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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY <br />Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park and the Parks, Recreation, <br />and Community Services Agency (PRCSA) propose <br />Community Connections: The Zoo & You as a means of <br />providing science education for over 20,000 local youth on <br />an annual basis. Today, the Zoo and its partners are limited <br />in their reach, but the potential exists for a comprehensive <br />environmental literacy network within the city that will <br />increase academic success in science, advance connections <br />to nature, and promote environmental stewardship. <br />This project aims to make direct connections with youth <br />at specific points in their development. Programming <br />will be tailored for early childhood learners, elementary - <br />age students at several levels, middle school youth, <br />and family groups. Santa Ana Zoo and its partners will <br />coordinate efforts around a complete scope and sequence <br />of programming, designed using age -appropriate <br />developmental best practices and based on pedagogical <br />theory, which provide much -needed education in science <br />content knowledge and skills. <br />By integrating the Zoo's curricula into programs presented <br />through the public schools and other community <br />organizations, this project helps the informal science <br />learning ecosystem in Santa Ana flourish. Through <br />Community Connections: The Zoo & You, youth in Santa <br />Ana will have many more opportunities to become part of <br />the science learning ecosystem. <br />This timeline for this proposal spans three years of partner <br />formation, curriculum and program design, resource <br />development, and capacity -building. A comprehensive <br />evaluation strategy will accompany the program <br />throughout development and implementation, with a <br />summary report of key findings and recommendations. <br />19C-7 <br />