Programs AT THE ZOO
Join us in our 40-acre living classroom! From programs that meet Next Generation Science Standards to tips for bringing inquiry learning concepts into your classroom, we carefully design our programs and resources to support you in your teaching efforts, while getting your students engaged and excited about learning.
The Zoo offers a wide variety of formal programs, from September through June, tailored to preschool children through high school students. These standards-based programs are a great complement to your field trip, and offer valuable experiential learning opportunities.
At the Zoo Program Pricing:
All At the Zoo Program prices include admission to the Zoo and the program. *Minimum cost of $255.00 if you have less than 15 students.
- Preschool – 1st Grade – $17/student; 1 free chaperone for every 5 students
- 2nd Grade – High School – $17/student; 1 free chaperone for every 10 students
- Chaperones – $20/additional chaperone
Groups can bring an unlimited amount of additional chaperones at a rate of $20 each. However, we ask that only the free chaperones attend the program to maximize space for program participants. For the health and safety of the animals, we must limit class size to 25 participants per program.
For questions or to book a Zoo program for your group contact Meg Archer, Manager of School Programs, at Marcher@rwpzoo.org or call (401) 785-3510 ext. 361.
Available Programs
Not So Still, Still Life (Kindergarten – High School)
- Animals have been inspiring artists for centuries from the present times to Indonesian cave paintings of babirusa some 39,000 years ago. During this Zoomobile visit, students will have the opportunitiy to have live animal ambassadors as living models to serve as inspiration for an art project.
- Please note that the teacher is responsible for instruction and materials for the project.
Questions? Contact Meg Archer, manager of school programs, at Marcher@rwpzoo.org or call (401) 785-3510 ext. 361.
Our youngest students will have opportunities to observe, ask questions, and make connections to their own experiences while building empathy for animals and the natural world.
Project Cover-Up (Preschool & Pre-Kindergarten)
- Fur? Feathers? Scales? Which animals wear what? Students will compare the coverings of different types of animals and learn how they help them survive.
What’s for Lunch? (Pre-Kindergarten & Kindergarten)
- Plants? Bugs? All animals need food in order to live and grow, but who eats what? Students will explore the different ways animals get there energy and sort animals based on what they eat.
Homes around the World (Pre-Kindergarten & Kindergarten)
- You can find animals everywhere from steamy jungles to bone dry deserts. Students will sort animals into their habitats by looking at the special characteristics they have to survive.
Coming Soon! Slithers and Stories (Pre-Kindergarten & Kindergarten)
Questions? Contact Meg Archer, manager of school programs, at Marcher@rwpzoo.org or call (401) 785-3510 ext. 361.
Elementary students will be encouraged to observe and make inferences as they figure out how the function of structural and behavioral adaptations help animals survive and meet their needs.
Creatures of the Night (Grade 1 – 4)
- Just as we go to sleep at night, a whole new world of animals is waking up! Students will explore the special adaptations nocturnal animals have for surviving at night.
Wild Adaptations (Grades 1 – 4)
- From the freezing tundra to arid deserts, animals have managed to make their homes everywhere. Students will explore the structural and behavioral adaptations that help animals survive.
Insects (Grades 1 & 3)
- What makes an insect an insect? First grade students will explore the special characteristics that make an insect an insect and third grade students will explore the unique life cycles of insects.
Coming Soon! Slithers and Stories
Questions? Contact Meg Archer, manager of school programs, at Marcher@rwpzoo.org or call (401) 785-3510 ext. 361.
Our oldest students will be encouraged to observe and make inferences as they dive deeper into understanding ecosystem dynamics, interdependent relationships, and the role of humans.
We also offer lecture-based programs that may be appropriate for your high school class. More information can be found under the Lecture-Based Programs drop-down.
Web of Life (Grade 5 and Middle School)
- A healthy ecosystem is one in which multiple species of different types are each able to meet their needs in a relatively stable web of life. Students will examine how organisms in a local ecosystem are interrelated.
Symbiotic Symphony (Middle School)
- Animals depend on each other for survival. Whether these relationships are mutually beneficial or not, these dependencies are an important part of an ecosystem.
Species Survival Plan (High School)
- Zoos play an important role in the survival of species and are often referred to as “modern day arks”. This program will walk students through the process of pairing animals for breeding to preserve genetic diversity as part of a comprehensive species survival plan.
Climate Change 101 (Middle and High School)
- This 4-hour workshop will cover heat trapping gases, carbon cycle, lines of evidence, impacts on ecosystems and animals, and solutions.
Questions? Contact Meg Archer, manager of school programs, at Marcher@rwpzoo.org or call (401) 785-3510 ext. 361.
Learning with the zoo is for everyone! We offer lecture based programming that is suitable for high school, university, and adult programming. These lectures are typically 45 minutes to an hour long and consist of a brief lecture followed by meet and greets with three of our ambassador animals.
Topics:
- Animal Care at the Zoo with the following focuses available: Veterinary Care, Animal Wellbeing/Enrichment, Training
- Conservation
- Zoo History
- Climate Change
Questions? Contact Meg Archer, manager of school programs, at Marcher@rwpzoo.org or call (401) 785-3510 ext. 361.