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School at the Zoo
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Auditorium Programs
> Animal Tails
> Zoo Classes
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PLAINS Adventure Backpacks >
When to
Schedule
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AUDITORIUM PROGRAMS:
You may schedule a program in our auditorium
for no additional charge. Auditorium programs last
approximately 45 minutes and are held in the Education
auditorium. They involve an AV presentation, audience
participation and animal biofacts (skulls, feathers,
fur, etc.). There is no charge for this program.
Program can serve ten to 300 people and are scheduled
on-the-hour. Kindergarten and preschool groups are
limited to 50 students per program. One adult for every
ten students is required. We ask that these adults
distribute themselves throughout the students during the
presentation. Groups with less than 30 students may be
combined with other like groups.
Due to tight schedules, programs will be canceled if
groups are more than ten minutes late. Groups that do
not show up AND do not call a minimum of 30 minutes
before the program is scheduled to begin will be charged
a $10.00 service charge. This will be invoiced to the
school.
Parents with siblings are encouraged to enjoy the Zoo or
wait in the foyer during the presentation. For those
parents with younger siblings who decide to join the
program we ask that you be courteous and exit the
program if the sibling becomes unruly or disruptive.
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Kindergarten -
20 minute
programs. There is a maximum of 50 students per
program
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Zoo Babies:
This 20-minute program includes a
discussion on bird, mammal and reptile
babies and talks about the current babies at
the Zoo. There is a maximum of 50 students
per program.
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Backyard Buddies:
Discover the plants and animals living in
your own backyard as we use finger play and
puppets to bring learning alive
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Grades 1-2
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Animals, Animals:
The differences between birds, mammals,
reptiles, amphibians and fish are explored
by looking at their body coverings, method
of birth and lifestyle.
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Your Big Backyard:
This program focuses on what plants and
animals in Kansas need to survive. It
also takes students through a variety of
native Kansas plant and animal life cycles.
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Grades 3-5
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Habitats:
This presentation includes a discussion
of various habitats including the two most
endangered ecosystems: the rainforest and
the coral reef. Conservation and protection
of habitats are emphasized.
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Adaptations:
Students will learn about the ways
animals are adapted (movement, feeding,
camouflage, defense and communication) to
their environment
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Kansas is Cool:
Students will discover why Kansas is a great
place to live while they explore native
plants and animals. They will also discover
ways to keep Kansas great.
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Grades 6-8
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Adapting for Survival:
Students will learn about the ways
animals are adapted (movement, feeding,
camouflage, defense and communication) to
their environment including examples of
birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians.
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Tropical Rainforest:
This program includes a discussion of
rainforest characteristics; animals that
live in the rainforest, products that people
use that originate in the rainforest and why
rainforests are disappearing.
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Big Cats:
Roar, meow, purr… this presentation
includes a discussion of what makes a big
cat “big,” the cats we exhibit at our Zoo
and other feline facts.
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Grades 9-12
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Animal
Survivor:
Endangered animals we exhibit here at
the Zoo are featured in this presentation
that includes a discussion of why animals
become endangered and some of the things
zoos are doing to help endangered species.
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Is There
a Doctor in the Zoo?
What do you do when a snake has a tumor?
This slide presentation covers the many jobs
our veterinary staff is responsible for and
how they care for our wide variety of
animals.
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Zoo
Careers:
Zoo Keeping is not the only career
available at the Zoo. Learn how many job
positions it takes to keep the Zoo running
smoothly. There might just be a job for your
future.
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Zoo
History: Students will be able to
see the Zoo grow as we take a pictorial walk
through the history of the Zoo.
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Custom-tailored
programs may be available with adequate advance notice.
We can adapt most programs to any grade level or cover
another topic.
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ANIMAL TALES:
Enjoy a fun-filled, informative zoo
adventure through literature and animal artifacts.
Students three years and older will learn about a
specific animal through story and experience animal
artifacts through touch! Each Animal Tale lasts
approximately 30 minutes. There is a minimum of ten
students and a maximum of 50. There is no charge for
this program. For
a
$45.00 fee, a live animal can be
included.
Due to tight schedules, programs will be canceled if
groups are more than ten minutes late. Groups that do
not show up AND do not call a minimum of 30 minutes
before the program is scheduled to begin will be charged
a $10.00 service charge. This will be invoiced to the
school.
Parents with siblings are encouraged to enjoy the Zoo or
wait in the foyer during the presentation. For those
parents with younger siblings who decide to join the
program we ask that you be courteous and exit the
program if the sibling becomes unruly or disruptive.
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ZOO CLASSES:
One hour and 45-minute classes can be
scheduled to fit into your curriculum needs. Classes
include: games, activities, tour, craft, and animal
encounter. Classes are $4.00 per student in addition to
gate admission if you visit the zoo before your program
thru July 2007. There is a minimum of ten students and
a maximum of 25.
Due to tight schedules, programs will be canceled if
groups are more than ten minutes late. Groups that do
not show up AND do not call a minimum of 30 minutes
before the program is scheduled to begin will be charged
a $10.00 service charge. This will be invoiced to the
school.
Parents with siblings are encouraged to enjoy the Zoo or
wait in the foyer during the presentation. For those
parents with younger siblings who decide to join the
program we ask that you be courteous and exit the
program if the sibling becomes unruly or disruptive.
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Grades 1 - 4
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Habitats:
Students will investigate different
habitats and what makes them unique.
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Incredible Invertebrates:
Through sorting and investigating,
students learn the basic characteristics of
insects.
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Zoo Food:
Does a guanaco eat corn flakes for
breakfast? Investigate the importance of
good food for all animals.
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Grades 5 - 8
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Communication Clues:
Students will investigate the different
ways animals communicate.
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Genetic Jeopardy:
Captive animal populations need to be
carefully managed. Students will become
animal managers for the day.
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Endangered Endeavors:
As habitats change, animals must adapt
to new surroundings or they may not
survive. Students will investigate animal
adaptations.
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Middle School
or High School
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TOURS:
You may schedule a guided tour for ten
to 20 people ages five and older. Tours are available
for elementary schools June through March and for
secondary schools year round. There is a $30 fee for
exhibit area tours and $40 for behind the scenes tours.
Due to tight schedules, programs will be canceled if
groups are more than ten minutes late. Groups that
do not show up AND do not call a minimum of 30 minutes
before the program is scheduled to begin will be charged
a $10.00 service charge. This will be invoiced to
the school.
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PLAINS ADVENTURE
BACKPACKS:
Exploring the Zoo has never been so exciting. These
inquiry-based packs are at no cost thanks to a Howard
Hughes Medical Institute grant and contain everything
you need to complete investigations throughout the Pride
of the Plains or the North American Prairie. Missions
can be downloaded from the Zoo’s web site and packs can
be checked out M-F. One pack serves four students.
Packs are available for Kindergarten, 1-2, 3-4, and 5-6
grades. All packs are aligned to Kansas State Teaching
standards. Pre-registration required a minimum of two
weeks in advance.
Pride of the Plains Adventure Packs Include:
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Measurement tools
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Orienteering tools
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Observation
techniques
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Inquiry-based
missions
North American Adventure Packs include:
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Measurement tools
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Observation techniques
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Inquiry-based activities
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A chaperone packet that includes
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Answers to applicable questions
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Fascinating facts to share with the students
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A teacher pack that includes
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Animal artifacts
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Fact packet
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Animal track rubbing plates
Click
here to download a Backpack guide |
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