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New in 2022! Conservation Classroom is a collection of monthly lessons for K-5 students. Each lesson has four elements: wonder, engage, act, and connect.
- Wonder: Pre-program videos that introduce the monthly topic.
- Engage: Live, 45-minute virtual program with a Zoo educator.
- Act: Synchronous and asynchronous activities to extend the lesson.
- Connect: Videos that connect students to staff with "unZOOsual" careers.
Programs and materials support Next Generation Science Standards. Many live programs include views of the Zoo’s animals, but seeing animals is never guaranteed. These public programs are designed for a variety of students to join and learn together, from small groups and home-school students to large groups or schools. Programs take place on Zoom in webinar format. In this format, audio and video is disabled but students can actively participate using polls, Q&A and chat. Visit the webinars page for archives of past programs.
December: Suited for Survival
From camouflaging foxes to armored armadillos, learn how unique adaptations help animals survive. This live, interactive virtual program is free and includes live captioning and ASL interpretation.
Grades: K-5
Standards: Supports NGSS K-LS1-1, K-ESS2-2, K-ESS3-1, 1-LS1-2, 2-LS4-1, 3-LS3-1, 3-LS3-2, 3-LS4-3, 4-LS1-1
Wonder
Check back soon for December's "I Wonder" video.
Engage
December 7 at 1 p.m. EST
In this free, live, interactive program, students will learn about adaptations and how they help animals thrive. Program includes live captioning and ASL interpretation.
Grades: K-5
Standards: Supports NGSS K-LS1-1, K-ESS2-2, K-ESS3-1, 1-LS1-2, 2-LS4-1, 3-LS3-1, 3-LS3-2, 3-LS4-3, 4-LS1-1
Act
Check back soon for activities related to December's program.
Connect
Check back soon for December's career connection video.
Plan Ahead: Future Programs
Join us each month during the school year for a different animal topic. See the Virtual Programs Calendar to register.
- December: Suited for Survival, Wednesday, December 7 at 1pm
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January: Migration Pitstops, Wednesday, January 18 at 2pm
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February: Remarkable Reptiles, Wednesday, February 15 at 1pm
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March: Rainforest Walk, Wednesday March 15 at 10am
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April: Saving Endangered Species, Wednesday, April 19 at 10am
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May: Exploring Neighborhood Birds, Wednesday, May 10, 11am
Questions?
Contact the Zoo's Center for Learning Innovation at nzp-education@si.edu.
Past Programs
Aquatic Animal Adventures
From ponds to the ocean, explore aquatic habitats and the animals along the Zoo's American Trail that call them home.
Grades: K-5
Standards: Supports NGSS K-LS1-1, K-ESS2-2, K-ESS3-1, 1-LS1-2, 2-LS4-1, 3-LS3-1, 3-LS3-2, 3-LS4-3, 4-LS1-1
Wonder
I wonder... how are aquatic mammals so good at living in and around water? Bring your curiosity along on an adventure to learn about aquatic habitats and aquatic mammal adaptations.
Engage
Air Date: October 18 at 2 p.m. EDT
In this month's program, we met aquatic and semi-aquatic mammals at the Zoo and learned about their unique adaptations for living in water. Recording includes closed captions and ASL.
Act
During or after the live program, check students' knowledge on aquatic adaptations in a quick matching activity (K-1). Then, create your own aquatic superhero (K-5) and send your drawings to us at nzp-education@si.edu.
Connect
Meet Vivian who knows all about aquatic environments. In her "unZOOsual" career, Vivian uses biology, chemistry, engineering and technology to keep the Zoo's aquatic habitats safe for our animals!
Educator's Materials
Conservation Classroom: Aquatic Animal Adventures is best suited for grades K-5. The full lesson consists of two videos, a live program, and two activities. Refer to the one-page Educator's Guide or Smithsonian Learning Lab collection to help teach this lesson.
Wild Medicine
What happens to a seal who has a toothache? How does an orangutan get a checkup? Join our team of veterinarians to explore how animals go to the doctor, just like us!
Grades: K-5
Standards: Supports NGSS K-LS1-1, 3-LS1-1, 4-LS1-1
Wonder
I wonder... Do animals at the Zoo go to the doctor? Bring your curiosity along on an exploration of the Zoo's animal hospital.
Engage
Air Date: November 9 at 2 p.m. EST
In this free, live, interactive program, students will learn more about animal health while watching an animal get a check-up! Program includes live captioning, ASL interpretation and Spanish translation.
Grades: K-5
Standards: Supports NGSS K-LS1-1, 3-LS1-1, 4-LS1-1
Act
During or after the live program, compare items found in a doctor's and veterinarian's office in a sorting activity. Then practice reading radiographs with an x-ray matching activity.
Connect
Meet Veterinarian, Dr. Katharine, and Veterinary Technician, Dave, whose patients include animals big and small throughout the Zoo. Their "unZOOsual" careers use biology and technology to keep animals at the Zoo heathy!
Educator's Materials
Conservation Classroom: Wild Medicine is designed for grades K-5 but open to all. The full lesson consists of two videos, a live program, and three activities. Refer to the one-page Educator's Guide (coming soon!) or Smithsonian Learning Lab collection to help teach this lesson.