WELCOME TO WILDER INSTITUTE CALGARY ZOO SCHOOL PROGRAMS!
The perfect place to bring curriculum to life.
Immerse yourself in our 120 acre living classroom. On-site school programs are designed with grade specific learner outcomes and they all include a variety of curriculum-connected activities designed to spark curiosity, initiate dialogue and help bring concepts to life.
Bear NecessitiesGrade: K-3
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How does a wild bear find food, water and shelter? Using their senses and detective skills, students figure out how bears meet their needs, and what we can all do to help them. This lively program involves interactive role-playing and costumes.
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Dino StylesGrade: K-3
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From different styles of adaptation to different styles of families, this high-energy program explores the creation of fossils while looking closely at dinosaur diversity, parental care, and hatchling survival adaptations. Through classroom and tour components, students will discuss animal homes, life cycles and specific needs of dinosaurs at different times.
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On Gossamer WingsGrade: K-3
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Butterflies and moths have unique adaptations to live in their environments, but also share similarities with humans. In this program students will learn how these creatures use their senses to explore the world around them just like we do, compare their life cycles to our own and recognize the impact losing pollinators would be to the environment today. Students will learn about butterflies and moths through reflecting on the question “how can we improve the environment for butterflies, moths, and ourselves?”.
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Penguin PaloozaGrade: K-3
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Students will act as conservation scientists rescuing a penguin as they move through various stations learning about adaptations, habitats, prey and predators, and family care. As students learn about penguins they will be guided to reflect on the question “how does the Wilder Institute Calgary Zoo make a home for penguins?” to determine why zoos are important and how they can benefit our animals.
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Dinos: Digging DeeperGrade: 4-6
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Get ready to solve the mystery of the fossil discovery. In this program students will act like paleontologists analyzing the evidence before them to uncover unique fossil characteristics to make inferences about the life and death of the fossilized dinosaur. Students will reflect on the question “how can understanding characteristics of animals in the past help us to protect our ecosystems today?” through storytelling and hands-on investigating.
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Green and GorgeousGrade: 4
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In this program students will act as budding botanists, learning about the importance of plants in our world. Students will be guided to reflect on the question “how does understanding and appreciating plants help us to protect our environment?” through stationed activities aimed at discovering various aspects of plants such as seed dispersal, pollination, life cycles and function of anatomy.
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The One and Only IvanGrade: 3-6
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Inspired by the novel “The One and Only Ivan” by K.A. Applegate, this program compares the life of Ivan from the story to our gorilla troop here at the Wilder Institute Calgary Zoo. We will guide students through the process of analyzing the question “what is the purpose of the Wilder Institute Calgary Zoo?” through initial brainstorming, thoughtful discussion, and observation of our gorilla troop and habitat. **Students should be familiar with the story of Ivan. Ideally classes have competed the novel, the short story book, or have watched the film. This program contains spoilers!
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Burrowing in with Burrowing OwlsGrade: 3-6
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The burrowing owl is a unique grassland species, whose Canadian population has declined by 90% since the 1990s. The owl is listed as Endangered due to several threats that result in high juvenile mortality and low migration return rates. Through a variety of hands-on activities, we will learn about the burrowing owls' habitat, diet, and head-starting project that the Wilder Institute Calgary Zoo has devised to recover burrowing owl populations. Students will reflect on the question “how can we improve our environment for burrowing owls and ourselves?” while acting as 'conservation researchers' for a day to learn some of the conservation techniques that are involved in saving this species from extinction.
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Edu-Trek: AsiaGrade: K-12 |
Discover the spectacular animals that call Asia home while being toured by a knowledgeable conservation education interpreter. Our educators will outline curricular connections specific to your student’s level. 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.
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Edu-Trek: AfricaGrade: K-12 |
Observe the unique animals of the African savannah and rainforest while being toured by a knowledgeable conservation education interpreter. Our educators will outline curricular connections specific to your student’s level. Topics may include predator-prey relationships, adaptations, conservation efforts and so much more. Species observed may include meerkat, hippopotamus, giraffe, lion, zebra, lemur, Malagasy boas, dwarf crocodiles, black & white colobus monkeys, western lowland gorilla.
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Edu-Trek: Plant SafariGrade: K-12 |
There are a variety of plants that grow in natural harmony here, they each play a role in supporting our healthy environment and ecosystem. As students are guided through the ENMAX Conservatory by one of our conservation educators they will discover the unique qualities of all plants and how their growth can impact sustainability in our world. Students will reflect on the question, “how can we grow and farm plants in a sustainable way?” as they journey though our gardens. |
BiomesGrade: 10-12
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Students will analyze three distinctive biomes: tropical rainforest, grassland, and ocean. Throughout the day we will be reflecting on the question “how does our understanding of biomes help us to better predict and evaluate the risks of climate change and human impact on ecosystems?”. By measuring the ambient conditions and exploring the animals and plants that are present in the Wilder Institute Calgary Zoo’s TransAlta Rainforest, Savannah, and Penguin Plunge buildings, students will understand how climate affects life in specific regions.
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Burrowing in with burrowing owlsGrade: 7-8 |
The burrowing owl is a unique grassland species, whose Canadian population has declined by 90% since the 1990s. The owl is listed as Endangered due to several threats that result in high juvenile mortality and low migration return rates. Through a variety of hands-on activities, we will learn about the burrowing owls' habitat, diet, and head-starting project that the Wilder Institute Calgary Zoo has devised to recover burrowing owl populations. Students will reflect on the question “how can we improve our environment for burrowing owls and ourselves?” while acting as 'conservation researchers' for a day to learn some of the conservation techniques that are involved in saving this species from extinction.
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Conservation ScienceGrade: 10-12
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This program will have students examining the importance of wildlife conservation by utilizing the tools, strategies and research being completed by the conservation scientists of our very own programs here in Alberta and abroad. They will further investigate how we can engage with communities to create meaningful, lasting wildlife conservation as they reflect on the question, "How might we create action that will preserve wildlife and ecosystems?"
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Interactions and EcosystemsGrade: 7
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From the tiniest puddle to the highest mountain range, our world is full of ecosystems in which plants and animals interact and survive together. In this fascinating program students will explore the impact of organisms becoming endangered or going extinct. Investigating how the Wilder Institute Calgary Zoo contributes to wildlife conservation, students will work towards answering the question “how might we reduce our impact on natural habitats so that we can maintain healthy ecosystems?”
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Freshwater and Saltwater SystemsGrade: 8
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Students will explore the relationship between water quality and living things, learn about the biofilter systems that keep our animals happy and even do some water testing. Students will discover the importance of water and its global distribution through small group activities. Water conservation strategies will be uncovered as students reflect on the question “how can we ensure clean water for generations to come?”.
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BiodiversityGrade: 9
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Students will be investigating three different levels of biodiversity: genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity. As students explore the nature of reproduction, we’ll learn about the mating behaviours of some of our resident animals and examine how animals preserve biodiversity within their species. Students will learn how researchers apply this knowledge to the Species Survival Plan initiative as well as discover the science behind other captive breeding programs. Throughout the day students will reflect on the question “how does understanding reproduction and genes influence how the Wilder Institute Calgary Zoo can protect and conserve wildlife both under human care and in the wild?”
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ChangesGrade: 11
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The concepts of adaptation, classification, evolution, and speciation are brought to life through the observation of primates, the comparison of skulls and a couple of games. Students will examine what makes humans unique from primates through investigation of the question “how does our understanding of evolution and the theories associated allow us to better understand and protect species today?”. Students will also learn how researchers and animal care staff use the information gained to help them further support conservation science.
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KEYERA BIOLOGY 30, POPULATION AND COMMUNITY DYNAMICSGrade: 12
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Conservation is the primary focus, drawing on important concepts such as biological and genetic diversity to better understand this complicated process. While observing some of our animals, students will discuss key terms and explore population management strategies. The students will examine the many challenges we face in conservation work by reflecting on the question “how should endangered species conservation be prioritized?” and apply what they have learned in class to finding solutions.
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Edu-Trek: AsiaGrade: K-12 |
Discover the spectacular animals that call Asia home while being toured by a knowledgeable conservation education interpreter. Our educators will outline curricular connections specific to your student’s level. 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.
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Edu-Trek: AfricaGrade: K-12 |
Observe the unique animals of the African savannah and rainforest while being toured by a knowledgeable conservation education interpreter. Our educators will outline curricular connections specific to your student’s level. Topics may include predator-prey relationships, adaptations, conservation efforts and so much more. Species observed may include meerkat, hippopotamus, giraffe, lion, zebra, lemur, Malagasy boas, dwarf crocodiles, black & white colobus monkeys, western lowland gorilla.
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Edu-Trek: Plant SafariGrade: K-12 |
There are a variety of plants that grow in natural harmony here, they each play a role in supporting our healthy environment and ecosystem. As students are guided through the ENMAX Conservatory by one of our conservation educators they will discover the unique qualities of all plants and how their growth can impact sustainability in our world. Students will reflect on the question, “how can we grow and farm plants in a sustainable way?” as they journey though our gardens. |
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Please click below for a map of the zoo.
The zoo is going back to school! Armed with hands-on artefacts, interactive lesson plans and topical tour footage, our educators can deliver select programs in-school for grades k-12.
Program Information:
Bear NecessitiesGrade: K-3
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How does a wild bear find food, water and shelter? Using their senses and detective skills, students figure out how bears meet their needs, and what we can all do to help them. This lively program involves interactive role-playing and costumes.
|
||
Penguin PaloozaGrade: K-3
|
Students will act as conservation scientists rescuing a penguin as they move through various stations learning about adaptations, habitats, prey and predators, and family care. As students learn about penguins they will be guided to reflect on the question “how does the Wilder Institute Calgary Zoo make a home for penguins?” to determine why zoos are important and how they can benefit our animals.
|
||
The One and Only IvanGrade: 3-6
|
Inspired by the novel “The One and Only Ivan” by K.A. Applegate, this program compares the life of Ivan from the story to our gorilla troop here at the Wilder Institute Calgary Zoo. We will guide students through the process of analyzing the question “what is the purpose of the Wilder Institute Calgary Zoo?” through initial brainstorming, thoughtful discussion, and observation of our gorilla troop and habitat. **Students should be familiar with the story of Ivan. Ideally classes have competed the novel, the short story book, or have watched the film. This program contains spoilers!
|
Interactions and EcosystemsGrade: 7
|
From the tiniest puddle to the highest mountain range, our world is full of ecosystems in which plants and animals interact and survive together. In this fascinating program students will explore the impact of organisms becoming endangered or going extinct. Investigating how the Wilder Institute Calgary Zoo contributes to wildlife conservation, students will work towards answering the question “how might we reduce our impact on natural habitats so that we can maintain healthy ecosystems?”
|
||
BiodiversityGrade: 9
|
Students will be investigating three different levels of biodiversity: genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity. As students explore the nature of reproduction, we’ll learn about the mating behaviours of some of our resident animals and examine how animals preserve biodiversity within their species. Students will learn how researchers apply this knowledge to the Species Survival Plan initiative as well as discover the science behind other captive breeding programs. Throughout the day students will reflect on the question “how does understanding reproduction and genes influence how the Wilder Institute Calgary Zoo can protect and conserve wildlife both under human care and in the wild?”
|
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KEYERA BIOLOGY 30, POPULATION AND COMMUNITY DYNAMICSGrade: 12
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Conservation is the primary focus, drawing on important concepts such as biological and genetic diversity to better understand this complicated process. While observing some of our animals, students will discuss key terms and explore population management strategies. The students will examine the many challenges we face in conservation work by reflecting on the question “how should endangered species conservation be prioritized?” and apply what they have learned in class to finding solutions.
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Join one of our dynamic conservation educators for an engaging virtual exploration of our zoo. Meet our amazing animal and plant colleagues from the region of your choice. And be sure to bring your curiosity because we love questions! 3 themes to choose from.
Length: Up to 60 minutes
Curriculum Connections: K-12, Variable based on grade. Please let us know what you'd like to focus on.
Program Fees: $125
Availability: December 2022 - February 2023 - Fridays 9 am, 10:30 am, 1:00 pm
By request September 2022 - March 2023
Capacity: Maximum 37
Penguins Virtual Safari Come nose to beak with the super cool inhabitants of the indoor and outdoor areas of our Penguin Plunge building. Penguin species may include: Northern & Southern rockhopper, Humboldt, Gentoo and King. Grades: K-12
Africa Virtual Safari Investigate 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. Grades: K-12
Asia Virtual Safari Discover the spectacular animals that call Eurasia home. Animals observed may include: white-handed gibbons, Malayan tapir, Japanese macaque, Japanese serow, markhor, Amur tiger, wild boar, red panda, snow leopard, Bactrian camel. Grades: K-12
THE VERMILION ENERGY EMPTY BACKPACK PROGRAM |
The Vermilion Energy Empty Backpack program ensures all students in Calgary have the chance to experience the zoo's unique education programs. This fund subsidizes program fees and bussing for eligible equity schools. For 2022-2023 we have funding available for grades K-6 to participate. Inquire at the time of booking for more details on how your students can benefit from this opportunity for on-site, in-school or virtual programming. |