Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium’s education department received a 2016-2017 Pinnacle Award from the Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration (CILC) for its digital learning program.

The Pinnacle Award is given annually, by the CILC, to organizations across the country that receive outstanding scores on program evaluations submitted by educators and other end users. According to the CILC, receiving the award indicates remarkable quality of educational content and exceptional skill at program delivery. The Pinnacle Award is the highest honor given by the CILC.

“This is such a big honor for our education staff. We are very proud of the work they do and the programs they offer,” said Dr. Elizabeth Mulkerrin, director of education at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, “Through our digital learning program, we are able to bring people to Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium from places that would otherwise be impossible. Receiving a Pinnacle Award from CILC means that our audiences feel they are gaining valuable knowledge and interactions from our programs.”

In 2017 the program reached 13 different states, 4,844 students and groups as far as Mexico City and British Columbia, Canada. Omaha’s Zoo and Aquarium’s digital learning program offers virtual field trips of some of its most popular exhibits, including the Lied Jungle, Desert Dome and Suzanne and Walter Scott Aquarium. Programs are offered for grades Pre-K through high school. This is Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium’s first year as a member of the CILC.

The CILC specializes in the access to applications and the utilization of videoconferencing for live interactive content and professional development, as well as web-based collaborative learning environments for lifelong learning.

To learn more:  www.cilc.org