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education H reasuresidden G An ocelot is one of the most characteristic small jungle cats from the forests of Central America. The zoo has a male and female, "and we're hoping for more," said Director Jack Brown. ocelots were once commonly found in Texas, and are making a comeback. "We're trying to heighten awareness about just how important this cat is in the ecosystem." o wild this summer at the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo and get starry eyed at the Kika Silva Pla Planetarium. T A a female springbok (looking at the camera), and a male springbok interact. Springbok are African antelope. 80 HOME Living In the Heart of Florida Both located at Santa Fe College’s northwest campus, the planetarium and zoo are perfect for a short day trip or a day full of activities. The zoo has tours from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every day and the planetarium is open for visitors at various hours on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the summer. The teaching zoo is a not only available to the public, but it is a facility where students are able to learn the skills that are required to be an official zookeeper. Students who are training in the program are often tour guides at the zoo, according to director Jack Brown. They are able to informguests about current conservation issues and talk about all the animals that live there. “I always tell the students they came here because they have a passion for animals, but that’s only half the job,” said Brown. “Winning hearts for animals is the other half.” Brown has worked at the zoo for the past 36 years and said he has the coolest job in the world. There are 70 different species at the zoo and 200 animals, including primates, antelopes, otters, lemurs, parrots and turtles. There are also some new residents living there – four active squirrel monkeys. “The tree kangaroos are among our most popular animals,” Brown said. Only 14 or 15 zoos in the country have tree kangaroos he said. These animals are native to New Guinea and Australia and are considered endangered species. These fuzzy brown and yellow marsupials usually feed on fruit and leaves and are a ‘can’t-miss’ when visiting. If the summer heat is a deal breaker when planning a trip, the zoo has a perk. “We’re literally a forest with a fence around it,” Brown said. “It is usually 10 degrees cooler.” For an even cooler experience however, the Kika Silva PlaPlanetarium is a great option.With two state-of-the-art projectors, the audience can be transported back in time on Earth, to the surface of other planets, into the galaxy and to the corners of the universe. The planetarium seats up to 60 guests, and it can be reserved for educational trips and private parties.Visitors without reservations are also welcome. “We’re the only planetarium of our caliber within 100 miles,” said James Albury, planetarium coordinator. at Santa Fe College By Callie Polk | Photos courtesy of Santa Fe College The Goto Chronos optical-mechanical projector provides the most realistic view of the night sky available. The Chronos is capable of transporting audiences to any placeon Earth, or in time +/- 10,000 years, within seconds. This projector is the first of only two of its kind in Florida and one of 10 in the world. The second projector, the Spitz SciDome Digital Projection System, can transform the 34-foot dome into a giant computer screen that surrounds the audience with images, sound and video. This projector can simulate the surface of other planets, the depths of the ocean and the inside of the human body. Another fun way to experience the planetarium is by viewing the Music 360 show Saturdays at 9 p.m. The show choreographs simulations of star movements with music like Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon,” or other popular albums. “I’dlike to call it one of Gainesville’s best kept secrets,” said Albury, referring to the planetarium. To schedule a private show, visit the planetarium’s Web site and click the link that says “Visit Us,” for more information. For public shows, tickets are available 30 minutes prior on a first-come, first-serve basis. So bring the family, spend a day with a friend or go on a date for the day at the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo or the Kika Silva Pla Planetarium. For a day packed with activities, visit the zoo in the morning and then head over to the planetarium in the evening. Whether looking for a cheap day of fun, an educational opportunity or a private party venue, the zoo and the planetarium are right here in the heart of Gainesville waiting to be discovered. These local gems are fun and educational for the whole family and cheaper than most movie theaters these days. Community members get a chance to experience a day with exotic and local wildlife or learn about the universe for $5. Children under 13 and seniors 60 and older can enjoy the day for only $4. To learn more about the zoo, go online to http://www.sfcollege.edu/zoo. For the planetarium, visit http://www.sfcollege.edu/planetarium. LivingInTheHeartOfFlorida.com
Hidden Treasures At Santa Fe College
Callie Polk
Go wild this summer at the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo and get starry eyed at the Kika Silva Pla Planetarium.
Both located at Santa Fe College’s northwest campus, the Planetarium and zoo are perfect for a short day trip or a day full of activities. The zoo has tours from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every day and the planetarium is open for visitors at various hours on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the summer.
The teaching zoo is a not only available to the public, but it is a facility where students are able to learn the skills that are required to be an offi cial zookeeper. Students who are training in the program are often tour guides at the zoo, according to director Jack Brown. They are able to inform guests about current conservation issues and talk about all the animals that live there.
“I always tell the students they came here because they have a passion for animals, but that’s only half the job,” said Brown. “Winning hearts for animals is the other half.” Brown has worked at the zoo for the past 36 years and said he has the coolest job in the world. There are 70 different species at the zoo and 200 animals, including primates, antelopes, otters, lemurs, parrots and turtles.
There are also some new residents living there – four active squirrel monkeys.
“The tree kangaroos are among our most popular animals,” Brown said.
Only 14 or 15 zoos in the country have tree kangaroos he said. These animals are native to New Guinea and Australia and are considered endangered species. These fuzzy brown and yellow marsupials usually feed on fruit and leaves and are a ‘can’t-miss’ when visiting.
If the summer heat is a deal breaker when planning a trip, the zoo has a perk.
“We’re literally a forest with a fence around it,” Brown said. “It is usually 10 degrees cooler.” For an even cooler experience however, the Kika Silva Pla Planetarium is a great option. With two state-of-the-art projectors, the audience can be transported back in time on Earth, to the surface of other planets, into the galaxy and to the corners of the universe. The planetarium seats up to 60 guests, and it can be reserved for educational trips and private parties. Visitors without reservations are also welcome.
“We’re the only planetarium of our caliber within 100 miles,” said James Albury, planetarium coordinator.
The Goto Chronos optical-mechanical projector provides the most realistic view of the night sky available.
The Chronos is capable of transporting audiences to any place on Earth, or in time +/- 10,000 years, within seconds.
This projector is the fi rst of only two of its kind in Florida and one of 10 in the world.
The second projector, the Spitz SciDome Digital Projection System, can transform the 34-foot dome into a giant computer screen that surrounds the audience with images, sound and video. This projector can simulate the surface of other planets, the depths of the ocean and the inside of the human body.
Another fun way to experience the planetarium is by viewing the Music 360 show Saturdays at 9 p.m. The show choreographs simulations of star movements with music like Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon,” or other popular albums.
“I’d like to call it one of Gainesville’s best kept secrets,” said Albury, referring to the planetarium.
To schedule a private show, visit the planetarium’s Web site and click the link that says “Visit Us,” for more information. For public shows, tickets are available 30 minutes prior on a fi rst-come, fi rst-serve basis.
So bring the family, spend a day with a friend or go on a date for the day at the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo or the Kika Silva Pla Planetarium. For a day packed with activities, visit the zoo in the morning and then head over to the planetarium in the evening. Whether looking for a cheap day of fun, an educational opportunity or a private party venue, the zoo and the planetarium are right here in the heart of Gainesville waiting to be discovered.
These local gems are fun and educational for the whole family and cheaper than most movie theaters these days. Community members get a chance to experience a day with exotic and local wildlife or learn about the universe for $5. Children under 13 and seniors 60 and older can enjoy the day for only $4.
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