The Minnesota Zoo's School of Environmental Studies is an optional, interdisciplinary program open to juniors and seniors from four comprehensive high schools. The problems posed, like those in the world, require students to think across disciplines. Students measure, analyze, map, photograph, display, and present findings to the local community…

The relationship between community involvement and academic excellence is discussed. The hypothesis was that performance on the Scholastic Aptitude Test is best predicted by the extent to which students extend their education beyond the classroom to become involved in the businesses, organizations, and other institutions in the community. Senior…