ZOOlab Topics, 2007/2008
Kindergarten
Super Senses
Maximum class size: 30 students
Program length: 30 minutes
Through hands-on activities, students learn about their own Senses, while exploring the marvelous sensory adaptations of Zoo animals.
Farm Animals and Animal Babies
Maximum class size: 30 students
Program length: 30 minutes
What do farm animals need to live on a farm? What products do we use from a farm? Do any wild animals live on a farm? Students answer these and other questions through classroom games and activities. Then they meet some farmyard friends!
1st Grade
Wings over Maryland Meadows:
The Baltimore Checkerspot Butter.y
Maximum class size: 30 students
Program length: 30 minutes
Students actively explore the habitat needs and life cycle of Maryland 's official state insect while participating in fun and engaging educational activities.
Participating classes receive seeds of Baltimore Checkerspot caterpillar food plants or butterfly nectar plants to grow in their classrooms. A Baltimore Checkerspot Curriculum guide with additional activities for students of all ages is available for participating teachers.
2nd Grade
Creepy Crawlies
Maximum class size: 30 students
Program length: 30 minutes
Students create a classification system that differentiates the anatomical structures of spiders, insects and other types of arthropods. They apply the system to determine if model invertebrates are anatomically correct. Their conclusions serve to "get the bugs out" of toy making!
3rd Grade
Big Cat Bonanza
Maximum class size: 30 students
Program length: 30 minutes
What do lions, leopards and cheetahs have in common? What makes each unique? Students participate in indoor and outdoor activities to learn about big cat adaptations, classify big cats based on features unique to each species, and evaluate myths and realities pertaining to these fantastic felines.
4th Grade
Maryland Mystery Animal
Maximum class size: 30 students
Program length: 30 minutes
Using reading, math, science and geography skills, students unveil the identity of a Maryland mystery animal species. During the course of their investigation, these wildlife detectives glean new knowledge of Maryland 's geographic regions and native wildlife.
5th Grade
The Disappearing Bog
Maximum class size: 30 students
Program length: 30 minutes
Using a "model" bog, students explore common links between the Maryland Bog Exhibit and the Chesapeake Bay and learn precisely what wetlands are and what they do. Inquiry-based activities encourage students to examine problems facing wetlands and propose potential solutions.
Multi - grade Classes
The following programs are easily adapted to the educational
standards of the listed grade levels.
Walk Across Maryland
Maximum class size: 30 students
Program length: 30 minutes
Grades: K - 2
An indoor exploration of Maryland 's wildlife and habitats, including wetlands, caves, forests and meadows! Using hands-on habitat models, students apply problem-solving skills to match animals to habitats and to identify the basic needs of animals in different habitats. Meet some Animal Ambassadors that call Maryland home!
ZOOeconomics
Maximum class size: 30 students
Program length: 30 minutes
Grades: 2 - 5
What does it take to run The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore ? From resources needed to goods and services delivered, students learn about the Zoo's behind-the-scenes operation. Creative activities help students see how each department at the Zoo contributes to the smooth functioning of the whole institution.
Crazy Critter Kingdom
Maximum class size: 30 students
Program length: 30 minutes
Grades: 2 - 4
Lizard or salamander? Insect or spider? Interactive projects and hands-on activities make classifying animals fun and easy. Animal Ambassadors are on hand to reinforce lessons learned during this unique trek through the Animal Kingdom.
Conserving the Baltimore
Checkerspot Butterfly
Maximum class size: 30 students
Program length: 30 minutes
Grades: 4 - 6
For a variety of reasons, the population of Baltimore Checkerspot
butterflies, Maryland 's state insect, is rapidly vanishing over Maryland 's meadows. Students simulate the roles of scientists and community planners to sample butterfly populations, determine the causes of the decline and propose possible solutions for the problems.
Participating classes receive seeds of Baltimore Checkerspot caterpillar food plants or butterfly nectar plants to grow in their classrooms. A Baltimore Checkerspot Curriculum guide with additional activities for students of all ages is available for participating teachers.
Grades 6 - 12
Working for Wildlife
Maximum class size: 30 students
Program length: 30 minutes
Ornithologist, herpetologist, horticulturist, zoologist or accountant? Meet the many different people "working for wildlife" up front and behind-the-scenes at The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore . It takes more
han zookeepers to care for the Zoo's wild family!
New Topics
We are always interested in developing new activities that support teachers, home school educators and community-based group coordinators endeavoring to educate students of all ages. Call ahead to customize a fall or winter program or Zoo visit.