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Educators

Virtual School Programs

Connect with the Zoo and take a virtual tour or have one of our animals visit your virtual classroom! We have opportunities for at-home learners, single classrooms and larger school audiences. Programs can be tailored for all age groups to support your student's learning.

We are no longer accepting program requests. 

Thank you for your interest, however our capacity has been reached for these events.  If you have already submitted a program request or have a program scheduled with us please see the options below for details.  We appreciate your understanding as our small team transitions to new opportunities for our community!

Virtual Options for Your Students

Intended for groups interested in a virtual field trip experience
Can accommodate up to 100 connected devices
Available to book Monday through Friday
All ages welcome

Using the Zoom platform, take a LIVE tour of the Zoo to visit animal habitats and ask questions along the way.  Available for either 30 or 45 minutes and includes up close animal ambassadors between exhibits.

$125 for 30-minute program includes:
Two animal exhibits of your choice
One up-close animal visitor
Live Q&A with our Zoo educators

$175 for 45-minute program includes:
Three animal exhibits of your choice
Two up close animal visitors
Live Q&A with our Zoo educators

No longer available.

Animal Sections to Choose From:

• Asian Elephant Herd
• Big Cats
• Great Apes
• Farm Animals
• Texas Wetlands

Intended for groups interested in a single classroom experience
Can accommodate a single classroom of students
Available to book Monday through Friday
All ages welcome

Using the Zoom platform, take a deeper dive on specific topics like adaptations, food chains, and animal habitats.  Available in either 30 or 45 minute options and includes power point presentation and up close animal ambassadors.

$100 for 30-minute program includes:
Topic specific power point with Zoo animal videos
Two up-close animal visitors
Live Q&A with our Zoo educators

$150 for 45-minute program includes:
Topic specific power point with Zoo animal videos
Three up-close animal visitors
Live Q&A with our Zoo educators

No longer available. 

Topics to Choose From:
  • Animal Adaptations
  • Habitats
  • Texas Animals
  • Order Up!
  • Zoo Careers

Intended for groups interested in an up-close view of animal ambassadors
Can accommodate up to 100 connected devices
Available to book Monday through Friday
All ages welcome

Just want to meet animals?  This is the program for you!  Using the Zoom platform, get an up-close view of three ambassadors during this 45 minute program. Have a specific topic you’d like for us to cover?  Let us know! We’re happy to accommodate as feasible.

$150 for 45-minute program includes:
Three up-close animal visitors
Live Q&A session with Zoo educators

No longer available.

For The Best Program Experience:

Connect with us on a device enabled with camera and microphone.

Houston Zoo utilizes the Zoom platform, but we can accommodate other video conference systems.

We will send the program contact detailed connection instructions 7 days in advance of the program date.

 

What educators are saying about our Virtual School Programs:

“Presenters were friendly, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic which hooked my students, within minutes, to their wonderful presentation.”

“You all have this virtual thing down! Very well organized and it’s great to have IT on site for questions, letting participants in, etc.”

“The students were enthralled, they loved every second of this virtual field trip!”

Optional Add-on

Ask an Expert!

$50 for an additional 20-minute experience includes your students chatting one on one with an animal care expert.

This add-on gives students a peek behind the scenes and the opportunity to answer all their animal questions.

Ambassador Animals

Virtual School Programs provide an opportunity for you to get up close and interact with our ambassador animals. Connect with a variety of animals such as lizards, an armadillo, porcupine and many more. Learn what they eat and how they are cared for as a member of the Houston Zoo family. Meet our amazing ambassadors and find out how you and your students can take action to save animals in the wild during your school program!

We’ll surprise you with a selection of delightful critters; it is not possible to reserve specific animals when you schedule your virtual program.

Topics

Animal Adaptations

What do animals really need to survive? Animals have amazing adaptations! Explore the many animal traits that are must-have requirements for survival. From the fiercest hunters to the fastest sprinters, animals are equipped to thrive in the wild. Learn from a Zoo educator about the adaptations and survival stories of our ambassador animals.

Habitats

All animals need the same components from their habitats in order to survive: food, water, shelter, and space. Join us as we explore some of the world’s most incredible landscapes; from sand ridden deserts to the tops of the rainforest we will discover unique places and meet some live animals that call them home.

Texas Animals

The Houston Zoo takes enormous pride in supporting efforts that save our native Texas wildlife.  From armadillos to alligators, learn about the variety of animals in our own back yard. We’ll discuss their adaptations and strategies for survival that allow them to thrive in our unique climate, and learn about ways you can help save them too!

Order Up!

Animals eat different things to get the energy they need to survive.  Uncover the world of animal diets and learn about some of our Zoo animal’s favorite foods!  Carnivores, herbivores, omnivores (and more!) will all be discussed during this program; perfect for our younger pre-K audiences.

Zoo Careers

Try a zoo career on for size! Explore some different tools of the trade that help a zoo run. Whether you want to work with animals as a keeper or veterinarian or maybe an architect and design exhibits for animals; a zoo is like a mini-city where everyone plays a role with a different skill set that is needed in order to care and protect animals. This program opens student’s eyes to the diversity of careers associated with a zoo and how to prepare for them.

Need more information? Don’t see a program that fits your needs?
Contact us at education@houstonzoo.org, and we can answer your questions.

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