Home School Programs

Safari Scholars
Ages 5-12 (for Homeschooled and Virtually Educated Students)

The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is pleased to offer a special opportunity to learn about animals, conservation, and environmental issues through interactive lessons in inquiry-based classes. Classes will include animal presentations, touch tables with biofacts, and special tours. Students will be grouped in different classrooms according to age. If a parent is attending with a child, younger siblings and infants will not be permitted in the classroom. When registering for an age group, you are registering for all four days in the semester. Parents will receive a lesson plan of each class for their records. The child will receive a Certificate of Participation at the conclusion of the fourth class.

2010 Fall Semester:
(All sessions are currently available.)

Ages 5&6:  Amazing Adaptations
Life in the wild is all about survival!  Learn how animals use their looks, movement, senses, and other unique characteristics to find food and stay safe.
Day One:  “Hide and Seek” – Learn about animal coloration and camouflage.
Day Two:  “On the Go” – Find out the various ways that animals move.
Day Three:  “Making Sense” – How do animals use their five senses?
Day Four:  “Playing it Safe” – Animals have many defenses.

Ages 7-9:  ZSI:  Zoo Scene Investigation
Get ready to play detective as we investigate animal clues and attempt to unravel some of nature’s mysteries.
Day One: “ Following the Signs” – A look at scat, tracks, and other things animals leave behind.
Day Two:  “A Tangled Web” – Solve the complex puzzle of a food web.
Day Three:  “Going, Going, Gone” – You will take a look at the mystery of endangered species.
Day Four:  “Zoo Clue” – Use your sleuthing skills to solve a mystery at the Zoo!

Ages 10-12:  Behave Yourself!
When it comes to animals “behaving” doesn’t mean minding your manners.  Learn why animals do what they do, and how they interact with each other.
Day One:  “Animal Observations” – Use the scientific method to observe animal behavior.
Day Two:  “Great Communicators” – Discover the many ways and reasons that animals communicate.
Day Three:  “Incredible Instincts” – What are animals born knowing, and what do they learn?
Day Four:  “All in the Family” – Learn about the group dynamics of some of the Zoo’s wild families.

Program Dates:
Mondays (Oct. 4, Oct. 25, Nov. 15, and Dec. 6)

Times:
9:30am-Noon or
1pm-3:30pm

Fees per semester:
Zoo Member rates:
$32/student,
$16/parent attending class,
$24/each additional student from same family

Non-member rates:
$64/student,
$52/parent attending class,
$48/each additional student from same family

Deadline for Mail-in Registration:
September 24, 2010

Registration Form

PDF with all information to photocopy for a friend

Note: There will only be a fall semester for Safari Scholars. No spring semester will be offered this shool year.

If you should have any questions, please e-mail learn@pittsburghzoo.org

Other Programs for Children:
Wildlife Academy Classes
Summer Zoo Camp