Spotlight on a Sanctuary Biologist Chloé, B.Sc., M.Ed.

What does a biologist do in an animal sanctuary? What role does a biologist play in animal education? How can animals help spark an interest in natural sciences among young people?

Behind every educational presentation, classroom activity, and animal encounter lies a tremendous amount of preparation. At Éducazoo, several biologists help make science more accessible to young learners, but some career paths stand out in a unique way.

In this blog article, our biologist Roxanne Brunelle introduces Chloé, a biologist and teacher who has spent more than 14 years helping advance Éducazoo’s educational mission among schools, teachers, and the general public. You will discover how her expertise in biology and education has helped create turnkey educational programs supported by practical tools that assist teachers in exploring topics such as biodiversity, animal adaptations, and natural sciences. These programs are designed to be simple, interactive, and adapted to the realities of today’s classrooms.

 

A Biologist Who Speaks the Language of Teachers

When people think of a biologist, they often imagine someone studying animals, conducting field research, or analyzing scientific data. In a sanctuary setting, however, the role of a biologist extends far beyond that.

Chloé has a background that bridges two worlds. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Biology as well as both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Education. This unique combination allows her not only to understand scientific concepts but also to find the most effective ways to share them with young learners.

For more than 14 years, she has been part of the Éducazoo family. Even when she is not working with us full-time, she remains actively involved in educational, scientific, and pedagogical projects.

 

The Person Behind the Species Information Sheets

Whenever a Naturalist presents an animal during an educational activity, they must be prepared to answer countless questions. Why don’t snakes have legs? How does a turtle breathe? Why do parrots live so long? What country does the chinchilla come from?

To ensure the accuracy of the information shared, Chloé helped create and update the species information sheets used by our Naturalists. These documents compile information about taxonomy, ecology, adaptations, natural habitats, and animal behavior for the various species presented.

Although this work often takes place behind the scenes, it plays an essential role in maintaining the quality of the educational experiences offered to schools and the public.

 

A Transition Year Filled with Projects

Following her maternity leave, Chloé was originally scheduled to return to teaching science. Since her return would have occurred midway through the school year, she decided to extend her leave. Around that same time, an opportunity arose at Éducazoo: replacing Catherine, our Director of Sales, who had also begun maternity leave.

Chloé accepted the challenge of serving as Interim Director. While taking on these new administrative responsibilities, she continued using her educational expertise to support the sanctuary’s mission.

 

Educational Resources Designed for Schools

One of the largest projects Chloé led during this period was the development of educational tools specifically designed for teachers.

Working alongside several of the sanctuary’s biologists, she coordinated the creation of preparatory classroom activities linked to Éducazoo’s various educational themes. These resources allow teachers to introduce key concepts before a Naturalist and the animals visit the classroom.

The goal is to prepare students, spark their curiosity, and provide foundational knowledge that helps them better understand the topics explored during the activity.

 

Learning Continues After the Animals Leave

Learning does not stop when an educational presentation ends. For this reason, Chloé also supervised the development of several post-activity quizzes for students. These tools help review concepts discussed with the Naturalist and reinforce classroom learning.

For example, in the animal locomotion theme, students answer questions such as: Why do animals need to move? Why do some species walk while others swim or fly? Why are some birds unable to fly? These questions encourage students to think critically about animal adaptations and their environments. This approach promotes long-term retention, critical thinking, and deeper understanding.

 

Making Science Easier to Understand

Chloé also contributed to improving the visual components of Éducazoo’s educational programs. Some scientific concepts can be difficult for students to imagine when explained only verbally. Topics such as species adaptations, evolution, and ecological relationships often become much easier to understand when visual supports are included.

To make these concepts more accessible, she helped integrate visual presentations featuring photographs, illustrations, and diagrams that support learning and understanding.

These improvements benefit both teachers and students by providing additional visual references throughout educational presentations.

 

Supporting Teachers Every Day

These resources address a reality that is well known in the education sector.

At the elementary level, teachers must cover many different subjects throughout the day. They cannot be specialists in every discipline. The resources developed by Chloé allow them to teach science with greater confidence while saving valuable preparation time.

At the secondary level, the challenges are different. Teachers generally have strong expertise in their subject area but often need engaging ways to maintain student interest in science.

Animals become powerful ambassadors in this context. An encounter with a reptile, bird, or mammal can transform abstract concepts into meaningful, memorable experiences.

 

A Contribution That Will Continue Making a Difference

Chloé’s journey demonstrates how collaboration between biologists and educators can enrich science education.

Thanks to her expertise, thousands of students have benefited from educational resources better adapted to their needs. The preparatory activities, quizzes, species information sheets, and visual supports she helped develop will continue supporting teachers for years to come.

At Éducazoo, we are fortunate to have benefited from her dedication, professionalism, and passion for education.

 

Thank You, Chloé

For more than 14 years, Chloé has helped advance Éducazoo’s educational mission with professionalism and dedication. Through her work as a biologist, her experience as a teacher, and her contributions to educational resource development, she has helped thousands of young people discover the animal world from a new perspective.

And when the goal is to inspire the next generation of scientists, teachers, and animal enthusiasts, that kind of impact truly makes a difference.