Welcome Homeschool Families
The Minnesota Zoo offers a variety of programs for homeschool students and families to enrich your teaching year. Click below to learn all we have to offer.
Homeschool Academy: Winter Session - Tropical Rainforests
Homeschool Academy: Winter Session – Tropical Rainforests
Warm up this winter in the rainforests! This hands-on, inquiry based six-week program will explore this important ecosystem, rich in biodiversity, with the Tropics Trail as part of our classroom. We will define the components of the environment, test survival strategies, discuss unique partnerships, and understand the human connections-both the good and the bad. The animals, fun activities and tours will have your students looking forward to each session. Registration opens Dec. 1, 2019.
Each week can be an independent lesson but all 6 weeks make a complete program. We encourage parents to drop off students. Pre-registration and pre-payment required.
WHEN: Mondays, January 27 – March 9, 2020 (no class February 17) – (6 sessions)
TIME: 10:00am -12:00pm
WHERE: MN Zoo, Apple Valley, MN
WHO: Homeschool students ages 9-12
SINGLE SESSION COST: $25 ($20 MN Zoo Members)
PACKAGE DISOUNT COST: $129 ($99 MN Zoo members) Register for all six sessions for the same student in a single order and receive $3.50 off each session. Please select continue shopping to add sessions, discount will be applied on the checkout page.
Inquiries to [email protected] or 952-431-9218
How to Register
January 27, 2020 Tropical Rainforests – Introducing Rainforests
Come explore the rainforest biome! We will map it, define its components, and discover its biodiversity.
February 3, 2020 Tropical Rainforests – Survival Strategies-Plants
Living in a rainforest presents many challenges, including high temperatures, large amounts of rain and nutrient-poor soils. We will test a few theories to determine some great strategies to overcome these challenges.
February 10, 2020 Tropical Rainforests – Survival Strategies-Animals
Living in a rainforest presents many challenges including where to live and hide. We will test a few theories to determine some great strategies to overcome these challenges.
February 24, 2020 Tropical Rainforests – Complex Web of Partnerships
With such a large and diverse population of living organisms in the same location, a division of labor is essential as well developing partnerships.
March 2, 2020 Tropical Rainforests – Minnesota Connection
The rainforest is miles from our home but is closer than you think. Between the incredible journeys of migrating animals and a variety of rainforest-sourced foods and medicines, we are very connected.
March 9, 2020 Tropical Rainforests – Conservation
Humans have a direct impact on the survival or demise of the rainforest. We will explore some of the conservation issues as well as some possible solutions.
Weekday Field Trip
Family Programs
Homeschool Day, Wednesday, October 9, 2019
Homeschool Day
This year’s event will have a math, science and technology focus; Engineering for Animals, Engineering from Animals, and Engineering by Animals. Activity stations for all grade levels will be hosted by the Zoo’s naturalist staff though out the day.
Time: Zoo opens at 9:00 a.m. Education stations open from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Cost:
| PARTICIPANTS | NON MEMBERS | MEMBERS |
| preK-5th grade students | $9.00 | $3.00 |
| 6-12th grade students | $11.00 | $3.00 |
| Adult | 1 free / family | Free |
| Additional Adults | $12.00 | |
| Children 2 years and under | Free | Free |
| Vehicle parking | $7.00 | Free |
You will receive an email confirmation following booking. If purchasing a membership you might want to purchase on-line in advance at www.mnzoo.org.
How to Register
Reservations for Homeschool Day accepted until 1:00 pm on October 8, 2019.
Register Online
To register online for Homeschool Day, click the button above to begin. The first page will take you to a log in page where you will need to create an account or sign in to an existing account, payment will be taken at time of registration.
Lunch:
Families are welcome to purchase lunch at the Call of the Wild food court or bring your lunch and eat at any of the indoor or outdoor picnic areas. There are school lunch storage shelves located by the school lunch tables at the Tropics Trail plaza for use on this day.