What does it mean when an animal is endangered and what can we do to help? Meet one of the National Zoo’s most endangered species and learn how staff care for these special animals.
This virtual school program is part of Conservation Classroom, a collection of monthly lessons for K-5 students. Each lesson has four elements: wonder (video), engage (live virtual program), act (activities), and connect (video). Follow along with all four parts or pick and choose the videos and activities you want to explore.
K-5
Supports NGSS K-LS1-1, K-ESS3-1, 1-LS1-2, 2-LS4-1, 3-LS3-1, 3-LS3-2, 3-LS4-3, 5-ESS3-1
endangered species, conservation
Free
Wonder
I wonder... what does it mean to be endangered? Explore endangered species, why we should care and things we can do to help them survive.
Click the "Watch Video" button below to watch this I Wonder video.
Preguntarse
Me pregunto… ¿qué significa estar en peligro de extinción? Explore las especies en peligro de extinción, por qué deberíamos preocuparnos y qué podemos hacer para ayudarlas a sobrevivir.
Haga clic en el botón "Ver video" a continuación para ver este video de Me pregunto
Engage
Access the recording to enjoy the program that aired on April 9, 2025.
In this free, live virtual program, students met two endangered species and learned what they can do to help. Check out last year's recording if you'd like to see other animals.
Language & Access: English, Spanish (simulcast), American Sign Language interpretation, and live English captions.
Comprometer
Acceda a la grabación para disfrutar del programa que se emitió el 9 de abril de 2025.
En este programa virtual gratuito y en vivo, los estudiantes conocieron dos especies en peligro de extinción y aprendieron cómo ayudar. Si quieres ver otros animales, consulta la grabación del año pasado.
Idioma y acceso: Inglés, español (transmisión simultánea), interpretación en lenguaje de señas americano y subtítulos en inglés en vivo.
Act
During the live program, follow along circling conservation actions that save species. After the program, write and draw your Earth Day pledge. Share your drawings with us at nzp-education@si.edu.
Click the "Activities" button below to view the activities.
Acto
Durante el programa en vivo, sigue las acciones de conservación que salvan especies. Después del programa, escribe y dibuja tu compromiso para el Día de la Tierra. Comparte tus dibujos con nosotros en nzp-education@si.edu.
Haga clic en el botón "Actividades" a continuación para ver las actividades.
Connect
Click the "Population Ecologist" button below to meet Kate, a Population Ecologist who helps protect endangered species in zoos and aquariums. As part of her "unZOOsual" career, Kate uses data to help make decisions about conserving animal populations in human care and in the wild.
Click the "Zoo Educator" button below to meet Kaden, a zoo educator who inspires us all to take action to protect wildlife and wild places. As part of their "unZOOsual" career, Kaden works in-front-of and behind the camera to create amazing educational content for viewers like you!
Conectar
Haga clic en el botón "Gestión de la Población" a continuación para conocer Kate, ecóloga de poblaciones que ayuda a proteger especies en peligro de extinción en zoológicos y acuarios. Como parte de su trayectoria profesional "unZOOsual", Kate utiliza datos para tomar decisiones sobre la conservación de poblaciones animales bajo cuidado humano y en la naturaleza.
Haga clic en el botón "Zoo Educator" a continuación para conocer Kaden, un educador de zoológico que nos inspira a todos a actuar para proteger la vida silvestre y los espacios naturales. Como parte de su trayectoria "unZOOsual", Kaden trabaja delante y detrás de la cámara para crear contenido educativo increíble para espectadores como tú.
For Educators
Educator's Materials
Conservation Classroom: Saving Endangered Species is best suited for grades K-5. The full lesson consists of two videos, a live program, and two activities. Refer to the Smithsonian Learning Lab collection to help teach this lesson.
Letter to Guardians
After participating in the live program, print or send the following letter to guardians, explaining what their student learned in this lesson and how they can continue to engage from home.
Carta para el tutor
Después de participar en el programa en vivo, imprima o envíe la siguiente carta a los tutores, explicando lo que su estudiante aprendió en esta lección y cómo pueden continuar participando desde casa.
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Supports NGSS 2-PS1-2, 2-LS2-2, 2-LS4-1, 3-LS1-1, 3-LS3-1, 3-LS3-2, 3-LS4-3, 4-LS1-1, 5-LS2-1, MS-LS1-4, MS-LS1-5, MS-LS2-A
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