The Toledo Zoo uses cutting-edge technology to bring interactive
videoconference learning to classrooms with compatible equipment.
Single or multipoint connections offer the benefits and convenience
of a "virtual field
trip". Students expand
their knowledge by meeting live animals, exploring exhibits and
participating in learning activities with the Zoo's education
personnel. Our programs are also aligned to National Science Standards.
3rd graders at Fort Miami Elementary School in Maumee, Ohio participate in the Animal Adaptations program.
The cost is $85.00 per class, plus bridging charges for multi-point hookups. For more information please call (419) 385-5721, ext. 2046 or email joshua.minor@toledozoo.org
Programs Offered:
Animal
Adaptations (K-12)
What is an adaptation,
how do adaptations happen, and what do they mean to animals
and the natural world? Students will review all this and much
more as they begin to explore how an adaptation aids survival.
Simulations and experiments will help students become better
skilled at observing and recognizing adaptations and how they
help animals to succeed in their niches. Older students can
gain knowledge about natural selection and explore both physical
and behavioral adaptations on a more complex level.
National Science Standards met:
NS.K-4.3 LIFE SCIENCE Understand that organisms live in specific environments/ conditions
NS.5-8.3 LIFE SCIENCE Understand the diversity and adaptations of organisms
NS.5-8.3 LIFE SCIENCE Understand structure and function of living systems
SC 2.2 Notice changes in living things, over time
Animal Coverings
(K-3)
Explore
the differences and similarities among animal coverings
through puppets, animal biofacts and live animals. Children
will also observe "inside/outside" skeletons and
play simple sorting games using beanie animals, foodstuffs,
etc. Puppets will introduce the different groups, and then
live animals from different classes will visit to show off
their covers. The concepts of "camouflage" and
"mimicry" will be introduced.
National Science Standards met:
NS.K-4.3 LIFE SCIENCE Understand that plants and animals are classified according to their characteristics: body coverings; body structure, etc.
SC 2.1 Recognize the difference between living and nonliving things
SC 2.4 Notice similarities, differences, and categories of plants and animals
Animal
Groups (Grades 2-4)
Children will
discuss the variety of living organisms and why we name and
group them. Concepts of living/non-living and plant/animal
will be introduced. Classes will learn that science categorizes
animals based on differences and similarities. The terms vertebrate/invertebrate
will be introduced. Live animals and animal biofacts will
be on hand to "test" whether students have learned
the basic differences among five classes of vertebrates (i.e.
fish, birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians). Students will
participate in sorting games that illustrate how groups are
formed using similarities and differences.
National Science Standards met:
NS.K-4.3 LIFE SCIENCE Understand that plants and animals are classified according to their characteristics: body coverings; body structure, etc.
SC 2.1 Recognize the difference between living and nonliving things
SC 2.4 Notice similarities, differences, and categories of plants and animals
Animal
Classification (Grades 4-10)
Students will
discuss the variety of living organisms and why we name and
group them. They will also learn who created binomial nomenclature,
why the world of science needed it, and why we have to learn
all that Latin! A few basic Latin root words used in classification
will be introduced. Younger students will see carnivore and
herbivore skulls (and learn about omnivores) and then discuss
how animals can be grouped according to the foods they eat.
Older students will learn the word "taxonomy" and
the divisions of kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus
and species. Working in groups, students will create mnemonic
devices to remember these divisions. Games and sorting strategies
will be employed to see how science uses differences and similarities
to form groups. Students will classify live animals to test
what they've learned.
National Science Standards met:
NS.K-4.3 LIFE SCIENCE Understand that plants and animals are classified according to their characteristics: body coverings; body structure, etc.
SC 2.1 Recognize the difference between living and nonliving things
SC 2.4 Notice similarities, differences, and categories of plants and animals
Arctic
Animals (K-3)
Students will
learn the basic geography and physical characteristics of
the Arctic. Students will also have the opportunity to learn
more about our polar bears and seals. Special adaptations
that help animals and peoples to survive the harsh climate
and circumstances in the Arctic will be emphasized to illustrate
how life persists in the cold climate.
National Science Standards met:
NS.5-8.3 LIFE SCIENCE Understand populations and ecosystems
NS.5-8.3 LIFE SCIENCE Understand the diversity and adaptations of organisms
SC 4.4 Understand the importance of natural resources; that the environment provides for the needs of living things
SC 4.5 Show beginning understanding of how human activities may alter the environment
Arctic
People and Culture (Grades 2-8)
After a brief
introduction to the Arctic, students will learn about Arctic
peoples. Focusing on Inuit culture, students will learn what
"culture" encompasses. They'll also complete a Venn
diagram to illustrate the differences and similarities between
their culture and Inuit culture, highlighting dress, transportation,
art, games, food, housing, and how animals affect culture.
Of course, a look at polar bears and seals is included! Students
will finish their session with a PowerPoint review and an
Arctic Challenge. Beware! Not many survive!
National Science Standards met:
NS.5-8.3 LIFE SCIENCE Understand populations and ecosystems
NS.5-8.3 LIFE SCIENCE Understand the diversity and adaptations of organisms
SC 4.4 Understand the importance of natural resources; that the environment provides for the needs of living things
SC 4.5 Show beginning understanding of how human activities may alter the environment
Desert
Dwellers (Grades 2-8)
Students
will learn what a desert is, where they are, what they look
like and explore some of the fascinating animals that live
there. A look at the distinctive plants that grow in deserts
is featured, too. The primary focus is how living things
adapt to the arid conditions and temperature swings.
National Science Standards met:
NS.K-4.3 LIFE SCIENCE Understand the basic needs of all living organisms: air; food; water; habitat
NS.K-4.3 LIFE SCIENCE Understand that organisms live in specific environments/ conditions
NS.5-8.3 LIFE SCIENCE Understand diversity and adaptations of organisms
SC 4.4 Understand the importance of natural resources; that the environment provides for the needs of living things
Endangered
Species (K-12)
Students
of all ages will learn about the plight of endangered animals
with a basic overview of what (who) has caused this dilemma
and what we can do about it. Using live animals and biofacts,
children will see some of the products and ornaments that
animals are used for and see how zoos are working to promote
awareness, appreciation and conservation of animals.
K-2 will learn the meanings
of "endangered," "extinct," and "habitat."
Children will discover how we are all part of the problem
but can also work to be part of the solutions, e.g., recycling,
reducing, re-using, protecting and creating habitats, and
being smart consumers.
3-8 will look at some
specific problems causing endangerment, i.e., poaching,
over-harvesting, pet trade, habitat destruction, and pollution.
9-12 will look in-depth
at some of the complex issues surrounding conservation,
i.e., jobs, politics, money needed, space needed, preparing
the wild for re-introduction, and considerations for genetic
diversity. Students will play a game of "In Jeopardy"
with Alexa Treesback and determine if they have the knowledge
to help win the most important game of all!
National Science Standards met:
NS.K-4.3 LIFE SCIENCE Understand the basic needs of all living organisms: air; food; water; habitat
NS.K-4.3 LIFE SCIENCE Understand that organisms live in specific environments/ conditions
NS.5-8.3 LIFE SCIENCE Understand populations and ecosystems
NS.5-8.3 LIFE SCIENCE Understand diversity and adaptations of organisms
SC 2.2 Notice changes in living things, over time
SC 4.4 Understand the importance of natural resources; that the environment provides for the needs of living things
SC 4.5 Show beginning understanding of how human activities may alter the environment
Food
Chains and Webs (Grades 3-8)
Games that create
student food chains will help them develop a better awareness
of how ecosystems work. Using the premise that "everybody
is somebody's lunch," students will appreciate how each
aspect of life represents a certain amount of energy and convert
that to ecosystems. Of course, since it all starts with the
sun, a good review of photosynthesis is included. Children
will work together to create an Arctic food chain. To top
it off, a living food chain of animals will visit to help
students "digest" this material!
National Science Standards met:
NS.K-4.3 LIFE SCIENCE Understand the basic needs of all living organisms: air; food; water; habitat
NS.5-8.3 LIFE SCIENCE Understand populations and ecosystems
SC 2.3 Understand that plants and animals have life cycles
SC 2.5 Trace the organization of simple food chains/food webs
Hibernation and More (K-4)
Winter, BBBRRRR!!! It’s not just “one size fits all”. Some animals flee; some animals sleep; some animals just put up with it. Explore how animals survive the low temperatures, darkness, and depleted food supplies of winter.
National Science Standards met:
NS.K-4.3 LIFE SCIENCE Understand that organisms live in specific environments/ conditions
NS.5-8.3 LIFE SCIENCE Understand regulation and behavior
NS.5-8.3 LIFE SCIENCE Understand populations and ecosystems
NS.5-8.3 LIFE SCIENCE Understand diversity and adaptations of organisms
Ohio Standard: Life Science:
Benchmark B: Explain how organisms function and interact with their physical environment.
Benchmark C: Compare changes in an organism’s ecosystem/habitat that affect its survival.
Ohio Natives (K-8)
You have probably heard the term “Native Americans”--but did you know that animals, and even plants, can also be natives? This program is about animals, and plants, that live in Ohio; some may even live in your back yard! Buckeyes aren’t the only “natives” of Ohio!
National Science Standards met:
NS.K-4.3 LIFE SCIENCE Understand the basic needs of all living organisms: air; food; water; habitat
NS.K-4.3 LIFE SCIENCE Understand that organisms live in specific environments/ conditions
NS.5-8.3 LIFE SCIENCE Understand populations and ecosystems
NS.5-8.3 LIFE SCIENCE Understand diversity and adaptations of organisms
Ohio Standard: Life Science:
Benchmark B: Explain how organisms function and interact with their physical environment..
Benchmark C: Compare changes in an organism’s ecosystem/habitat that affect its survival.
Rainforest
- Layers of Life (K-8)
Tune in to share
the secrets of each layer (floor, understory, canopy, emergent
layer) of this distinctive biome of abundant biodiversity.
Students will review a variety of questions, such as: What
is a rainforest? Where are they? What do they look, feel and
sound like? Why are they so important? Students will meet
a few live rainforest species and also observe an experiment
that turns plant by-product into a product they see almost
daily in their lives. Experiments and live animals will help
your students gain new insights into tropical topics!
National Science Standards met:
NS.5-8.3 LIFE SCIENCE Understand populations and ecosystems
NS.5-8.3 LIFE SCIENCE Understand diversity and adaptations of organisms
SC 4.4 Understand the importance of natural resources; that the environment provides for the needs of living things
SC 4.5 Show beginning understanding of how human activities may alter the environment
SPIDERS AND BATS AND RATS, OH MY! -- (Note: This course fills up fast in anticipation of Halloween!)
Offered October 19 - 31, 2011
In defense of those “scary, yucky and creepy” animals associated with Halloween, The TOLEDO ZOO is offering this special Distance Learning program, Oct. 19-31, 2011. The program cost is $85.00; we are in the Eastern Time Zone.
NS.K-4.3 LIFE SCIENCE Understand that organisms live in specific environments/conditions
NS.5-8.3 LIFE SCIENCE Understand the diversity and adaptations of organisms
NS.5-8.3 LIFE SCIENCE Understand structure and function of living systems
All programs can be
modified to meet specific lesson goals, age levels and experience
levels. Call 419-385-5721, ext. 2044 to discuss your needs.
Other Information:
Call 419-385-5721, ext 2082
or 2044 to arrange date(s) and time(s).
We will send you an online registration form.
Please complete and email it back to address provided on the form.
We can provide classes via IP connections.
Test times are Wednesdays from 2:00 - 4:00
p.m. Eastern time zone. (Please call for IP address)
Maximum of 50 students per session. However,
we suggest no more than 30 for the best experience.
Please call to cancel if weather in your area
closes school. If the Zoo is closed, we will cancel the session.
Fees will be invoiced to whom ever you direct
after program is completed.