Teens

Learn about wildlife conservation and careers in these resources for teens.

Other Duties as Assigned: The Secret World of Zoo Jobs!

Want to know what it's like working at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute? Come along with us behind the scenes, as we answer questions asked by curious students and explore animal care and wildlife conservation.

Download the Video Content Guide to access questions and project-based learning activities for elementary, middle and high school students unique to each video. The Video Content Guide is linked to Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core State Standards for grades K-12.

Small Mammal Biologist

Endocrine Researcher

Landscape Architect

Zoo Curator

Zoo and Wildlife Careers

Career Connections Series

In this video series, meet staff with lesser-known or “unzoosual” careers in science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM). 

To watch the latest episode, click the play button to the left. Visit the Career Connections playlist for more episodes.

Classroom Resources

Self-Paced E-Learning

Learn about six amazing species with conservation success stories that are sure to make you an Earth Optimist!

Smithsonian Learning Lab

Support deep, meaningful learning with an online universe of authentic resources — and tools for making them your own.

Follow That Bird!

A science and technology unit on tracking birds. Access lesson plans, bird profiles, tracking device readings, live bird-tracking data and bird-tracking maps.

Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation Classes

Four students sitting outside are gathered around a dish with murky liquid in it. They are using pipettes to sample the water.

High School Summer Programs for College Credit

Get first-hand exposure to conservation fieldwork and learn how you can contribute to the long-term survival of species in natural habitats. (Offered through George Mason University)