Friday

RPSA has been offering field trips to grades 5-12 during May and June for over 15 years. The program challenges students to work as a team using problem solving skills in a dynamic, inclusive and safe environment while learning the basics of sailing.

• General admission includes:
  • Educational signage about the animals at each exhibit 
  • Keeper Talks
    • A unique and engaging way for guests to connect with Animal Care staff and some of our animals by observing behaviour training and enrichment
  • Areas dedicated to Conservation
    • Wildlife biologists conducting onsite rearing and recovery of local endangered species
  • Observable focus on the 3 R’s (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle)
  • A tour of our behind the scenes compost area upon request
  • Online Animal Library – Information about the Animals at the Zoo
  • Online Teacher Resources with Downloadable Zoo Scavenger Hunts & Educational Activities/Lesson Plans for the Classroom

Please Note: Teachers considering a field trip at the zoo are given a visit free of charge to aid in their lesson planning (identification required)

Please note: all programs are available in French upon request

Inquiry-based learning is incorporated as a main focus for all age groups (encouraging curiosity and observation)

Preschool/Primary

• Pre/K: You and the Zoo
  • Full of fun facts, this is an overview of some of the animals at the Greater Vancouver Zoo. Through observation and questioning, students will learn about animal characteristics, the needs of animals and how these needs are met by their environment. This program also introduces the concept of adaptations and the impact of seasonal changes on living things.
• Grade 1+: Amazing Animal Adaptations
  • Students will use their observation skills to make connections between animals, their unique adaptations and the strategies that facilitate survival, including the impact of seasonal changes, in their different habitats. This program also highlights animal senses and the basic structures and functions of animal body systems.
• Grade 2+: Life Cycles
  • By observing a variety of wildlife, students will learn that all living things have life cycles adapted to their environment and life history path. This program will highlight the importance of life cycles in maintaining a healthy ecosystem.
• Grade 3+: The Web of Life
  • Through examination of an ecosystem, students will learn the importance of biodiversity, how animals interact with their environment, and competition within food webs.

Intermediate/Middle School

• Grade 4+: Animal Super Senses
  • Students will explore various animals and how they use their senses in response to their environment. We will highlight the importance of these adaptations to survival, and how they are connected to all other living things within their ecosystem. This program also discusses how different biomes impact animal responses.
• Grade 5-7+: Animal Organs at Work
  • Students will learn how the various body systems function within the animal kingdom and how they have become specialized to best suit the various needs of wildlife.

Secondary

• Grade 11+: Animal Classifications
  • Students will dive into the world of classification using various examples of the kingdom Animalia here at the zoo. Our knowledgeable zoo staff will describe and demonstrate how scientists observe internal and external features to distinguish and classify animals.

Preschool – University

• Conservation and Endangered Species
  • Learn about the Western Painted Turtle, Oregon Spotted Frog, and Taylor’s Checkerspot Butterfly recovery programs at the Greater Vancouver Zoo and how we’re making a difference. Explore the role of students, accredited zoos, and conservation organizations in protecting species that are threatened with extinction. Students will also learn about the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species and its significance.

A 50-60-minute fun, interactive and educational way to experience the zoo at your location with the use of animal artifacts and live animals. Animals are chosen according to classroom units.

Preschool/Kindergarten

• You and the Zoo 
  • Full of fun facts, this is an overview of some of the animals at the Greater Vancouver Zoo. Learn about some of their features, basic needs and the important role they play in their environment.
• The Animal Alphabet
  • From alligator to zebra, let’s work on our ABC’s while learning about some of our animal friends.
• Animals Moving and Grooving
  • Animals move in different ways – let’s explore animal bodies and why they move the way they do, using interactive play and the help of our animal ambassadors.

Elementary/Middle School

• Amazing Animal Adaptations (Grade 1)
  • Giraffes have long necks, male lions have thick manes, rabbits have big ears, and crocodiles have strong jaws – these are a few of the adaptations that help these animals survive in the wild. Learn about the unique physical features and behaviours that enable animals to adapt to their natural habitats.  
• Life Cycles (Grade 2)
  • From birth to the end of life, animals go through many different changes throughout their lifespan. This program will cover the various survival strategies and life cycles of different animal species.
• The Web of Life (Grade 3-4)
  • No animal is an island – they are all interconnected in many ways. Learn about habitats, ecosystems, biodiversity, and why each animal is important to their community’s survival.
• Super Animal Senses (Grade 4)
  • Did you know grizzly bears can smell food up to 29 kilometers way? Or that bees can find a flower using voltage? Or that some snakes use pits on their face as heat-vision? Those are some big super senses! Let’s learn all about the different ways animals use their super sense to survive in their environments.
• Animal Organs at Work (Grade 5-6)
  • Animals bodies really do work in wonderful ways: most snakes only have one lung, but they are not out of breath, birds are filled with air sacks throughout their entire bodies, and frogs can breathe through their skin! From respiration to reproduction – all body systems are important for the daily functioning of wildlife. Learn about the different ways these systems work in various animals from all over the world!
• Wildlife Conservation (Grade 7)
  • In our changing world, many plants and animals are currently threatened with extinction. Learn about the challenges animals face in the wild and explore the roles and responsibilities individuals, accredited zoos and conservation organizations have in protecting species and why these efforts are important.

Secondary School

• Wildlife Careers (Grade 10-12)
  This program will cover the variety of jobs working with wildlife can offer, how to get into them, what working with animals is like and the importance of zoos in conservation efforts today.
• Classifying the Animal Kingdom (Grade 11)
  What makes a fly an insect, a lion a mammal, and an iguana a reptile? Biologists use many different tools to classify animals into the groups we have today – it is more complicated than it looks! Become a taxonomist and learn how to categorize some of the animal kingdom.
• Wildlife Conservation (Grade 12)
  In our changing world, many plants and animals are currently threatened with extinction. Learn about the challenges animals face in the wild and explore the roles and responsibilities individuals, accredited zoos and conservation organizations have in protecting species and why these efforts are important.
• Animal Organs at Work (Grade 12)
  Animals bodies really do work in wonderful ways: most snakes only have one lung, but they are not out of breath, birds are filled with air sacks throughout their entire bodies, and frogs can breathe through their skin! From respiration to reproduction – all body systems are important for the daily functioning of wildlife. Learn about the different ways these systems work in various animals from all over the world!

Cost
Live animals: $180 plus mileage (Additional consecutive programs are $153) plus tax
No live animals: $4/person (minimum of 10) plus tax

Online Animal Library – Information on Animals at the Zoo https://gvzoo.com/animals/

Online Teacher Resources with Free Downloadable Scavenger Hunts for the zoo & Educational Activities/Lesson Plans for back in the Classroom https://gvzoo.com/learn/teacher-resources/

Taking a closer look at the "life story" of everyday objects, students discover the true "cost" in terms of environmental impact in the production, distribution and disposal of products.  Students are empowered to consider putting into practice a second set of 3 R's: Refuse, Repair and Repurpose.