Dianne Moran-Naturalist View

Of the Wild, A Naturalist’s View

Dianne Moran is a professional naturalist with over 20 years at the St. Louis Zoo and a lifetime of fascination with nature.  She lives in the deep woods where live animals abound.  She is tickled by the comical side of animals (outlandish behaviors and smells top the list) and enjoys sharing some of her personal experiences with the audience.

Performance - Science GLEs, Strands 3 & 4

Dianne Moran presents a fast paced and FUN program that makes a great Earth Day, MO Day,  school year or summer school experience.  The program offers an understanding of food webs, classification, environmental awareness and most importantly the message that all of us, including children, are caretakers of the earth.  Of the Wild offers numerous opportunities for audience participation, addresses MAP/GLE science requirements and includes:

• Live invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles and a mammal (a minimum of 5 animals are included)
• An animal bio fact display of bones, skeletons, tongues, tusks and preserved specimens provides ample hands on activities during and following the program.
• Audience participation

PreK-Adult/Curriculum Connections:  Customized to Curriculum. Science/Ecology, Missouri/St. Louis History also appropriate for general audiences

Workshop - Science GLEs, Strands 3, 4 & 7

Participants may volunteer to handle three live animals, including a snake, an amphibian and either a small mammal or a lizard.  The class will examine bio facts and physical structures that are key to the live animals.  They will compare and contrast information on the animals' niche within its own environment.  
1st-12th/Customized to Curriculum, Science/Ecology, Missouri/St. Louis History

Residency - Science GLEs, Strands 3, 4 & 7

During the in-depth 4 session program students identify and compare physical structures and life cycles of an assortment of live animals, engage with hands-on bio fact and fossil displays and write nature journaling.  Day 1 is an introduction designed to heighten anticipation and includes one live animal.  Day 2 students will examine invertebrates and amphibians in small research groups.  Day 3 is reserved for nothing but reptiles!  Day 4 features mammals and birds, with students comparing structures that serve similar functions in these animals.  Closing information inspires students to be Earth Caretakers.  Materials are supplied with simple instructions on making the student journals.
3rd-12th/Communication Arts, Critical Thinking/Problem Solving, Science/Ecology, Missouri/St. Louis History

Representing only the highest quality teaching artists and performers!