Counter-factual creationist zoo awarded educational “Quality badge”
A kitemark devised to help teachers find suitable school trip destinations has been awarded to a Christian zoo accused of promoting creationism.
Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm in Wraxall, near Bristol, is among the latest organisations to receive the Learning Outside the Classroom “quality badge”, developed by the last Government.
The zoo already runs sessions for more than 15,000 pupils a year from key stage 1 to A-level.
But it has attracted controversy for its views on evolution and creation, arguing that science has tried to “remove any notion of God from our understanding of life”.
“This is unjustified and we look to put the case for a Creator across to those who wish to investigate,” the zoo’s website says.
It argues that while evolution has taken place, it cannot explain the origins of life. Elsewhere, the website challenges fossil evidence and quotes widely from the Bible.
The quality badge is designed to help teachers plan trips. Organisations have to demonstrate that they offer high-quality learning experiences and manage risk effectively.
James Gray, education officer at the British Humanist Association (BHA), criticised the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom (CLOtC), the educational charity that awards the badges, for its decision.
“It is entirely inappropriate that it should support an establishment that advances creationism and seeks to discredit a wide variety of established scientific facts that challenge their religious views,” said Mr Gray.
“Teachers and parents look to the council for assurance that children will experience high-quality educational visits that meet the relevant government guidelines. Awarding this zoo a quality badge risks exposing hundreds of children to anti-scientific dogma.”
Continues: http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6052399
The British Humanist Association has previously criticised the Noah’s Ark zoo for its Creationist material. The zoo was expelled from BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums) after it failed to cooperate on alleged links with a circus featuring tigers and was found to have buried a tiger’s carcas on its grounds, against regulations. The zoo has been cleared of related cruelty charges but the local council has imposed seven additional conditions on the zoo’s license to ensure that it complies with the Secretary of State’s Standards of Modern Zoo Practice (SSSMZP).
Gosh, how terrible it would be if children are actually exposed to Biblical quotes! What a dangerous book it is! And how awful it would be if they were exposed to beliefs different than mine! (Please note the sarcasm.) Sometimes people need to live and let live.
Allen Nyhuis, Coauthor: America’s Best Zoos
It is not a question of children being exposed to Biblical quotes. The bible itself is not a dangerous book. No book is in itself dangerous, the danger comes when it is used to try to influence impressionable youngsters. This zoo attempst to preseent creation, the great flood, Noah’s Ark and such like, as established fact.
Michael Gove has recently said that the new fre schools will not be allowed to teach creation as fact so it is strange that this government endorsed organisation should give an award to an establishment that teaches creation as fact.
The Council for Learning Outside the Classroom seems to concern itself with things like Health and Safety at establishments they endorse rather than what the establishment is offering in the way of education. I have written the council urging them to reconsider this award and I urge as many people as possible to write to them and let them know that this award is unacceptable.