NWTC Service-Learning and Civic Engagement 2018-2019 | Page 18

ANIMALS
NEW ZOO EMU SHELTER
A win-win partnership for
students and animals.
A collaborative effort that brought
together architecture, electrical, and
carpentry students produced a much-
needed shelter upgrade for a few
feathery tenants of the NEW Zoo. The
emu exhibit building, a small wooden
shack near the zoo’s infamous Aldabra
turtles, had clearly exceeded its lifespan.
Neil Anderson, director of the NEW Zoo
and Adventure Park explained, “This
particular exhibit was built in the late
1980s, and of course the split-rail fence
and we have so many different shelters
we kind of put together over the years,
and we can’t wait to have a facelift here.”
It was this leading conversation that
connected the NEW Zoo’s team with
NWTC’s carpentry lab. The college’s trades
department routinely collaborates on
construction-related projects throughout
the community and has successfully
embedded service-learning into their
teaching and learning pedagogies.
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For the emu exhibit, Architectural
Technology students drafted the plans for
a much taller, wider, and sturdier shelter.
Construction Technology students built
the structure, and Electricity students
completed all necessary wiring. The
students donated the labor, and NWTC
also provided some materials. The zoo
covered the remaining costs associated,
the result not only saved the zoo a lot
of money, but it also created a priceless
experiential experience for the students.
“They used to build mock-up walls and
tear them down and try to reuse the
lumber, and you really didn’t have a pride
of ownership,” says NWTC instructor Jeff
Schlag. “I thought, there’s a lot of need out
in the community. It’ll be a win-win for both
the school and students and non-profits.”
The hands-on work prepares the students
for the workforce in ways they may not
realize. “I also have them problem solve.
I’ll throw a wrench into the problem,” says
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