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Zoo Habitat simple.jpg



hosted by
Madison Public Library 
142 Plaza Blvd.
Madison, AL 35758

Registration for contest is closed.
 

Dates: August 27, 2022, 10am(lesson and supplies) & September 17, 2022, 10am (judging and prizes)

Pre-registration required: Please register no later than August 20, 2022 (register below) 

Age Recommendations: Entering 3rd grade - 6th grade (8-11 years old)

Contest fee: 

  • $10 per student.

  • Each fee covers the cost of the Animal Habitat Kit. 

  • Animal Habitat Kits include plastic animal figurine, shoebox, startup habitat supplies, and the NALZS habitat worksheet.

  • The habitat worksheet will be turned in with a diorama and is part of the judging rubric.

  • Payment will be collected at the library event (cash/card accepted).

Other Info:

  • Animals will be chosen on a first come, first served basis.

  • Students are encouraged to decorate their habitat using items found in nature and around the house. Limit one kit per student.

  • Winners' dioramas will be displayed at the NALZS booth at the Madison Street Festival on October 1st, 2022.

 

Animal Habitats:

           A habitat is the home of an animal or a plant. Almost every place on Earth is a habitat for some kinds of animals and plants. Most habitats include a community of animals and plants along with water, oxygen, soil or sand, and rocks. The two main types of habitats are land habitats and water habitats. Among the many types of land habitats are rainforests, deserts, and mountains. Because of their moist climate, rainforests support more kinds of plant and animal life than any other habitat. In contrast, deserts support only animals and plants that can live without much water. Mountain habitats have thin soil and cold temperatures; only hardy plants and animals live there. Forests, grasslands, and tundra provide other types of land habitats.

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          Water habitats may contain fresh water or salt water. Freshwater habitats include streams, rivers, swamps, marshes, ponds, and lakes. Saltwater habitats include oceans, seas, salt lakes, salt marshes, and saltwater swamps. Some animals and plants, such as fish and seaweed, live entirely in the water. Others, such as otters, live partly in and partly out of the water.

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Zoo Animal Habitats:

          Zoos and aquariums recreate exhibits and habitats that closely mirror the natural habitat of each animal. These wildlife exhibits and habitats feature climate control, waterfalls, lakes, rockwork, trees, and enrichment that help them live a healthy and fulfilling life. All zoo habitats balance the animal’s needs for food, shelter, safety, protection, enrichment, and temperature. Zoo habitats also balance the needs and safety of the zookeepers and zoo visitors.

 

Contest Rules and Regulations:

  • Each student will create a diorama (a scenic representation in which sculpted figures and lifelike details are displayed) showing their selected animal’s zoo habitat.

  •  To create the diorama project, a shoe box or other small box may be used as the space for the diorama. The box should not be bigger than an adult sized shoebox.

  • Animals will be provided by NALZS. Students may use plastic figures or mold items from clay to represent plants and objects in their projects. Materials such as magazines (for photos), silk or plastic plants, popsicle sticks, toothpicks, glue, construction paper, paint, markers, and other craft items may be used. Creativity is encouraged!

  • All Completed dioramas must be submitted during the NALZS event at Madison Library on September 17, 2022.

  • Students’ artwork must be original and be created by the student. To avoid copyright infringement, works thought to be copies will be disqualified, including any concept from the internet.

 

Judging:

Dioramas will be judged on:

  1. Creativity: How well does the work express the student’s individual creativity?

  2. Concept: How well does the work relate to the biodiversity theme? Could the animal live safely and happily in the habitat?

  3. Composition: Does the diorama fulfill all the designated habitat requirements? Do the habitats have food? Water? Shelter? Enrichment? Is this a realistic habitat?

  4. Craftsmanship: How well the work/concept was executed? Is the project neat and tidy? Are all the elements glued down correctly? Are the elements to scale with the size of the animal?

  5. Written Assignment: Is the worksheet legible and complete? Are the answers applicable for the chosen animal?

 

The dioramas will be judged for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places - 1st and 2nd place diorama winners will be displayed on October 1, 2022 at the NALZS Madison Street Festival Booth.

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Prizes:

Age Categories: (3rd & 4th grade judged together) (5th & 6th grade judged together)

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Prizes for each age category.

1st Place: $10 gift card and NALZS Swag Bag

2nd Place: NALZS Swag Bag

3rd Place: NALZS T-shirt (limited sizes available)

Contest Registration- Closed

August 27, 2022 & September 17, 2022

(must attend both dates to be part of the contest)

Madison Public Library

142 Plaza Blvd.

Madison, AL 35758

Grade level in school (or age equivalent, if homeschooled)

I, hereby grant and authorize North Alabama Zoological Society the right to take, edit, alter, copy, exhibit, publish, distribute and make use of any and all pictures or video taken of my child and my child's artwork to be used in and/or for any lawful promotional materials including, but not limited to, newsletters, flyers, posters, brochures, advertisements, fundraising letters, annual reports, press kits and submissions to journalists, websites, social networking sites and other print and digital communications, without payment or any other consideration. This authorization extends to all languages, media, formats and markets now known or later discovered. This authorization shall continue indefinitely, unless I otherwise revoke this authorization in writing. I waive the right to inspect or approve any finished product in which their likeness appears, including written or electronic copy. I waive any right to royalties or other compensation arising or related to the use of the photograph. 

Thanks for registering for this event. We will see you soon.

The registration for this activity is now closed.

Please check back again for more fun NALZS activities.

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