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.
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!
Engage
December 9, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern
In this free, live virtual program, students will meet endangered animals and learn what they can do to help.
Need to view the program sooner or want to explore past programs? Check out program recordings from 2025 and 2026.
Language & Access: English, Spanish (simulcast), American Sign Language interpretation, and live English captions.
Click "Register Now" to join us!
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 [email protected].
Click the "Activities" button below to view the activities!
Connect
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 "Meet Kate" button to view!
Meet Sally, a microbiologist that studies microbiomes found in animal poop. As part of her "unZOOsual" career, she uses her investigative skills to uncover tiny bacteria to better understand how we can keep animals strong and healthy.
Click the "Meet Sally" button to view!
Meet Jenn, a registrar who keeps track of the records for each animal at the Zoo and helps them travel to other destinations safely. As part of her "unZoosual" career, she uses her knowledge about permits and regulations to help scientists study animals!
Click the "Meet Jenn" button to view!
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.