OUTREACH AND AT THE ZOO CLASSES
Inquiry-based classes that include the use of live animals, biofacts (such as skins and bones), and activities!
Where: At the Zoo
Who: Up to 30 participants
When: Mon-Fri, September-April
(Creature Features are available in
May)
10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon (max of three classes per day)
Cost: $7/student; Smaller groups will be charged for a minimum of 15 students
Where: At Your Facility
Who: Up to 30 participants
When: Dates and start times vary, offered year round
Cost: $150/first class, $100 for each additional consecutive class.
Things to Know:
- Bilingual programs may be available upon request.
- Please register at least two weeks in advance (requested dates are guaranteed upon confirmation by Denver Zoo).
- Outreach Only - Class room policies
- Outreach Only - Travel fees apply outside of SCFD.
- Outreach Only - Layover fees apply to breaks exceeding 60 minutes between classes.
- Scholarships are available through Denver Zoo's Red Apple Fund.
- For more information call 720-337-1488; or email outreach@denverzoo.org for questions about bringing the zoo to you, and registration@denverzoo.org for programs at the zoo.
- Cancellation of Programs:
Classes and programs canceled or rescheduled with less than two weeks notice before the scheduled program will be charged 50% of the total cost. Red Apple Scholarship awards will not apply to cancellation fees.
CLASSES OFFERED:
Animal Senses (Ages 3 - Grade K)
Science K-2: 1.1, 3.1, 3.5
- With imaginative and interactive activities as well as live animals and biofacts, discover how the five senses help animals to survive and meet their needs.
- Compare human senses to those of animals.
Do You See What I See (Ages 3 - Grade K)
Science K-2: 1.1, 3.1
Other Standards: Physical Education 1
- Investigate the patterns, colors and shapes in nature and how animals use them to survive.
- Play fun-filled games that encourage motor development and balance.
Movin’ & Groovin (Ages 3 - Grade K)
Science K-2: 1.1, 3.1
Other Standards: Physical Education 1
- Learn how and why animals move in different ways through role-playing exercises.
- Meet and touch live small animals that walk, crawl, slither, and hop.
- Listen to an ed-zoo-cational story about how animals interact with their habitats.
All in the Animal Family (K-1)
Science K-2: 1.1, 3.1, 3.2
- Learn about a diversity of animal families, from large family groups to animals that are on their own from the day they are born.
- Using interactive and imaginative activities as well as live animals, explore how animals have adapted to care for their babies under different circumstances.
Habitats Around the World (Grades 1-2)
Science K-2: 1.1, 3.1, 3.5
- Discover that all organisms need the same components of a habitat in order to survive: food, water, shelter and space.
- With the use of live animals, photos, and biofacts, learn how animals meet these basic needs in a variety of habitats from around the world.
Animal Discovery (Grades 1-3)
Science K-2: 1.1, 3.1, 3.4
Science 3-5: 3.8
- Discover the distinction between vertebrate and invertebrate animals by observing and interacting with live animals and biofacts.
- Learn the defining characteristics of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish.
Learning About Lifecycles (Grades 1-3)
Science K-2: 1.1, 3.1, 3.2, 3.4
Science 3-5: 3.1, 3.5, 3.8
- Learn about and characterize the life cycles of a variety of animals, including insects, birds and amphibians.
- Explore stations with a variety of animal specimens to investigate and gather information.
African Safari (Grades 1-4)
Science K-2: 1.1, 3.1, 3.5
Science 3-5: 3.1, 3.2, 3.4
Other Standards: Geography 1.2, 2.2
- Migrate through Africa, from the Serengeti plains to the Congo rainforest basin, learning about a variety of biomes along the way.
- Meet a diversity of African animals up close, and explore one of Africa’s unique cultures.
Remarkable Reptiles (Grades 2-5)
Science K-2: 1.1, 3.1, 3.5
Science 3-5: 3.1, 3.5, 3.8
- Explore the reptilian science of live snakes, lizards, turtles and crocodilians.
- Participate in a variety of exciting activities as we venture through the scaly world of reptiles.
Amazing Adaptations (Grades 3-5)
Science 3-5: 3.1, 3.8
- By meeting live animals and turning a classmate into an adaptive animal, learn how adaptations help animals survive in the wild.
- Explore the difference between physical and behavioral adaptations.
- Work in teams at interactive stations to further investigate animal adaptations.
Colorado Alive (Grades 3-5)
Science 3-5: 3.1, 3.2, 3.4
Other Standards: Geography 2.2, 3.2
- Meet Colorado wildlife and perform hands-on investigations with horns, antlers, skulls, skins and more.
- Explore the interactions of living and nonliving components in Colorado’s environments.
- Discover the importance of adaptations for life in Colorado’s plains, mountains, and cities.
Rainforest Discovery (Grades 3-6)
Science 3-5: 3.1, 3.2, 3.4, 4.3, 4.8
Science 6-8: 3.8
Other Standards: Geography 1.2, 5.3
- Venture to the tropical rainforests to learn how the characteristics of jungle plants and animals help them to survive in the forest’s layers.
- Measure the amount of rain that falls in a tropical forest while defining the region’s exceptional characteristics.
- Discuss the preservation of the rainforest’s precious natural resources and meet live animal visitors from this misty realm.
Raptors Revealed (Grades 3-6)
Science 3-5: 1.2, 3.1, 3.4
Science 6-8: 1.2, 1.3, 3.1, 3.8
- Dissect owl pellets in a hands-on lab to scientifically explore raptor diets.
- Meet an incredible live bird of prey.
- Discover the adaptive tools raptors have to be successful predators in their environment.
Web of Life (Grades 3-6)
Science 3-5: 3.1, 3.2, 3.4, 4.8
Science 6-8: 3.8, 3.11
- Where does all energy come from on earth, and how is it passed down through the web of life? Explore terms such as producer, consumer, decomposer, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, and scavenger in a food pyramid activity.
- Learn about predator and prey adaptations through biofact exploration and live animal encounters.
- Become part of a rainforest food chain, understand how energy is passed, and learn how living things are connected through food webs.
Endangered! (Grades 4-8)
Science 3-5: 3.1, 3.4
Science 6-8: 1.3, 3.11, 5.5
- Understand the concepts of endangered species and the terms endangered, threatened and extinct.
- Through activities and live animal encounters, understand why some animals are in danger of extinction.
- Use inquiry skills in an investigation to decide which animals are most important to save in a race to protect biodiversity.
Skullology (Grades 5-8)
Science 3-5: 1.2, 3.1, 3.8
Science 6-8: 1.2, 1.3, 3.1
- Understand how scientists use inquiry skills to identify consumer categories (herbivore, carnivore, insectivore, omnivore) based on dentition.
- Identify and compare the structures of various skulls to determine their functions for individual species.
- Using the scientific method, observe skulls, collect data, and use dichotomous keys to identify a variety of animals based on their skulls.
Wildlife Science 101 (Grades 5-8)
Science 3-5: 3.4
Science 6-8: 1.3, 3.11, 5.5
- Gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology like radio telemetry to track animals in the wild.
- Understand the role of science in conservation while meeting live animals.
- Investigate career paths in the life sciences through interaction with zoo professionals.
Colorado Vivo (Grades 5-12)
Foreign Language 5-8: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3
Foreign Language 9-12: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3
- Learn how to identify and describe Colorado animals and ecosystems in Español (vocabulary may also be related to numbers, colors and weather).
- Comprehend cognates and vocabulary through live animal demonstrations, an interactive PowerPoint presentation, touchable biofacts and worksheets .
- Practice speaking Spanish by means of repetition (for early learners) and/or conversation (for advanced learners).
- Collaborate with Zoo educators to accommodate all levels of Spanish language learning.
Explorando la Selva Tropical (Grades 5-12)
Foreign Language 5-8: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3
Foreign Language 9-12: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3
- Learn how to identify and describe rainforest animals and layers in Español (vocabulary may also be related to numbers, colors, geography and weather).
- Comprehend cognates and vocabulary through live animal demonstrations, an interactive PowerPoint presentation, touchable biofacts and worksheets .
- Practice speaking Spanish by means of repetition (for early learners) and/or conversation (for advanced learners).
- Collaborate with Zoo educators to accommodate all levels of Spanish language learning.
Workin’ on the Wild Side (Grades 6-12)
- A career based, enriching experience for your future graduates!
- Explore different Zoo careers; including Husbandry, Veterinary, Nutrition, Conservation and Exhibit Design
- Discover different tools needed to be successful at Zoo positions.
Custom Programs (Grades pre-K-12)
Don't see a class that meets your need? We will work with you to create an amazing class suitable for your group, interests, or curriculum. Contact Denver Zoo at 720-337-1488 for more details on customized classes and registration. Cost varies.
 Animal Stars of Africa (Grades 5-12)
Wonder about the animals that inspired the choreography and costuming of the Lion King? Learn more about Denver Zoo’s own cast of characters as we highlight their natural form and movement. Join us for a guided tour and live animal demonstration that will celebrate the circle of life, from lions and hyenas to warthogs and hornbills!
Animals in Art (Grades 1-12, and Adults)
Science K-2: 3.1
Science 3-5: 3.1
Visual Arts 2, 3
- The zoo will bring two live animals to use as models for visual art projects.
- Learn fun facts about animals as Zoo instructors link science and art concepts.
- Teachers must provide art instruction and art supplies.
Download a Scholarship form for programs at the Zoo |
