Home
Franklin Park Zoo
Stone Zoo
EdZOOcation is so much fun, we can't BEAR it!
Bill Marquardt
Join us this spring for our EdZOOcation classes, offered February through May! Each 3- or 5-week session will focus on a different theme, and children will get the opportunity to see animals up-close while learning all about them! These programs are offered to children ages 7-10.
Taught by Zoo educators, classes include hands-on activities, discussion, animal encounters and behind-the-scenes experiences. Each program includes progressive program topics focused on teaching students about animals and their interactions within their ecosystems.
Please note: Details and registration for April and May sessions will be posted in January.
Dates: March 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29
Time: 3:00-4:30
Capacity: 12
Ages: 7-10
Price: $170 for members, $190 for non-members
March 1: Mystical Adaptations
In our first class together we’re going to get more comfortable with adaptations. What is an adaptation? How do animals adapt? This class will prepare us for the amazing and unique adaptations that exist out in nature!
March 8: Fur, Feathers & Scales
Now that we have an understanding of what adaptations are, let’s dive in to a more specific adaptation type: body coverings! What purpose do fur, feathers, or scales have for individual animals? Today we’re going to highlight some of the most unique body coverings.
March 15: Cool Colors
We’re going to go beyond what we know about body coverings and learn about the animal colors. Is it important to blend in or stand out? We’re going to find the rarest of the rare colorings in the animal world!
March 22: Antlers, Claws & Teeth
We may already be able to name some unique body parts that animals have, such as antlers, claws, or sharp teeth. Today, we’re going to take a closer look at some of these adaptations and find out why they may not look the same from animal to animal.
March 29: Dare I say, defenses?
We will wrap our Wonders of the Animal World series by taking a look at some of the ways animals keep themselves safe. We'll go beyond quills, stenches, and camouflage, or will we? You’ll have to join us to find out!
Dates:
April 5, 12 & 26
Price:
$102 for members, $114 for non-members
Time:
3:00-4:30 pm
April 5: Insect Pollinators
We have a lot to thank our pollinator friends for! Let’s start April’s EdZOOcation session by chatting about who we usually imagine when we think of pollinators: insects! We’ll specifically look at what types of plants they pollinate, why they are so important, and how we can help these tiny creatures!
April 12: Bird Pollinators
There’s more to the pollinator community than just insects – there are also lots of birds who pollinate! In today’s class we’re going to learn about our feathered friends who help to pollinate the lovely plants near us! We’ll chat about what makes these birds so important and how we can help them!
April 26: Who else Pollinates?
In our final class we’ll spotlight any creature that isn’t an insect and isn’t a bird who helps to pollinate. By the end of today’s class, we’ll be pollinator experts!
Dates:
May 3, 10 & 17, 24 & 31
Price:
$170 for members, $190 for non-members
Time:
3:00-4:30 pm
May 3: Magnificent Mammals
Let’s talk mammals! What makes a mammal, a mammal? Who are mammals? In today’s class we’ll chat about some animals that are familiar to us, and we’ll learn about animals we didn’t realize were mammals at all!
May 10: Rockin’ Reptiles
Today, we’ll be talking all about reptiles! The slimy, the scaley, and the slithering! Bring your knowledge of these animals or get ready to learn all there is to know about them!
May 17: Amazing Amphibians
Now we’ll really talk about the slimy. Our amphibian pals are ready to shine! Let’s chat about these awesome animals! As you get ready to explore outside, maybe you’ll be ready to spot some of these out in nature!
May 24: Interesting Insects
Creepy crawlies are curious creatures! Time to chat about the tiny, many-legged critters that tends to make our hair stand on end! Maybe you’ll leave class with a new appreciation for these friends!
May 31: Beautiful Birds
Falcons, eagles, owls, oh my! In our final class of the month, we’re going to highlight our feathered friends, what makes them so unique and which birds we can keep an eye out for in our own backyards!
Classes will be limited to 12 participants and held indoors, with certain activities and zoo walks that will be held outdoors. Face masks will be optional during this program. We encourage thorough hand-washing, and will be providing opportunities to wash and sanitize hands throughout the duration of the program. Due to new COVID-19 regulations, we are not able to offer opportunities to touch any of our ambassador animals that we will be meeting. Additionally, parent/guardian and unregistered sibling/friend attendance is not permitted.
