King Conservation Science Scholars

overview Offered: Year-round; Onboarding new cohorts each May and November
Audience: High School youth (Grades 9-12, typically ages 14-18)

King Scholars programming considers the multiple unique developmental needs associated with high school aged youth — while fostering and supporting the individual emerging leadership capabilities of each participant.

King Conservation Science Scholars (King Scholars) can get involved through:
• Courses & Activities
• Interpretation & Facilitation
• Inquiry & Investigation
• Additional Opportunities; and
• The King Academy Alumni Network

Individuals can choose what aspects of the program that they participate in — selecting from the experiences offered to create unique schedules that fit into their busy personal, family, school, and work lives. King Scholars are welcome to participate in the program through the end of the summer following their high school graduation. At that point, they are welcome to continue their participation via the King Academy Alumni Network.  More information can be found on subsequent slides.

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courses & activities Encouraging curiosity and the cooperative exploration of different interests, diverse perspectives, and levels of understanding.

A wide range of STEAM-based and social learning opportunities are available to King Scholars at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, virtually, and/or at select community sites. These facilitated and/or self-guided experiences provide a safe space to learn and enjoy time with a community of similarly minded individuals, supported by education and community engagement professionals from a leading animal care and research facility — recognized locally, nationally, and globally for informing conservation efforts.

Select courses and activities are designed to primarily foster community and strengthen interpersonal connections among King Scholars. Others offer exploratory levels of varying depths focus on a range of interest areas: integrated sciences, sociology and psychology, expressive art and media production processes, communication and marketing strategies, college and career preparation, guest and community engagement, and more!

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interpretation & facilitation Using public speaking and engagement strategies to forge emotional and intellectual connections that promote conservation action.

An important aspect of being a contemporary, conservation-minded leader is finding confidence in your voice. King Scholars programming allows individuals to develop this as they help bring the Zoo’s message to life – engaging in authentic interactions with Zoo guests and community members. It is through these meaningful and impactful conversations that King Scholars build personal confidence as they help others: “Connect. Care. Conserve.”

Scaffolded support is provided through specialized courses and ongoing coaching, providing the King Scholar participant the ability to: assist in the facilitation of programs alongside full-time King Academy staff; engage others in educational, interactive activities; assist people with locating habitats, amenities, or event spaces; ask questions and provide explanations about animal observations; provide tangible interactions to others with a wide variety of biological artifacts.

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inquiry & investigation Providing authentic experiences that highlight future conservation-minded career possibilities.

Brookfield Zoo Chicago is at the forefront of veterinary medicine, animal health and welfare, husbandry and professional care. However, there are also environmental quality specialists, horticulturalists, arborists, educators, event planners, carpenters, digital artists, branding and marketing specialists, lawyers, financiers, grant writers, security and emergency response team members, and so much more. The Zoo is essentially a small city, and each person’s role is connected to the care and conservation of wildlife and nature.

As a result, King Scholars have a unique opportunity to connect regularly with professionals that approach their work through a lens of conservation. Regular participation can make a King Scholar eligible for opportunities for behind-the-scenes tours, chats and panels with various Zoo professionals, job shadowing experiences, off-site trips to other institutions and/or colleges, or out-of-state expeditions – like a week-long trip to participate as part of the Sarasota Dolphin Research Project.

Specialty courses and activities also give King Scholars hands-on, immersive opportunities to work with tools, strategies, and methods used by naturalists, engineers, social scientists, biologists, chemists, and physicists. Brookfield Zoo Chicago staff support the authentic application of these practices as program participants grow as citizen scientists and inquisitive individuals.

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additional opportunities King Scholars offers its participants many different ways to get involved. This may be through on-site programming or via virtual courses and options. King Scholars may also opt to receive contact hour credits by participating in some KCLA programming offered through the following structures of Zoo Adventure Passport! (ZAP!): Conservation through Gardening; Conservation Science Adventures; Conservationists in Action.

Active participation and engagement throughout our year-long programming provides:
• Unique learning experiences facilitated and supported by a dedicated staff of educators and community engagement specialists from Brookfield Zoo Chicago;
• Opportunities to join youth advisory teams that inform the development and delivery of several events at the Zoo and within its surrounding communities;
• The ability to apply King Scholar transcripts to college applications, resumes, and various volunteer service requirements;
• Brookfield Zoo Chicago access comparable to an Individual Basic membership, a bundle of ten (10) complementary free general admission passes to share with family and friends, free access to select Zoo attractions, as well as discounts in Zoo restaurants.

King Scholars who are regular and consistent participants also gain opportunities to apply for: scholarships offered through Brookfield Zoo Chicago; travel experiences; seasonal job opportunities; specialty certifications and trainings related to zoos, aquariums, museums, and educational institutions; and more!

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KING academy alumni network Providing opportunity for past and present King Academy participants to connect and share in each other's successes, experiences, and professional relationships.

The King Academy has had an impact upon thousands of individual participants since its inception. King Scholars, and its predecessor of the Youth Volunteer Corp (YVC), are part of the journeys of several pre-professionals and others in various stages of their conservation-minded careers. The King Academy Alumni Network is intended to provide individuals who went through these programs with an opportunity to turn to each other for resources, career guidance and mentorship, professional development, job leads, and a continued sense of community.

If you were part of the King Conservation Science Scholars or Youth Volunteer Corp, please feel free to share your information so that we can include in our quarterly updates and communications: KCLA Alumni Network. 

This link may also be used to provide us updates about your life that you wish to share with other KCLA Alumni.

Additionally, if you were part of the internship programs at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, please feel free to also use this form to update us about your successes and to join our network.

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application King Conservation Science Scholars is a one-time application-based program. Applicants will share information about their interest in the program, recent accomplishments, and possible college and career aspirations. Letters of recommendation are not required but welcome.

Applications open twice a year:
March 1 to April 1
• Applicants should be enrolled in Grade 9, 10, or 11 at the time of application;***
• Grade 8 applicants are eligible for our KCLA Transitions program;***
• Onboarding will take place in early to mid-May (parents/guardians must also attend).

September 1 to October 1
• Applicants should be enrolled in Grade 9, 10, 11, or 12 at the time of application;
• Grade 8 applicants will be encouraged to join King Conservation Science Explorers; and
• Onboarding will take place in early to mid-November (parents/guardians must also attend).

Applications may open earlier or close later, but these dates represent the guaranteed timeline of when they will be open.

*** Note: Grade 12 applicants are not accepted in the spring because they will be high school graduates at the start of the summer programming season. Only individuals accepted in the fall of Grade 12 or earlier are eligible to participate in summer programming. Additionally, Grade 8 graduates are eligible to start King Scholars prior to their official start of high school by participating in the KCLA Transitions program, a two-week elective offering explained in more detail in the slides for King Explorers.

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commitment King Conservation Science Scholars offers those that are accepted a wide range of ways to get involved and stay active in the programs throughout the year. This may be in-person at the Zoo or in the community, or a participant may gravitate towards our various virtual options.

This variety is because Brookfield Zoo Chicago is committed to offering the experiences that equip the next generation of conservation leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to make a difference in their respective communities. This is all possible, in part, thanks to the generosity of donors, funders, grants, and financial supporters who share in the Zoo’s vision to create a robust high school program like King Scholars.

As a result of the commitments of others to support program participants in their journeys, those accepted to this award-winning program commit to: a minimum number of engagement hours each year of active enrollment; completion of a capstone project; and supporting a positive experience for self and others by following the rules and expectations of Brookfield Zoo Chicago and the King Conservation Leadership Academy.

Clarity and training regarding these requirements is provided through onboarding processes, program communication tools, and select program sessions and related structures.

*** Note: King Academy staff are aware that individual situations and opportunities may arise that impact the ability to meet a given requirement. King Scholars and their families are encouraged to reach out to program leadership and staff to engage in necessary conversations and discussions.

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