Learn at the Zoo: Program Information
Check out the experiences held at Denver Zoo and learn how a free program can enhance your Zoo field trip!
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Conservation Learning Zone
“10 billion fun!” –Rose Hill Elementary student
Teachers, enhance your field trips with this NEW self-paced, drop-in, hands-on program designed to inspire collaboration, connection and conservation! Healthy habitats are important for both animals and people, especially in the spaces we share. Engaging with Zoo experts, your students will explore how they can help the birds, bugs, reptiles and amphibians in their very own neighborhoods.
GRADES
K–5DATES + TIMES
Available Tuesday–Friday in April and May 2024. Registered groups can drop in to the Conservation Learning Zone from 10:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.Registration timelines vary. Most programs close 7–14 days prior to the event date. Click the “Register Now” link to view our current availability.
COST
FREE! All 2024 Conservation Learning Zone programs are free to schools, made possible through generous donations to Denver Zoo’s Access to Awe Scholarship Fund.FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
To apply for financial assistance for transportation, click here.- Programming
While there is no fixed programming or time limit in the Conservation Learning Zone, estimated engagement is 30–45 minutes. Registration is required for access to the Zone and includes Zoo admission.
- Chaperones
All chaperones are admitted to the Conservation Learning Zone at no charge. All chaperones must enter the Zoo at the same time as their group. Late arrivals will be required to pay the full price of admission or use their Zoo memberships. Every school group visiting Denver Zoo must have at least one adult per 10 students, regardless of the students’ ages. Schools who do not bring at least one adult per 10 students will be charged the full price of admission.
- Reschedule + Cancellation
Space in our free programs is limited. In order to leave space for others in the school community, please attend the programs for which you register and let us know at least three weeks in advance of any change or cancellation. Moving to another date is contingent upon availability and may incur a nominal administrative fee.
To cancel or transfer a program, please contact guestcare@denverzoo.org.
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Secret Science Days
“Students were able to learn fun facts about animals’ habitats, behaviors and adaptations…the Zoo’s planning around habitats and how they mimic wildlife experiences for the animals…and even about wildlife care in the animal hospital!” —Teacher, Westminster Public Schools
Uncover the secret science behind the care we provide to Denver Zoo’s 2,500+ animal residents and for wildlife habitats around the world! Spark your students’ interest in science as you explore real-world animal care and conservation challenges in this special discovery day at Denver Zoo. Following a special Secret Science Day map, students will get an insider’s view of the Zoo—learning some of the unique ways our animal care specialists, veterinarians, nutritionists, trainers, habitat designers and conservationists meet the needs of our wild family, here and abroad.
Zoo staff and volunteers will help your students uncover the inner workings of Denver Zoo, encourage them to make observations at exhibits, discuss ideas with their peers and share what they’ve learned. The more they engage, the more they discover—including tips on where to see exciting demonstrations, interact with zoo experts and meet live animals up close!
GRADES
K–5DATES + TIMES
Secret Science Days are offered on a limited number of dates each school year.Thursday, March 14, 2024
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Wednesday, April 24, 2024Students explore at their own pace. Secret Science Day activities are available from 9:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Registration timelines vary. Most programs close 7–14 days prior to the event date. Click the “Register Now” link to view our current availability.
COST
FREE! All 2024 Secret Science Day programs are free to schools, made possible through generous donations to Denver Zoo’s Access to Awe Scholarship Fund.FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
To apply for financial assistance for transportation, click here.
We are grateful to our Secret Science Days sponsor, Delta Dental.
- Programming
Students explore at their own pace. Secret Science Day activities are available from 9:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Check-in occurs from 9:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m. Students may receive a small reward for participating by visiting our prize table from 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Registration is required to participate in Secret Science Day and includes Zoo admission.
- Chaperones
All chaperones are admitted for Secret Science Day at no charge. All chaperones must enter the Zoo at the same time as their group. Late arrivals will be required to pay the full price of admission or use their Zoo memberships. Every school group visiting Denver Zoo must have at least one adult per 10 students, regardless of the students’ ages. Schools who do not bring at least one adult per 10 students will be charged the full price of admission.
- Reschedule + Cancelation
Space in our free programs is limited. In order to leave space for others in the school community, please attend the programs for which you register and let us know at least three weeks in advance of any change or cancelation. Moving to another date is contingent upon availability and may incur a nominal administrative fee.
To cancel or transfer a program, please contact guestcare@denverzoo.org.
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Good Neighbors to Wildlife
“Program provided great content and background info for a project building nest boxes and a pollinator garden.” —Teacher, Embark Education
Grow your students into the next generation of local conservationists and empower learners to take ownership for the care of wildlife in YOUR community. Students will discover what local wildlife needs to survive, work with Zoo staff to learn helpful skills and make a plan they can implement to make an impact near your school.
Sign up for one or all of our programs:
Make a Space for Wildlife
Whether passing through or hanging out, urban wildlife needs a space in our communities to thrive! Students will explore different spaces that animals occupy based on their unique needs and take action by building a home for wildlife.
Make It Safe for Wildlife
Immerse your students in the journey of migration by navigating the helpful and hazardous situations that birds encounter. Learners evaluate the local environment and make a plan to help birds. Other approaches to learning about migration just won’t fly!
Make It Bloom for Wildlife
Explore the important relationship between native plants and animals and the actions humans can take to ensure a healthy habitat for wildlife. —it’s time to get to the root of conservation learning!
GRADES
6–8DATES + TIMES
Available Monday–Friday at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.Registration timelines vary. Most programs close 7–14 days prior to the event date. Click the “Register Now” link to view our current availability.
COST
FREE! All 2024 Good Neighbors to Wildlife programs are free to schools, made possible through generous donations to Denver Zoo’s Access to Awe Scholarship Fund.FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
To apply for financial assistance for transportation, click here
- Programming
Each class can accommodate a maximum of 30 students. Make a Space and Make It Bloom are 45 minutes, while Make It Safe is 75 minutes. Activities vary based on program choice but include an animal demonstration and conservation learning that will lead to action at their school or in their neighborhood.
Please contact us at dzeducation@denverzoo.org for further questions, including the ability to accommodate for upper elementary grades.
- Chaperones
All chaperones are admitted for Good Neighbors for Wildlife at no charge. All chaperones must enter the Zoo at the same time as their group. Late arrivals will be required to pay the full price of admission or use their Zoo memberships. Every school group visiting Denver Zoo must have at least one adult per 10 students, regardless of the students’ ages. Schools who do not bring at least one adult per 10 students will be charged the full price of admission. Please note, due to space and capacity, we may limit large groups to no more than five chaperones attending the program. Other adults can rejoin the group after the program.
- Reschedule + Cancellation
Space in our free programs is limited. In order to leave space for others in the school community, please attend the programs for which you register and let us know at least three weeks in advance of any change or cancellation. Moving to another date is contingent upon availability and may incur a nominal administrative fee.
To cancel or transfer a program, please contact guestcare@denverzoo.org.
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Conservation Challenge: Rethink Your Rubbish
Centered on sustainability concepts, this project-based learning unit helps students explore human impacts on wildlife around the globe and how their actions can make a difference. This unit includes an educator guide, a project launch field trip to the Zoo, an action-centered outreach program and an invitation to the end-of-year student showcase.
Session 1—Zoo Field Trip Launch: Students explore the Zoo at their own pace and interact with representatives from the Zoo’s Conservation Engagement & Learning and Sustainability teams to learn how waste can impact wildlife around the globe.
Session 2—School Visit: Zoo staff help students perform a waste audit at your school to identify challenges that impact local wildlife—then identify the solution most likely to have a positive impact and work to implement it within your school community.
Session 3 (Optional)—Student Showcase at Denver Zoo: Students are invited back to the Zoo in May for the Conservation Learning Showcase, where they can share with the community how they positively impacted their school’s sustainability efforts through implementation of their solution.
GRADES
6–8DATES + TIMES
2024 Zoo Field Trip Launch Dates (choose one):This program is no longer accepting registrations. Please check back soon for our fall Rethink your Rubbish Dates!
COST
FREE! All 2024 Conservation Challenge: Rethink Your Rubbish programs are free to schools, made possible through generous donations to Denver Zoo’s Access to Awe Scholarship Fund.FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
To apply for financial assistance for transportation, click here.
- Programming
Session 1 is an active, self-paced field trip exploring facilitated stations around the Zoo. Other schools may be exploring on your same launch date and capacities allow for multiple classrooms to attend on the same date.
Session 2 at your school is a facilitated program led by a Denver Zoo Conservation Learning staff member and will be scheduled to accommodate one classroom of up to 30 students at a time. This program can run between 45 and 60 minutes, depending on your bell schedule. Opportunities to engage multiple classrooms are available.
Session 3 is an opportunity for your class or student representatives from your school to return to the Zoo and present their impact to the public at our Student Conservation Showcase. Students may rotate through the presentation booth and explore the rest of the Showcase and Zoo with chaperones on a self-guided field trip.
Please contact us at dzeducation@denverzoo.org for further questions, including the ability to accommodate for upper elementary grades.
- Chaperones
For at-Zoo programming, all chaperones are admitted for Conservation Challenge: Rethink Your Rubbish at no charge. All chaperones must enter the Zoo at the same time as their group. Late arrivals will be required to pay the full price of admission or use their Zoo memberships. Every school group visiting Denver Zoo must have at least one adult per 10 students, regardless of the students’ ages. Schools who do not bring at least one adult per 10 students will be charged the full price of admission. Please note, due to space and capacity, we may limit large groups to no more than five chaperones attending the program. Other adults can rejoin the group after the program.
For at-school programming, an adult representative of the school must be present during the entirety of the program.
- Reschedule + Cancellation
Space in free programs is limited. In order to leave space for others in the school community, please attend the programs for which you register and let us know at least three weeks in advance of any change or cancellation. Moving to another date is contingent upon availability and may incur a nominal administrative fee.
To cancel or transfer a program, please contact guestcare@denverzoo.org.
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Self-Guided Field Trips
Denver Zoo is thrilled to offer self-guided field trips for eligible schools and groups! To provide the best experience for all, reservations (and associated bus parking spots) are limited. Reservations are first-come, first-served and book up quickly.
DATES + TIMES
Summer 2024
Coming soon!COST
$18ELIGIBILITY
To qualify for free or discounted entry, you must be (1) an accredited institution, (2) following an academic curriculum, and (3) be accompanied by a teacher or institutional staff.HOW TO RESERVE:
Click the “Register Now” button below to be taken to our reservation page.Select the date you’d like to visit. All available dates are shown—no exceptions.
Select the number of guests, including students, school staff members and chaperones.
Provide your school’s information and your contact information so we can get in touch with you about your visit. We also ask that you include the number of buses you’ll be using so we can plan accordingly. Please note that parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis in the East Lot and is not guaranteed.
Once your reservation is processed, you’ll receive an order confirmation email. You’ll also receive more information about your day at the Zoo one week and one day before your visit, so keep an eye out for useful planning tips!
Charter bus rentals for school field trips are available through a variety of providers, including CharterUP, Shofur, and GOGO Charters.
- Chaperones
- Chaperones must be 21 years of age or older.
- Chaperones must stay with their assigned group at all times.
- One adult per 10 students is REQUIRED for all groups (ECE through Grade 12).
- Adults bringing younger siblings are welcome but may NOT be counted as chaperones.
- Members Welcome!
Members wishing to chaperone a school field trip can also make a separate reservation using their membership if they’d like.
- Reschedule + Cancellation
To cancel or reschedule, please contact guestcare@denverzoo.org at least three weeks prior to your scheduled visit.
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Custom Programs + Extended Immersion Experiences
Denver Zoo’s School and Teacher Partnerships team is excited to learn about what experiences might best connect your students to making a positive impact for wildlife. We implement design thinking programs and customized immersion experiences on a limited scope each school year.
Reach out to dzeducation@denverzoo.org to learn more.
