Did you know the Maryland Zoo has free admission for pre-registered school groups? See the details in the Self Guided Safari description below!

• Training/Professional Development Opportunities
• Education Gone Wild Brochure
• Self-Guided Safari - Basic Field Trip
• Zoo Introduction Programs
• Downloads
• Guided Tours
• Zoolabs
• Polar Bears International

Printable School Visit Reservation Form

Contact the Education Department with any questions you may have:
Phone: 443.552.5300 

Training/Professional Development Opportunities

The Zoo offers staff development, in-service and pre-service workshops throughout the year for teaching majors, schoolteachers, educators, group leaders and school administrators. Let our Education staff share with you a wild variety of hands-on and minds-on activities that will enhance your science and environmental curriculum in the classroom or during a Zoo visit.

Call for more information about scheduling a teacher training session at the Zoo or your school.

SPONSORED BY:

EDUCATION GONE WILD BROCHURE

Download your pdf version of our 2007-2008 Education Gone Wild Brochure.

Click here to download the full brochure (3.47mb)

Advance registration is required. Please mail or Fax the "School Visit Reservation Request Form" located on the inside back cover of the brochure. Don't miss the schedule for EdZOOcation Stations, Puppet Shows and Animal Demonstrations on page 2 of the brochure. Special Events Days schedule is on page 3 of the brochure.

Self-guided Safari

(Basic Field Trip)
A do-it-yourself trip through The Zoo! Traverse the wilds of Africa or the varied terrains of Maryland. Upon registering, you will receive a trip confirmation, general Zoo information and suggested activities. Special events offered throughout the year.

Fee: Free for students of Maryland public, private and home schools, day care facilities and Head Starts. One adult (teacher or chaperone) enters free for every four Maryland students admitted. Extra adults pay the reduced group rate . Reduced prices are available for community-based organizations and out-of-state daycare facilities and schools. Current groups rates are $12.00/adult and $8.00/child

Important New Policy: During the months of July and August, only summer and year-round schools certified by MSDE will qualify for the Free Admission Program. Your institution must be included on the list supplied to us by the MSDE in order to qualify for free admission in July and August. This new policy was instituted in order to overcome the problem of some summer camps misrepresenting themselves as qualified candidates for the Free Admission Program. Summer camps do not qualify for free admission at any time. Maryland day cares qualify for free admission every month of the year EXCEPT July and August. During these two months, all day care and summer camp visitors entering with pre-registered groups will pay the group rate.

ZOO Introduction Programs

Kick off your group’s Self-guided Safari with a 30-minute outdoor assembly program. Meet an Animal Ambassador and find out about life at The Zoo!

Fee: $100 per program (program maximum of 100 students)

Downloads

Go to The Maryland Zoo Downloads page

Activity Guides for grades 3 through 8 to use while exploring the Polar Bear Watch, Maryland Wilderness, Children’s Zoo and African Journey exhibits.

Pre- and Post-visit Self-guided Safari Activity Sheets for grades K - 8 that are fun, educational, and adapted to meet State and National education standards.

Math and Reading Comprehension classroom worksheets for grades K through 5 meet Maryland Voluntary State Curriculum Science Indicators and provide interesting background information on Zoo animals and exhibits

Guided Tours

Zoo Education Volunteers and educators lead students on a one-hour tour of the Maryland Wilderness, Polar Bear Watch or African Journey. Each tour includes short activities that engage students and reinforce presented concepts. Special topic requests can be accommodated with four weeks notice.

Fee: $3/student (Prepayment required.)
Dates: M-W, October and April; M–F, November, December and March

ZOOlabs

Let us do the teaching with the help of Animal Ambassadors. ZOOlab programs align with the Maryland Voluntary State Curriculum and the National Science Education Standards and combine hands-on lab projects with fun demonstrations and activities. Program content can be tailored to fit the needs of multi-aged groups. Click here for a list of Zoolab topics.

Fee: $100 per program (program maximum of 30 students - Prepayment required)
Dates: M-W, October and April; M-F, November, December and March

NOTE: ZOOlabs admit only 1 adult (chaperone or teacher) per 8 children due to space restrictions. Other accompanying adults can visit nearby exhibits during the program.