Students Develop Solutions to Real World Problems at MN Zoo

March 28, 2023

Eight sophomores led by Frances Weyrauch, Chad Anderson, and Mike Steineman ‘92 in their College Prep, Advanced, and Honors Biology classes with massive amounts of help from CDH STEM Coordinator, Jeff Winsor ‘09 participated in the ZOOMS STEM Exhibition Day Sponsored by Flint Hills at the Minnesota Zoo.

The ZOOMS STEM Design Challenge offers students in grades 3-12 a chance to develop a solution to a real problem faced by zookeepers and staff at the Minnesota Zoo. This year, students were challenged to apply their science and math knowledge, creativity, and problem-solving skills to engineer an innovative enrichment or exhibit design solution for the Minnesota Zoo’s Malayan Tapirs. 

The team of Penelope Deignan ‘25, Julia Haas ‘25, Lucy Bartels ‘25, and Soleil Sangster ‘25 won the Wolfpack Award for their exhibit design “Tapir’s Terrific Terrain!” This award highlights a team that demonstrated collaboration throughout the design process in a purposeful and enthusiastic way and incorporated ongoing external or peer feedback as a means to modify and improve their design.