In Person Classes and Programs for
Field Trips

Enhance your field trip with a Zoo class or custom program! Led by a Zoo naturalist, these interactive and hands-on experiences not only engage students in learning but are also designed to support state science standards.

In Person Zoo Classes

All in-person classes are 45-minutes long and are offered at 9:30 am, 10:30 am, and 11:30 am Tuesday through Friday. Classes are available from September 19, 2022 through May 12, 2023. These classes can be added to your Minnesota Zoo field trip for an additional $100 per class (up to 30 students). Please check the Minnesota Zoo’s website for current COVID-19 protocols for in-person programs. Classes include:

Once Upon a Tide Pool (grades K-2)

Discover a watery world close to shore. This animated class focuses on the characters who live and depend on each other in a tide pool habitat. Be a part of the story, meet the main character, then you will be ready to explore our tide pool exhibit at the Zoo.

Penguineering (grades K-2)

Come along with us to learn about penguins and their fascinating adaptations and behaviors that allow them to survive in their unique environments! Students will then be challenged to think like a penguin to engineer the perfect nest that can protect a growing egg from a variety of environmental threats!

Biomimicry (two versions: grades K-2 or 3-5)

Animals and plants have many amazing physical and behavioral adaptations that allow them to survive and solve problems in the wild. See how engineers are now turning to nature to learn how to solve common human problems through the process of biomimicry. Students will act as biomimicry engineers while investigating seed dispersal and animal wind travel methods to solve an engineering challenge!

Animal Enrichment (two versions: grades 3-5 or 6-12)

Have you ever seen an animal the Zoo playing with an object? Discover how animals stay busy, active, healthy, and curious at the Zoo through enrichment! Observe and analyze a variety of real animal enrichments while exploring the many considerations Zookeepers must think about to help encourage animals to use their natural behaviors and adaptations each day!

Zoo Exhibit Design (two versions: grades 3-5 or 6-12)

Have you ever wondered what it takes to design an exhibit at the zoo? In this interactive class, students will learn about animal needs and identify the components that make a successful Zoo exhibit. See animal exhibits in a whole new way and learn about zoos’ unique roles in conservation!

Animal Behavior (grades 6-12)

Celebrate the science behind helping wildlife thrive! Science is used every day in a zoo to observe our animals’ behaviors, set goals, and assess progress! Join us to learn how animal observation data is collected to both care for and learn more about the variety of animals that live at the Zoo!

In Person Custom Programs

STEM Lab (grades 3-12)

Immerse students in the world of STEM at the zoo in this customized full or multi-day residency. Guided by a zoo naturalist, students will be led through hands on inquiry-based activities. STEM lab experiences and content can be custom built with the teacher to support student learning goals in the classroom through topics such as animal adaptations, exhibit and enrichment engineering design, conservation science, exploration of Zoo STEM careers, animal behavior and more. Students will leave with a deeper understanding of how science, technology, engineering, and math is used and applied at the zoo.
Cost: $250 minimum per day or $25/student/day
Please contact [email protected] to inquire or to schedule.

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