let the zoo come to you

Imagine the thrill of seeing our ambassador animals right in your classroom or organization! Get up close and personal with our captivating creatures as our expert staff share stories and information that are sure to leave an impression. Whether you’re a classroom, community group, or corporate event, our Live on Location program promises an unforgettable adventure that transcends the traditional learning experience and captivates learners of all ages.

Outreach Live on Location (in-person)

Available for locations within 60 miles radius of the Phoenix Zoo

Duration: PreK Program: 30 – 45 minutes | All Other Programs: 1 hour

Cost: $250 per Classroom | $275 Non educational (Discounts available for 3 or more programs booked.)

Maximum Group Size: 30 participants for ages 5 and under | 75 participants for ages 6 and up

How to Book: Fill out the request form (three weeks advance notice required for scheduling)

Outreach Live (virtual program)

Duration: PreK Program: 30 – 45 minutes | All Other Programs: 1 hour

Cost: $125 per Classroom | $175 Non educational (Discounts available for 3 or more programs booked.)

Maximum Group Size: 40 participants

How to Book: Fill out the request form (three weeks advance notice required for scheduling)

Pre-Kindergarten Topics:

Each topic lasts 30-45 minutes and will include an interactive story in addition to live animals.

Colorful Animal Friends

Follow along as we read ‘Sylvie: The Colorful Flamingo’ by Jennifer Sattler and learn about colors in the animal kingdom and that being yourself is the best thing to be! 

Expedition Arizona

From cacti to coyotes, the deserts of Arizona are full of life! Come along on this imaginary expedition as we read ‘The Seed and the Giant Saguaro’ by Jennifer Ward, meet animals, learn and explore the desert you call home.

Animal Habitats

Follow along with Bear in the story ‘Welcome Home, Bear’ by Il Sung Na as he explores different habitats and tries to find the best home. Then meet our animal ambassadors and learn about their habitats.

Active Animals

Can you move like the animals do? Play along with us as we read ‘In the Tall, Tall Grass’ by Denise Fleming and activate our bodies to wiggle our way through the ways that different animals move all day long.

Sharing Our World

We share our world with many living things, from flowers to snakes and spiders to hedgehogs. Meet some amazing creatures and celebrate the beauty of nature with the book ‘Our Big Home’ by Linda Glaser.

Our Five Senses

How do we use our five senses? Do animals use their senses, too? Let’s find out! We’ll enjoy the book ‘All of Me is Nature’ by Ashley Renee Jefferson, inspiring us to use our senses to explore the natural world. Then we’ll meet some animals and find out how they use their senses, too.

 

Elementary Topics:

Our elementary school aged topics are designed to align with Arizona State Academic Standards. Each topic lasts 45-60 minutes and will include live animals.

Ultimate Desert Champion

Meet some of the animals who call the Sonoran Desert home. Learn how they survive in this challenging environment. Vote for the ultimate desert champion and discover how you can be an Ultimate Desert Champion, too!

 

High School – Adult Topics:

Each topic lasts 60 minutes and will include live animals.

More Than a ZooKeeper

How many people does it take to run a zoo? Zookeepers make up many zoo employees, but there’s also a lot of work that goes on behind-the-scenes at zoos every day! Discover many of the STEAM career opportunities that the zoo offers while learning from our Outreach instructor and animal ambassadors.

Conservation Crash Course

Discover the Phoenix Zoo’s role as a conservation organization and how zoos and Conservation Biologists work to protect wildlife and the natural world.

PicasZoo: Animal Art

PicasZoo is a program designed to bring out the ‘art’ in everyone, including our ambassador animals. During this offering, participants will use their artistic skills to draw, paint, mold, or photograph an ambassador animal. Then, an ambassador animal will create a unique art piece of their own using a custom-built gadget that supports animal choice to paint on canvas.  This program not only highlights art but also the Association of Zoos and Aquariums practice in animal training with choice and control. Perfect for art classes and clubs that want a live animal subject and to learn more about animals creating art. 
 

 

All Audiences: 

Each topic lasts 60 minutes and will include live animals.

Animal Kingdom

Great for all audiences. From fur to feathers, scales to exoskeletons, discover the characteristics of the animal world. Identify and learn about the similarities and differences that help us categorize animals into distinct scientific groups.

Ask a Zoo Expert

Customize your program to fit your needs and passion! Just tell us what your group is interested in or studying, and we will design a program just for you. Some examples are nocturnal creatures, desert adaptations, and rainforests. After you’ve booked your program, a member of our Outreach team will contact you to discuss your needs

Love the Zoo?

The Arizona Center for Nature Conservation advances the stewardship and conservation of animals and their habitats while providing experiences that inspire people and motivate them to care for the natural world.

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