On December 3, students in Ms. Schmalacker’s AP Psychology class stepped out of the classroom and into the world of real-time research during an immersive field trip to the Bronx Zoo.

Throughout the day, students applied key psychological concepts to observe and analyze animal behavior. At the reptile exhibit, they collected data and examined how environmental factors influence behavioral patterns, gaining valuable experience in scientific observation.

A standout moment came during a special session where students interacted with live animals, including a chinchilla, allowing them to study learning, perception, and comparative psychology up close.

This unique experience offered the class an opportunity to connect their coursework with real-world application, deepening their understanding of the relationship between psychology and zoological science.