We offer a variety of programs that can enhance your classroom lesson, camp program, or community event! Check out the different offerings below for our Zoo To You programs where we bring nature and science to you. We have new virtual programs that are sure to excite your group!
Teachers - Check out how our programs support NGSSS on our Outreach Program Standards document!
Zoom with Zoo Miami! These program are designed to bring the fun of Zoo Miami to your kids groups whether you are a camp, library, or other organization! These programs are a 30-minute, interactive, educational experience with one of our knowledgeable educators. Our educator will conduct activities with your group on Zoom and provide 1 recorded animal encounter. Each program is $80 with a maximum of 50 participants (including adults and children).
This is not a virtual tour of Zoo Miami but a focused interactive program.
Contact Zoo Miami Foundation at education@zoomiami.org or 305-255-5551 to ask questions or book a program. Payment for program is due 7 days prior to the date of the program.
Available Topics:
Sensational Senses
Let's explore the 5 senses! Did you know that predator and prey have different eye positions? There is so much to discover in the sensory world. Can you sense this will be a fun and engaging way to explore senses with your students?
Creature Feature
Want your students to learn about adaptations and how they help animals survive in their habitats? This program will explore physical, behavioral, and functional adaptations in the animal kingdom. Let's get wild!
Animal Jeopardy
This game of Jeopardy is sure to entertain as we test our knowledge of animals and explore what Zoo Miami does for conservation. Categories include Zoo Miami history, conservation at Zoo Miami, mammals, birds, and reptiles. Don’t forget to say “What is...”.
Story of the Florida Panther
Join us for the story of the Florida panther, a silent predator in Florida that almost went extinct and is slowly making a comeback through conservation efforts. Learn about panther adaptations, habitats, and habitat loss/fragmentation through this interactive program.
Audience: Special needs individuals
Organization Requirement: Located in Miami-Dade County
Application Deadline: February 28, 2022
Zoo Miami Foundation, thanks to the support of The Miami Foundation, is providing a FREE virtual environmental education program for special needs students. ZMF's inclusive educational programs are an excellent opportunity for students to explore science through interactive programming. Our programs increased engagement of students in science as well as increased science knowledge.
Applicants selected will receive the following:
Virtual Creature Feature - A Zoom presentation about adaptations using biofacts and a pre-recorded animal video presentation (30 min. program).
Virtual Enrichment Making - An arts/crafts lesson to build an enrichment item (activity) for animals at Zoo Miami (materials provided- 30 min.).
Virtual Zoo Miami Visit- A virtual tour of a lobe/area of Zoo Miami (30 min.).
Selected applicants will be expected to:
Participate in all 3 above outlined outreaches between February - May, 2022.
Complete a survey after participation as part of our program evaluation.
If you have any questions about the program before applying please contact education@zoomiami.org or 305-255-5551.
**Limited number of programs awarded so not all applicants can be selected.
Required Grade Level: 3rd,4th, and 5th grade
Organization Requirement: Class at a Miami-Dade County Public School
Application Deadline: February 28, 2022
Apply for this FREE educational program that supports the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards! This program is designed to support the classroom curriculum and is all about adaptations both physical and behavioral. Click here to see how this program meets the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards for your grade level. Your student’s science knowledge will improve as we reinforce science concepts through this engaging virtual program.
Applicants selected will receive the following:
Two (2) Zoocademy lessons – These are lessons and/or at-home assignments teachers can use for their class. One lesson focuses on physical adaptations and the other focuses on behavioral adaptations.
Two (2) virtual outreaches – Interact with a Zoo Educator live virtually through Zoom or another platform! These outreaches support the provided Zoocademy lessons. We will be going on a virtual scavenger hunt and collecting data during a meerkat observation study.
Selected applicants will be expected to:
Submit photo documentation of conducting Zoocademy lessons with their class to redeem their virtual field trip.
Complete Zoocademy lessons and virtual outreaches by May 30th, 2022.
Complete a 5 minute survey after receiving the 2 virtual outreaches to provide program feedback.
If you have any questions about the program before applying please contact education@zoomiami.org or 305-255-5551.
**Limited number of programs awarded so not all applicants can be selected.
Age Group: 4-5 years of age
Organization Requirement: Title 1 school or organization focused on low-income communities
Application Deadline: February 28, 2022
This 30-minute interactive program will grow children’s understanding of the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling. Children will play a game learning how to and what gets recycled as well as experience a special recorded animal encounter with one of Zoo Miami’s animal ambassadors using an enrichment made of recycled materials!
**Limited number of programs awarded so not all schools/organizations can be selected.
Check out pncgrowupgreat.com for free early education tips and resources!
Educational animal presentations where our trained Educators bring 5 animal ambassadors for close-up encounters focusing on one of the topics below. Programs are 45 minutes in length for up to 60 participating individuals for $250. May request mulitiple sessions at $100 for each additional session.
Contact Zoo Miami Foundation at education@zoomiami.org or 305-255-5551 to ask questions or book a program.
Programs may vary depending on ambassador animal availability. Please allow 3 weeks advance notice to book and note that additional travel fees may apply. Additional travel fees apply to locations more than 20 miles from the zoo.
Creature Feature
Why do animals vary in shapes, colors, and sizes? Explore how animals are built to survive in harsh environmental conditions through their unique adaptations.
Recommended age group: All ages
Sensational Senses
Learn how animals detect the world around them as they seek to find food, water, and shelter? This interactive program will reinforce the five senses children are discovering as they grow.
Recommended age group: Kindergarten – 5th grade
These programs are designed for participants to tackle a real world problems and observe the result of the proposed solution. Programs are 45 minutes in length for up to 60 participating individuals for $250. May request mulitiple sessions at $100 for each additional session.
Contact Zoo Miami Foundation at education@zoomiami.org or 305-255-5551 to ask questions or book a program.
Please allow 3 weeks advance notice and note that additional travel fees may apply. Additional travel fees apply to locations more than 20 miles from the zoo.
Enriching Science
Enrichment is a part of daily animal healthcare at Zoo Miami. It brings out an animal’s natural behaviors through physical and mental exercises, such as bears having to roll a barrel to get the food out to forage. In this program, create an enrichment for one of Zoo Miami’s animal ambassadors under the guidance of one of our Educators. A video recording will be sent to you that will allow your students to analyze if the enrichment was a success. Great project if you are teaching the scientific method!
Recommended age group: 4th-12 grade