The Minnesota Zoological Garden will initiate a twelve-week, commuter Young Scholars project in behavioral research and conservation biology for 10 students entering grades 11,12. Students will attend classes focusing on animal behavior, conservation biology, zoo biology and research methodology. Each student develops and executes an independent research study with guidance from program senior staff and individual zoo staff mentors. Students present their study findings through oral slide presentations to family, teachers, and zoo staff and also prepare research papers published in the Zooschool Journal.