Discovery Programs at the Zoo
Available for Student Groups ~ PreK through CollegeThese formal school group presentations were designed to provide students with a foundation of information about one animal, group of animals or habitat displayed at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. All Discovery Programs include professional instruction and a hands-on experience with animal artifacts.
Most programs take place in the Education Center Classrooms and last 30-45 minutes, depending on group size. The Puget Sound Habitat Discovery program meets in the Marine Discovery Center and last up to 60 minutes. This program is also limited to 15 students per program.
You may also download Field Discovery activity sheets for students to complete with their groups in the Zoo following their program. These activities include Student Logs and Chaperone Guides. Students will have fun making scientific observations and their chaperones will appreciate suggestions to help guide their students.
$50 for groups of 5 - 30 students
$60 for groups of 31 - 40 students
$70 for groups of 41 - 50 students
Multiple programs may be scheduled for the same day. Due to limited classroom and staff availability we are unable to offer simultaneous programming.
Please call 253-591-5333 to schedule your field trip and Discovery Program at least two weeks in advance of your planned field trip date.
Arctic Tundra Animals
Students will find out about the wild and woolly world of polar bears, reindeer, arctic fox and musk oxen and make connections about how these Tundra animals are able to survive in their chilly home. Hands-on items include pelts, a polar bear skull model and a reindeer antler.
Asian Forest Animals
There are forests all over the world, filled with wondrous wildlife. Students will discover how forest animals in Washington compare to those in Southeast Asia as they look closely at real tiger fur, an elephant tooth and models of a tiger and a tapir skull.
Marine Mammals
We'll transform one of your students into a marine mammal as we discuss how these big, blubbery animals make their lives in the sea and on Rocky Shores. Biofacts include a walrus tusk, sea otter fur and more.
Ocean Invertebrates
Some are squishy, some are pokey, but these spineless wonders all suited for survival. Students will discover these animals through colorful costumes and a visit to the Marine Discovery Center's touch tank. (This program meets at the Marine Discovery Center.)
NEW! Polar Bears
Polar bears are the biggest of all the bears. Their fur is hollow, their skin is black, and their paws are perfect for paddling in the chilly Arctic Ocean. Students will find out how these special bears survive and learn a song they won't soon forget!
Red Wolves
Students will be excited to learn about this amazing endangered species. They will find out why there are so few red wolves left in North America, where they can be found and what is being done to help protect them. This program also includes a hands-on experience with a red wolf pelt, skull and radio tracking collar.
Sharks
Dive deep into the world of sharks. Students will find out about shark fins, gills, teeth and special skin with the help of a puppet and a song. They'll also examine shark jaws and skin. This program meets at the Education Center but students are encouraged to visit the sharks in the South Pacific Aquarium either before or after their program.
Arctic Tundra
Like a frozen desert, the tundra challenges the survival of the animals that live there. Find out how polar bears, muskoxen, reindeer and arctic foxes manage to make their homes in this barren landscape. Students will touch polar bear fur, a musk ox pelt and reindeer antlers.
Asian Forests
We'll discuss habitats, animal needs and how humans use forest resources before students venture out to hike through the Asian Forest Sanctuary. They'll also examine a real tiger fur, an elephant tooth and models of a tiger and a tapir skull. During their self-guided field exploration, students never know where they will find these elusive forest creatures in our rotating exhibits.
NEW! Polar Bears
These great white bears are the largest predator on land, but at the same time, they are marine mammals and need the sea ice to survive. Students will find out how these incredible Arctic inhabitants survive and how their icy home is changing so quickly that they need our help.
Puget Sound
Join us in our Marine Discovery Center to discover some of the amazing organisms found in Puget Sound. Students will examine live plankton using microscopes and touch marine invertebrates such as crabs and sea stars, all under the guidance of our expert educators. This program is limited to 15 students per program, but multiple programs may be booked. This program runs 45-60 minutes and meets in the Discovery Center.
Red Wolves
Red Wolves are a local success story despite being native only to the Southeastern United States. Students will find out how scientists believe these elusive animals became endangered and what is currently being done to protect their habitat. This program also includes a hands-on experience with a red wolf pelt, skull and radio tracking collar.
Rocky Shores
Discover how marine mammals are adapted to survive the cold temperatures, rough seas and jagged coasts of the North Pacific Ocean. Students will blab about blubber, touch sea otter fur, see a seal skull and hold a walrus tusk before visiting the amazing marine animals at the Rocky Shores exhibit with their chaperones.
Sharks
Students will compare sharks to bony fish and discover the truth about these often feared predators. They'll also examine shark skin, jaws and an egg case. Before or after this shark science session, students may visit our large tropical sharks in the South Pacific Aquarium.
NEW! Marine Mammals
Sea otters, pinnipeds, cetaceans and even polar bears have all evolved to depend on the ocean for survival. Students will learn about how each of these groups is specially adapted to life in a marine habitat. Biofacts include a sea otter pelt, walrus tusk, gray whale baleen and articulated pinniped flipper.
NEW! Polar Bears and Climate Change
These incredible marine mammals are superbly adapted to live along the rocky and icy shores of the Arctic Ocean. However, increasing global temperatures have led to decreases in bear populations due to a variety of factors that will be discussed during this program. Students will be encouraged to consider making a personal behavior change that will lessen their own impact on global climate change.
Red Wolves
While red wolf captive breeding programs, including here in Pierce County, have helped to increase wild red wolf populations from 14 to over 100, these elusive animals are still critically endangered. Students will learn the suspected causes of their near extinction and find out what is being done today to protect them in their rapidly shrinking habitat.
Sharks
Many of us are fascinated by or possibly afraid of these specialized fish. Students will learn about shark adaptations, their role in marine ecosystems and the challenges shark populations face in the oceans today.
Some animals have teeth for grinding up plants while others sport teeth adapted for tearing the flesh of their prey. Still others have a little of both! Students will test their scientific observation skills as they classify and identify real skulls and skull models.
Zoological Careers
Students will gather information about what it takes to work with wildlife in a zoological setting. We'll discuss the skills, education and experience required to enter this competitive field, and talk about what a typical work day is like at a zoo and aquarium.
Zoos: Working for the World's Wildlife
Discover how zoos serve as sanctuaries and conservation advocates for global species. Highlighted projects include breeding programs for endangered species and education efforts both at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium and in situ around the world. (High school and College students only).
