The North Carolina Zoological Society today announced that Research Triangle Park-based GlaxoSmithKline has awarded a $10,000 grant to support an innovative conservation education program for North Carolina schools.

The program, called "Keepers in the Classroom," sends N.C. Zoo zookeepers into schools to explore environmental issues with students and provides grants of up to $500 for classroom conservation projects.

"GlaxoSmithKline has been a generous community partner for 10 years," said Russ Williams, N.C. Zoo Society executive director. "Through programs like 'Keepers in the Classroom' the company continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to educating and inspiring the next generation of conservation-minded North Carolinians."

During "Keepers in the Classroom" presentations, zookeepers present lessons that link the zoo's extensive plant and animal collections to worldwide conservation issues to help students understand how environmental stewardship or harm impacts the students' lives. Each presentation focuses on specific teacher-driven learning outcomes which correspond to the N.C. mandated course of study.

Even more, "Keepers in the Classroom" educates and inspires students to become involved in conservation and encourages students to commit to environmentally friendly classroom projects.

Examples of projects include planting a garden or constructing bird sanctuaries to improve the environment, or creating educational activities for such special occasions as Earth Day.

The "Keepers in the Classroom" program is open to all North Carolina schools. For more information about the program, or to apply to participate, visit the N.C. Zoo's website, www.nczoo.org, or call the Zoo Education Division at 336-879-7714.

The North Carolina Zoological Society is the private, non-profit support organization for the North Carolina Zoo. The zoo is an agency of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, William G. Ross Jr., Secretary; Michael F. Easley, Governor.