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Field Trip Topics
Make your field trip to the Zoo a memorable and educational experience for your students by participating in one of our classes! The Houston Zoo Education Department offers various types of classes on many different topics. These classes also vary in length depending on how much time your group has to spend with us.
PRICING
$8 per person for Critter Encounters
$12 per person for Adventure Classes
One teacher/chaperone is admitted free for every 5 Pre K students and for every 10 students in grades K-12.
Please note that these prices include admission to the Zoo for each student. All our educational activities are aligned with the TEKS and are ideal supplements to your classroom curricula.
Please complete the online Education Class Field Trip Reservation Request and submit it at least three weeks prior to your visit date. Day cares, pre-schools, head starts, home schools, and colleges are not eligible for the free school program. For more information, call 713-533-6550 or email group.reservations@houstonzoo.org
ADVENTURE CLASSES
Adventure Classes are fun, interactive learning experiences where students will meet live animals, touch biofacts such as animal skins, skulls, and mounts, and participate in educational games or simulated laboratory activities. Classes for older students will challenge the students by delving deeper into the chosen topic. Classes may be taught to multiple grade levels at one time as long as they are no more than three grades apart, for example, 4th-6th or 10th-12th.
Adventure classes at the zoo are offered Monday through Friday at 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm, and 1 pm.
Adventure Classes are 30 minutes in length for Pre K and 60 minutes for all other ages.
Up to 2 Adventure Classes can be conducted at the same time with a maximum of 33 participants including teachers and chaperones.
Many Kinds of Animals (PK-3rd)
Who is covered in fur? Which animals slither when they move? How many students does it take to equal one giraffe stride? These are just some of the questions asked during this introductory course on Mammals, Birds and Reptiles.
Who is covered in fur? Which animals slither when they move? How many students does it take to equal one giraffe stride? These are just some of the questions asked during this introductory course on Mammals, Birds and Reptiles.
Habitats (PK-3rd)
What we want and what we need are as different as oceans and forests. Habitats like these are shaped by animal needs and in return provide these needs to the animals. Let our learning activities, biofacts, and animals help unearth the needs of our animal friends and the role their habitat plays in their lives.
What we want and what we need are as different as oceans and forests. Habitats like these are shaped by animal needs and in return provide these needs to the animals. Let our learning activities, biofacts, and animals help unearth the needs of our animal friends and the role their habitat plays in their lives.
Texas Animals (4th-6th)
Through interactive activities, biofacts, and touchable animals, participants will learn about the adaptations and the diversity of native Texas animals.
Through interactive activities, biofacts, and touchable animals, participants will learn about the adaptations and the diversity of native Texas animals.
Survival Gear (4th-6th)
Beaks, claws, fingers, and horns - spots, stripes, and mimicry. What do these all have in common? They are the many types of "gear" animals use to survive. This program will take a closer look at how animals survive by using their many adaptations.
Beaks, claws, fingers, and horns - spots, stripes, and mimicry. What do these all have in common? They are the many types of "gear" animals use to survive. This program will take a closer look at how animals survive by using their many adaptations.
Rainforests (7th-8th)
Examine all the layers of the rainforest and meet some of the animals that live there. Also, learn the importance of conservation of this ecosystem.
Examine all the layers of the rainforest and meet some of the animals that live there. Also, learn the importance of conservation of this ecosystem.
Endangered Species (7th-8th and 9th-12th)
Through interactive games, biofacts and touchable animals, participants will learn the five main reasons for animal endangerment. Important conservation issues will be discussed, including ways the students can help.
Through interactive games, biofacts and touchable animals, participants will learn the five main reasons for animal endangerment. Important conservation issues will be discussed, including ways the students can help.
Taxonomy (9th - 12th)
Through the use of dichotomous keys, animal biofacts, and other props, students will be introduced to the science of taxonomy.
Through the use of dichotomous keys, animal biofacts, and other props, students will be introduced to the science of taxonomy.
Create Your Own Program (all ages)
Unable to find what you are looking for? Have the Zoo create a custom program on your topic of choice! Contact the Education Department at least one month in advance to create a new program.
Unable to find what you are looking for? Have the Zoo create a custom program on your topic of choice! Contact the Education Department at least one month in advance to create a new program.
CRITTER ENCOUNTERS
We know that your time is often limited at the Zoo—and Critter Encounters allow you to take full advantage of the educational resources we have to offer and still have plenty of time to enjoy the Zoo on your own. These 20-minute programs provide students with an exciting introduction to wildlife through the use of biofacts and gives them the opportunity to get up close and personal with a Zoo animal.
Critter Encounters at the zoo are offered Monday through Friday at 9:45 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 12:45 p.m., 1:45 p.m., and 2:45 p.m.
Only one Critter Encounter can be conducted at a time with a maximum of 297 participants including teachers and chaperones.
Many Kinds of Animals (PK-3rd)
Reptiles (PK-3rd)
Texas Animals (4th-6th)
Rainforest (4th-6th)
AniMeals (7th-12th)
AniMeals (7th-12th)
Adaptations (7th-12th)
