Zooskol Porho 2021 May 2026

Zooskol Porho 2021 – A Snapshot of the Year‑long Zoo‑Based Learning Initiative

Background
In the spring of 2021 the Czech Republic’s leading zoological institutions launched Zooskol Porho, a collaborative educational programme that combined the resources of the Prague Zoo, the Brno Zoo, and a network of regional schools (the “Porho” consortium). The name is a portmanteau of zoo + škola (Czech for “school”) and Porho, the acronym of the participating municipalities (Pardubice, Olomouc, Rokycany, Hradec Králové, Ostrava). The project was conceived as a response to the COVID‑19‑induced disruption of classroom learning, aiming to keep children connected to nature while respecting public‑health restrictions.

Educational Goals

The educational goals of ZooSchool Porho 2021 were multifaceted:

To raise awareness about the diversity of life on Earth and the challenges faced by various species.
To promote empathy and compassion towards all living beings.
To inspire action in support of conservation efforts.

The Mission

The mission of ZooSchool Porho is to educate and inspire the community about the importance of wildlife conservation. By providing interactive and engaging educational programs, ZooSchool seeks to cultivate a sense of responsibility towards the environment and its inhabitants.

4. Pedagogical Highlights

Inquiry‑Based Learning – Each lesson began with a “Mystery Question” (e.g., “Why do giraffes have such long necks?”) that students explored through zoo data, videos, and experiments.
Blended Reality – The AR cards turned a static picture into a manipulable 3‑D model, allowing learners to “dissect” a virtual elephant heart without any invasive procedures.
Collaborative Problem‑Solving – Small groups tackled real‑world challenges (e.g., designing a low‑impact feeding station for the zoo’s otters) and presented their solutions to keepers.
Formative Assessment – Quick polls, digital exit tickets, and a final portfolio gave teachers immediate insight into student progress.