EDUCATION
CORE EDUCATION TOPICS
EDUCATION
Educational Programming Tailored to Your Students' Needs
At John Ball Zoo, we’re committed to providing a high-quality educational experience for every student. Our onsite, offsite, and virtual learning programs are designed to meet the educational standards of your students’ grade level, so they can learn and grow while having fun!
Our Education team understands how to engage students of all ages in exciting learning experiences. They know that not every kid learns the same way, which is why we offer a variety of activities and materials that can be adapted to fit your child’s needs. We offer programs that meet the educational standards of students at their grade level, which means they’ll have an engaging experience that is relevant and interesting to them.
Core Education Topics
John Ball Zoo’s Wild Encounter, Zoo Explorer Tour and Traveling Zoo Programs are designed to teach the following science topics to your students. Other, more customized programs are also available upon request.
Zoo Explorer Tours please choose from topics marked with asterisks**
Preschool - Kindergarten
- Body Coverings: Experience the furry, feathery and scaly side of the animal world and learn why animals have these amazing coverings.
- Michigan Wildlife: Explore the wild side of Michigan and learn more about the animals that might be right in your backyard.
- Animal Senses: Explore your own senses as well as those that animals use to survive.
- **Animal Essentials: Learn animals' basic needs and how they satisfy these needs to survive.
1st - 3rd Grade
- **Animal Classification: Students learn how scientists group and classify animals based on their similarities and differences.
- Growing Up Wild: We'll explore animals, their young and how they each grow up differently.
- Habitats: Learn the basic needs of animals and how they meet those needs in the different types of habitats, from deserts to wetlands.
4th Grade and Above
- **Animal Adaptations: Get an up-close look at the amazing physical and behavioral adaptations animals use to survive.
- Predator-Prey: Learn about adaptations that help predators find prey and how potential prey avoid being eaten while exploring the relationships these animals have with each other.
- **Connections: Learn to recognize the connections between animals and plants, and how they effect the flow of energy through an ecosystem.
- **Wildlife Conservation: Learn what you can do and what others are doing to help protect wildlife and their habitats around the world.