Upcoming Webinars
Check the virtual programs calendar for a complete list of upcoming webinars and other distance learning programs. Webinars will be recorded and archived on this page for those who cannot attend the live programs.
April is Earth Optimism Month
Celebrate Earth Optimism with the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute throughout April. All month, we will host free, engaging webinars focused on connecting students to conservation and sustainability, both globally and locally.
Smithsonian Science How: Sea Lions | Wednesday, Apr. 21 at 1 p.m. ET
Join Animal Keepers from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo on a virtual field trip to meet and learn about sea lions! Students will get to see these curious marine mammals and hear some of the special adaptations they have for life in the water. Keepers will also share how they care for sea lions, how they got interested in a career as a Zookeeper, and how students can help protect ocean ecosystems for sea lions and other aquatic species.
Optimized for students Grades 3-5, but open to everyone. 45 minutes scheduled with up to 15 minutes added for extended student Q&A
Registration is requested, but not required. Register.
Conservation Success: Black-Footed Ferret | Thursday, Apr. 22 at 1 p.m. ET
In this Earth Day webinar, we will celebrate the conservation success of the black-footed ferret. Join animal care staff from the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) to hear how they that care for the black- footed ferrets from the time they are kits until they are released into the wild. Then hear from SCBI ecologists who are working in the field to conserve many species in the American Great Plains where black-footed ferrets live. Engage with staff live as they share this conservation success story and share ways students can help save wildlife.
Optimized for students Grades 3-5, but open to everyone. Real-time captioning provided. 45 minutes scheduled with up to 15 minutes added for extended student Q&A
Registration is requested, but not required. Register.
Format
Webinars are free, and registration is not required. Webinars are hosted live via Zoom and are between 30 and 60 minutes long. Students will not be visible to the speaker and moderators, but they will be able to submit questions in writing through a Q&A. Teachers and families, please help students under the age of 13 join the webinar. You may be prompted to enter an attendee name and email. For the attendee's name, please use only the student's first name and for the email address, please enter an adult's email address.
Webinars are live captioned. If you need any additional services, please contact nzp-education@si.edu.
Size
Webinars are open to all on a first-come, first-served basis, with a program cap of 1,000 viewers.
To request a private webinar for your school or group, contact nzp-education@si.edu (special requests are not guaranteed). If you are seeking a private program for a class or group of 10-100 students, visit the school programs page for more information.
Webinar Archive
Take a minute to let us know what you thought of the Wild Side of STEAM webinar series with this short survey.
Meet Zoo web developer, Mohammed, and then try coding using the October Wild Side Wrap-up activity.
Original Air Date: Oct. 9, 2020
Meet Zoo media producer, Roshan, and then try using his B-roll videos to tell your own story in the December Wild Side Wrap-up activity.
Original Air Date: Dec. 4, 2020
Join Juan Rodriguez on a virtual field trip to meet and learn about clouded leopards!
Original Air Date: January 13, 2021.
Join Kyle Miller from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo on a virtual field trip to meet lizards at the Zoo’s Reptile Discovery Center!
Original Air Date: January 27, 2021.
Meet Zoo veterinary pathologist, Kali, and then compare slides of normal and abnormal tissue samples in the March Wild Side Wrap-up activity.
Original Air Date: Apr. 5, 2021
Meet Zoo veterinary technician, Jessica. Then, try a virtual animal exam in the November Wild Side Wrap-up activity.
Original Air Date: Nov. 6, 2020
Meet Zoo population biologist, Kate, and then try finding the best animal matches in the January Wild Side Wrap-up activity.
Original Air Date: Jan. 8, 2021
Meet landscape architect, Matt, and then design an animal habitat in the February Wild Side Wrap-up activity.
Original Air Date: Feb. 5, 2021
Join Thomas Wippenbeck on a virtual field trip to the Zoo’s Amazonia Science Gallery, where he manages and keeps several tanks of live corals!
Original Air Date: January 22, 2021.
Meet Zoo horticulturist, Tina, and hear all about her career in caring for plants.
Original Air Date: Apr. 2, 2021
Questions?
Contact the Zoo's Center for Learning Innovation at nzp-education@si.edu.