Welcome to Calgary Zoo School Programs!
The perfect place to bring curriculum to life.
Since the province announced enhanced public safety measures on September 16 , we have been working to adjust our operations to align to these new enhanced public safety measures. The health and safety of the animals we love and care for at our facilities, our employees, our volunteers, our donors, our members and our visitors remains our top priority.
VIRTUAL PROGRAMS
Are you looking to enhance classroom lessons with a virtual component? Let us bring the zoo to you! Our suite of dynamic, curricular-connected virtual experiences bring our plant and animal colleagues into your learning space.
Virtual Safari: Join an expert conservation educator for an interactive tour through one of our zoo regions. 5 themes to choose from!
Grades: K-12 Length: up to 60 minutes Cost: $125
Virtual Voyage: Join two of our expert conservation educators for an engaging zoo-wide educational experience including animal encounters. 4 themes to choose from!
Grades: K-6 Length: up to 75 minutes Cost: $225
Click on the Virtual Experiences button to learn more and book.
ON-SITE PROGRAMS
We are prepared to safely engage you in our on-site school programs. We have temporarily reduced our suite of on-site programs, additional options will be added in the coming months.
Effective Monday, September 20th the Calgary Zoo requires all visitors over the age of 12 years to provide government-issued proof of COVID immunization (at least one dose), a negative privately paid COVID-19 test from within the previous 72-hours or documentation of a medical exemption before they will be granted access to your Calgary Zoo.
What this means for school program clients wishing to continue with their onsite program:
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Teachers bringing classes with students age 12 and over will need to attest, in writing, that all students meet the criteria outlined above prior to arrival onsite. If you are able to provide this, please notify us at [email protected] and we will send you the necessary form.
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Teachers bringing classes with students under the age of 12 do not need to provide any additional information or documentation for the students.
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All teachers and accompanying parent chaperones will need to meet the criteria outline above and will be asked to provide proof upon arrival at the North entrance. This is required regardless of the age of the participating students.
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Additional measures such as: mandatory masking in all indoor spaces and encouraged social distancing are still in effect.
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Please refer to your board’s policies on accessing sites requiring proof of vaccination.
BIODIVERSITYBiological diversity is essential to maintaining healthy populations. Diversity within a species increases resilience and diversity among species fosters efficient ecosystems. Throughout the day we will look at three different levels of biodiversity: genetic diversity (within a species), species diversity and ecosystem diversity. Students will explore structural and behavioural adaptations and discuss the success and limitations of human involvement in continuing captive species through breeding programs and genetic analysis. |
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INTERACTIONS AND ECOSYSTEMSThe interactions that take place between biotic and abiotic factors within an ecosystem are vital to its success, as every species has a niche or role to play. But what happens when the delicate balance is disturbed? Students will explore the idea of animals becoming extinct and the impact this would have on their ecosystems. By building eco-webs to link together a variety of biotic and abiotic factors, they will investigate interdependency and the importance of conservation. |
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KEYERA BIOLOGY 30, POPULATION AND COMMUNITY DYNAMICSThis program explores the concepts of population and community dynamics through the lens of conservation. Students will examine the concepts of biological and genetic diversity in our animals as well as the many challenges we face in conservation work and how they relate to what they are learning in class. |
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EDU-TREK: ASIADiscover the spectacular animals that call Asia home. On this walking safari, explore predator-prey relationships, social dynamics, adaptations for extreme environments, and human impacts. Animals observed may include Amur tigers, Malayan tapir, white-handed gibbons, red pandas, snow leopards, Japanese macaques, and Bactrian camels. |
EDU-TREK: CANADIAN WILDSExplore the amazing animals that inhabit the wilds around us. Species observed may include: bighorn sheep, mountain goats, snowy owl, woodland caribou, wood bison, whooping crane, grey wolf, grizzly bear, black bear, cougar. |
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EDU-TREK: AFRICAInvestigate the unique animals of the African savannah and rainforest. Species observed may include: meerkat, hippopotamus, giraffe, lion, zebra, lemur, Malagasy boas, dwarf crocodiles, black & white colobus monkeys, western lowland gorilla. |
*On-site programs are subject to change.
MAKE A RESERVATION
If you are interested in one of our on-site programs, please contact us by clicking the button below. Programs must be booked by the Friday two weeks before your program date. Questions prior to your booking? Contact our school programs team below and we'd be happy to help you.
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THE VERMILION ENERGY EMPTY BACKPACK PROGRAMThe Vermilion Energy Empty Backpack program ensures vulnerable students in Calgary have the chance to experience the zoo’s unique education programs. For 2021-2022 we have two streams of funding available to allow grades K-12 from equity schools to participate. Inquire at the time of booking for more details on how your students can benefit from this opportunity. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Check out our FAQs for answers to common questions about our virtual programming and information on how we are adapting our school programs for COVID-19.