TAKE A CLASS
VIRTUAL
ZOO TO YOU.
Zoo to You offers education programs on a variety of topics brought to you virtually. Sample subject areas include adaptations, habitats and endangered species. Our programs are designed for specified age groups and grades according to the New York State Learning Standards. We have programs available for ages 3 through adult. Zoo to You is not suitable for children under the age of 3. Please see our curriculum list below for specific program details. Also, please note that most program themes can be adapted to suit both older and younger aged students. We can also design a program to your specific topic needs or on subject matter not included on our curriculum list. Simply mention your request when you reserve your Zoo to You program and we’ll do our best to accommodate your needs.
VIRTUAL ZOO TO YOU OFFERINGS.
Amazing Adaptations
Why do tigers have such big teeth? How far can an owl its head? In this program, discover how animals survive in their environments using specific body parts or behaviors known as adaptations.
Target Age/Grade: Pre-K through high school
NYSSLS: P-LS1-2
NGSS: 1-LS1-1; 2-LS4-1; 3-LS2-1; 3-LS3-2; 3-LS4-3; 3-LS4-4; 4-LS1-1; MS-LS1-4; MS-LS4-4; MS-LS4-6; HS-LS1-2; HS-LS2-8; HS-LS4-2; HS-LS4-3
Animal Coverings
Why are birds covered with feathers? Why do turtles have shells? Learn about the different types of coverings, the animals that have them, and how it helps them to survive.
Target Age/Grade: Pre-K through 1st grade
NYSSLS: P-LS1-1
NGSS: 1-LS1-1
Animal Movement
Animals rely on different parts of their body to move, which aids in their survival. Learn about the different body parts of animals and even see a few zoo animals move using different parts of their bodies. Learn how to move their own bodies in ways that some animals do.
Target Age/Grade: Pre-K through 1st grade
NYSSLS: P-LS1-2
NGSS: 1-LS1-1
Animal Enrichment
Have you ever wondered if animals get bored like humans do? Explore different tools that the zoo uses to enrich the lives of the animals that call it home. You can also learn how to enrich the lives of animals that live in and around your home.
Target Age/Grade: Ages 12 and up
NGSS: N/A
Animal Needs
Why don’t wild animals make good pets? While some animals live with people and rely on people to take care of them, wild animals must search for food, water, and shelter to survive. Explore the differences between domestic pets and animals in the wild and discover how you can make a better pet owner.
Target Age/Grade: Kindergarten
NGSS: K-LS1-1; K-ESS3-1
Animal Senses
Animals move and use their senses just like us. See for yourself how some different animals move, smell, hear, and feel and use a few of your own senses to learn how they survive in the wild!
Target Age/Grade: Pre-K
NYSSLS: P-LS1-2
NGSS: N/A
Beastly Builders
From dens to dams, holes and hives, animals have different ways of finding and making shelter. Explore many types of homes animals build in the wild and how we re-create them here at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo.
Target Age/Grade: Kindergarten
NGSS: K-ESS2-2; K-ESS3-3
Grossology
From penguin poop to vulture vomit, the Zoo can be a pretty gross place! We will explore the icky, yucky, gross side of working with animals, and find out why a little gross can be a good thing!
Target Age/Grade: Grades 1-4
NGSS: 1-LS1-1; 3-LS4-3; 4-LS1-1
Going Native
While we might not have large and impressive wildlife like elephants and lions roaming the countryside, the wildlife that can be found in the state of New York is still diverse and interesting to learn about. The animals we share our neighborhoods with can give us brief glimpses into the lives that go on around us every day.
Target Age/Grade: K-3rd Grade
NGSS: K-ESS3-1; 2-LS4-1; 3-LS3-2; 3-LS4-4
At Home in My Biome
Grasslands, deserts, forests…these are just some of the places our animals call home. Discover more about biomes and how their qualities determine what animals live there. Great for all ages.
Target Age/Grade: K through high school
NYSSLS: P-LS1-1
NGSS: K-ESS3-1; 2-LS2-2; 2-LS4-1; 3-LS2-1; 3-LS4-3; 3-LS4-4; 4-LS1-1; 5-LS1-1; 5-ESS3-1; MS-LS2-1; MS-LS2-4; MS-LS4-6; MS-ESS3-3; HS-LS2-1; HS-LS2-6; HS-LS2-7; HS-LS2-8; HS-LS4-2
Life Cycles
What changes happen when animals grow? Many animals go through a series of changes from birth to death. Students will compare a variety of animal life cycles and learn what changes occur to them between egg and adult.
Target Age/Grade: Pre-K through high school
NYSSLS: P-LS3-1
NGSS: 1-LS1-2; 1-LS3-1; 3-LS1-1; 3-LS3-1; MS-LS1-4; HS-LS1-4
Animal Myths Busted!
Can an owl turn its head all the way around? Do porcupines shoot their quills? Can turtles leave their shells? Find out by joining us as we present and analyze some myths and misconceptions about animals found at the zoo!
Target Age/Grade: Pre-K through 4th
NYSSLS: P-LS1-2
NGSS: 1-LS1-1; 3-LS2-1; 3-LS3-2; 3-LS4-2; 4-LS1-1
Predator vs. Prey
What is a predator? What is a prey? Learn how the ability to get food and avoid becoming food is linked to survival. Meet both types of animals here at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo.
Target Age/Grade: Pre-K through high school
NYSSLS: P-LS1-1
NGSS: K-LS1-1; K-ESS3-1; 3-LS2-1; 3-LS4-2; 3-LS4-4; 4-LS1-1; 5-PS3-1; 5-LS2-1; MS-LS2-1; MS-LS2-3; MS-LS2-4; MS-LS4-4; HS-LS2-1; HS-LS2-2; HS-LS2-6; HS-LS4-2
Rainforests
Tropical rainforests are one of the most diverse environments on earth, with over half of our known plant and animal species residing there. You will explore the layers of rainforest and the animals that inhabit them. Learn how humans depend on this unique habitat.
Target Age/Grade: 3 – high school
NGSS: 3-LS3-2; 3-LS4-3; 3-LS4-4; 4-LS1-1; 5-LS2-1; 5-ESS3-1; MS-LS2-1; MS-LS2-3; MS-LS2-4; MS-LS2-5; MS-LS4-4; MS-ESS3-3; HS-LS2-1; HS-LS2-2; HS-LS2-6; HS-LS2-7
Species Survival
Why do animals become endangered or extinct? How are AZA accredited institutions, like the Rosamond Gifford Zoo, helping to save animals from extinction? Discover what part humans play and how you can help.
Target Age/Grade: 3rd– high school
NGSS: 3-LS4-1; 3-LS4-4; 5-LS2-1; 5-ESS3-1; MS-LS2-1; MS-LS2-2; MS-LS2-4; MS-ESS3-3; HS-LS2-1; HS-LS2-2; HS-LS2-6; HS-LS2-7; HS-LS4-6
The Scoop on Poop
All animals poop! Here at the zoo we have many species which all have their own way of doing their business. From nesting to seed spreading, fertilization to food, learn the reasons why it’s important.
Target Age/Grade: 1st – middle school
NGSS: 1-LS1-1; 4-LS1-1; 5-PS3-1; 5-LS2-1; MS-LS2-3
Tracking
Join us as we explore the clues left behind by animals as they go about their lives. We will also investigate the many ways tracking animals can help us learn about identification, behavior, and conservation.
Target Age/Grade: 1st – middle school
NGSS: 1-LS1-1; 4-LS1-1; 5-PS3-1; 5-LS2-1; MS-LS2-3
Wild Careers!
Have you ever thought about working at the zoo? From education to zoo keeping, there is something for everyone here! Explore all your options and learn how you can get others “close enough to care.”
Target Age/Grade: Ages 12 and up
NGSS: N/A