The Staten Island Zoo Travels To Outside Classrooms

For classes or groups that cannot come to the Staten Island Zoo, or for those who wish to add an extra dimension to their classroom curriculum, The Traveling Zoo is an adventure in nature appreciation and self-discovery that brings your class nose-to-nose with live animals.

Here are the topics that you can choose from for your visit:

Let's Be Sensible -"What animals use sound locate food?" We explore the human senses and then turn our sights towards a variety of animals. Students realize how different creatures' eyes, noses, ears, hands and mouths work differently in different habitats. Find out how special sense organs such as whiskers and antennae are used. Suggested grades: Pre-K-2

It's Alive! - "What makes something alive?" In this program, we will discover the main processes that define living things: eating, breathing, growing and reproducing. From laying eggs to constricting prey, we will look at a variety of ways with which animals carry out these functions. Suggested grades: Pre-K-2

Animal Shapes and Colors - "Why is a zebra striped?" In this program students can use their knowledge of shapes and colors to identify them in nature. They will review some familiar shapes and some animals that look like them. They will discover why an animal's colors can be critical for their survival. Suggested grades: Pre-K-2
Sounding Off! - "Why do birds sing and dolphins click?" In this program students will discover a variety of unique animal sounds and learn why animals make them. They will also get to use their vocal chords to imitate animal sounds. Suggested grades: Pre-K-2

We're All Relatives - "Which group of animals can regularly absorb water through their skin?" This introduction to animal classification will highlight differences between vertebrate (backboned) groups and invertebrates (insects, mollusks and others). Activities help students identify the key features of fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Suggested grades: Pre-k-5

What's In Your Backyard? -"What animals can you see without going to the zoo?" Find out about the diversity of New York's animal inhabitants. Students will be surprised to learn that there are animals other than pigeons and squirrels living in their backyards. Suggested grades: Pre-K-8 (and older)

Predator/Prey - "How can a population of lynx control a population of hares?" This program focuses on predator/prey relationships, with emphasis on adaptations of predators and prey. Students will also discover the interconnectedness of predator and prey populations. Suggested grades: K-8 (and older)

Cool Classes - (Choice of one: Bird, Mammal, Amphibian, Reptile or Fish.) Each program will explore one class of vertebrates. You can choose to learn about birds, the only animals with feathers and a modern day link to dinosaurs; mammals, a class of fur covered animals, including humans; amphibians, animals who spend part of their life in water and part of it on land; reptiles, a diverse class of cold-blooded animals covered in scales; or fish, the wet, scaly, gill breathing animals who live in a world still being discovered. Suggested grades: K-8 (and older)

African Safari - "How does a frog survive in the dry season?" Join us as we go on an imaginary African adventure. We will take a peek at the unique climate of these African grasslands. Meet some of the animals that must cope with the Savannah's seasonally hot and dry conditions by migrating or burrowing underground! Teacher Activity Packet available in PDF format for downloading. Suggested grades: K-8 (and older)

Radical Rainforest - "How do some bats help trees to reproduce?" We will travel through the vegetation layers of this most diverse ecosystem and pay particular attention to the spectacular relationships between rainforests, plants and animals. Find out why rainforests are important to global health and learn what we can do to protect these threatened places. Teacher Activity Packet available in PDF format for downloading. Suggested grades: K-8 (and older)

Animal Adaptations -"What animal squirts blood from its eyes?" Features that help animals to survive and reproduce are known as adaptations. In this program, we will look at physical characteristics and behaviors that lend to the success of a species. Activities focus on the bizarre adaptations that animals employ when eating, defending themselves, finding mates, securing territories and more. Suggested grades: 3-8 (and older)

Going, Going, Gone! - "What caused the great dinosaur extinction?" What is causing animals to rapidly disappear today? From illegal animal trade to habitat loss, we will investigate some of the reasons that so many living things are threatened or endangered. Learn what people can do to save the earth's biodiversity? Suggested grades: 3-8 (and older)

Incredible Invertebrates - "Could we survive without bugs?" By far the bulk of animals on Earth are invertebrates - animals without backbones. This term describes many huge groups of living things that we all depend on for survival. Discover the fascinating world of Arthropods (insects, spiders, crustaceans and their kin) as we identify their key features, amazing adaptations and unique ecological roles. Suggested grades: 3-8 (and older)

Note: If you see a program topic that is not listed for your grade, or do not see a topic you would like to explore, please call the education office at least 6 weeks before your planned visit and we can tailor a program to fit your needs.

SPECIAL CLASSES for HIGH SCHOOL:

Careers with Animals - Accountants to Zookeepers, microbiologists and mechanics. Discover the diversity and excitement of working with animals. Suggested grades: 9-12

We offer specially designed versions of Animal Behavior, Careers with Animals, What's In Your Backyard? Predator/Prey and Cool Classes.

These programs are made possible in part by the Natural Heritage Trust of the New York State Office of Parks and Recreation and Historic Preservation. The Staten Island Zoo is a New York City owned facility and is supported in part by the City of New York through an annual appropriation from the Department of Cultural Affairs.

These programs are also partially funded by New York State Senator Andrew Lanza, Assemblyman Matthew Titone and Staten Senator Diane Savino.

Note: This is a classroom program that is NOT appropriate for auditorium presentations.

Programs last approximately 45 minutes and we must be contracted to do three classes for the day.

For further information about these programs including program fees, please contact the Zoo's Education Department at 442-3174, ext. 33