Animal Science Disney's Animals, Science and Environment

Dive into the fascinating world of animal science with Dr. Mandy Schook and Dr. Julianna Kadar. Join us as our experts share their extensive knowledge and captivating experiences from their groundbreaking research around the world. Learn about animal behavior, ecology, and conservation efforts, and discover how to bring these exciting topics into your classroom to inspire and engage your students. This session will provide practical teaching strategies, innovative lesson ideas, and real-world examples to help you create a dynamic and immersive learning environment centered around the wonders of animal science.

Dr. Julianna Kadar Disney, Epcot's The Seas with Nemo and Friends, Science Operations Manager

Dr. Julianna has always been drawn to the marine world and its diversity of life. She grew up in coastal southern California and spent the last ten years in the beautiful harbor city of Sydney, Australia. As an undergraduate, Julianna attended Boston University before moving to Macquarie University in Sydney to complete a Masters in Biodiversity Conservation. During this time, she worked on the physiology of Australian sea lions. Afterwards she continued her education to complete a Master of Research on modelling behaviors in benthic shark species using sensor tag technology. This led to her Ph.D. at Macquarie University focusing further on using biologging technologies to develop tools to understand the welfare of sharks in aquariums as well as movements and behaviors of their wild counterparts. Dr. Julianna was the field research lead for The Fish Lab in Jervis Bay, Australia completing extended trips to the field that employed cutting edge techniques to study fishes, rays and sharks. She was the lead researcher facilitating the introduction of wild Port Jackson sharks to Taronga Zoo with Taronga Conservation Society from 2016. Following this, Julianna worked to apply this knowledge to Sea World Gold Coast’s Fish and Elasmobranch Welfare Action Research Project. She also recently worked with RSPCA Australia to improve the welfare standards for farmed Atlantic salmon.

Dr. Mandi Wilder Schook Disney's Animals, Science and Environment. Science Operations Director. 

Dr. Mandi Wilder Schook serves as the Science Operations Director of Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment, leading our team of talented scientists who focus on science-based approaches to monitoring and managing animal wellbeing, behavior and population health.  A Florida native, she received her bachelor’s degree in biology from Rollins College in Winter Park, FL and her PhD in Veterinary Science at the University of Kentucky, studying obesity, immunology and reproduction in horses. She has held several service roles in AZA, including with the Animal Population Management, Research and Technology, and Government Affairs Committees and the Reproduction and Endocrinology and Ambassador Animal Scientific Advisory Groups. She is also an instructor for the AZA professional development course Animal Welfare – Evidence Based Management.  She is a former Chair of the non-profit International Society of Wildlife Endocrinology and currently serves on the board of the International Rhino Foundation.

Notes and Resources:

You can find all the links and resources from the day here: https://www.thepocketlab.com/blog/links-and-resources-from-scic14-featuring-disney-imagination-campus

Links and resources from this session:

🌟 Tons of free resources from Nat Geo Kids: http://natgeokids.com

🌟 Nat Geo Kids Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/nationalgeographickids 

🌟 Everything about animals in the Walt Disney Company https://www.disneyanimals.com 

Here are some collected resources that may be helpful to share with the teachers who are watching today-

🌟All of the movies with Teacher Packets on this site can be watched on Disney+

https://impact.disney.com/environmental-sustainability/stories-experiences/

🌟35 activity packets for families that teachers can use and adapt

https://books.disney.com/educator-teacher-guides/

🌟All of the movies with Teacher Packets on this site can be watched on Disney+

https://impact.disney.com/environmental-sustainability/stories-experiences/

🌟35 activity packets for families that teachers can use and adapt

https://books.disney.com/educator-teacher-guides/

🌟Disney Animals for educators to learn more about the animals we care for at DAK and Epcot.

Disney Animals: Discover the Wonders of Nature | Walt Disney World Resort (go.com)

🌟Disney Nature Educator Guides

Educator's Guides | Disneynature

🌟Dory Scavenger Hunt book – link to a digital copy on the Seas with Nemo and Friends Disney.go.com page

The Seas with Nemo & Friends | Epcot Attractions | Walt Disney World Resort (go.com)