cherishes the impact the program has had on her students.

“My students loved being a part of Project Zoo and contributing to the animals and educational programs there,” Cantrell said. “These projects allow them to learn a variety of technical, collaboration and communication skills. The feedback from the zoo staff has enabled them to pursue more advanced projects in the future.”