On a cool spring morning, several yellow buses pull up in front of the Good Zoo in Wheeling, West Virginia.
Eager children press their faces against the windows.
When the doors swing open, each child emerges with a parent, grandparent, or another family member. All wear name tags with animal drawings on them. Teachers and zoo staff have been collaborating to make this informal science experience both fun and educational. Informal science is a term some educators use to describe science learning that takes place outside the classroom. Zoos, museums, and national parks are examples of informal science sites.