Digital Discovery is the North Carolina Zoo's virtual program experience designed with school groups in mind! Whether you are interested in seeing details up close before or after a visit or are interested in logging in from hours away, we are one click away from your students learning about all the powerful work we do here at the Zoo to protect wildlife and wild places.
How can I purchase a Digital Discovery Program?
Visit our eTix ticketing site to view availability and purchase your program and provide additional details.
We are not able to reserve dates for school groups and the educational programs are first come first served. You can however reach out to schoolprograms@nczoo.org to see if a date has additional availability if it says sold out or unavailable, as we do have some additional availability not listed on the eTix site. Program bookings are not confirmed until you receive an email confirmation letter from a member of the North Carolina Zoo Education Team containing your program details.
What Digital Discovery Programs do you currently offer?
| Program Title | Suggested Grades | Descriptions | Standards |
| Amazing Adaptations | 4th-6th | Animals are amazing at adapting to their habitats and environments. Amazing Adaptations lets us look at the unique adaptations animals possess to survive and thrive in different habitats and environments. | LS.4.1 | LS.4.1.2 | LS.4.1.3 | LS.5.2 | LS.5.2.3 | LS.6.2 | LS.6.2.2 |
| Carolina's Coolest | 4th-6th | When you think of the zoo, you likely think of Elephants and Giraffes and Rhinos. While we do have amazing African animals at the North Carolina Zoo, we also have animals that live here in North Carolina that you may have never seen! Let us bring the fun to you, to talk about birds, reptiles, amphibians, and animals that can all be found right here in your backyard. | ESS.4.3.2 | LS.5.2.2 | LS.6.2.2 |
| Chasing Chytrid | 9th-12th | Chytrid is a fungus that has been recognized as the most deadly pathogen globally. Learn the ins and outs of such a fatal fungus and learn how you can support our amphibians. | Standards available upon request (can overlap with multiple high school courses) |
| Feet, Paws, and Claws | K-3rd | The different feet, paws, and claws of different animals serve a purpose, but why do they all look so different? Discover the differences between our toes. | PS.K.1.1 | LS.K.1.1 | LS.1.1.1 |
| From Eggs to Legs | 1st-3rd | Most elementary students can explain frogs come from eggs, but there are so many other creatures that start out as eggs and end up with legs! Join us in exploring these other creatures while reviewing an elementary classic: the frog lifecycle. | LS.1.1 | LS.2.1 | LS.2.1.2 |
| Gentle Giants | K-2nd | Join us for a showcase of our largest animals at the zoo! This will be a pre-recorded experience with a live educator facilitating and answering questions. | PS.K.1 | LS.K.1.2 | LS.1.1 | LS.1.1.1 | LS.2.2.1 |
| Giving a Frog Leg Up: Carolina Gopher Frogs | 6th-8th | The North Carolina Zoo's work with Carolina Gopher Frogs is an incredible story of successful conservation in our area. Join us as we tell the story, and meet an ambassador for this endangered species. | LS.6.2.2 | LS.7.1 | LS.8.2 | LS.8.2 | ESS.8.4 |
| Living with Nature | 6th-12th
| This free program focuses on our amazing conservation work done regionally and internationally.
| Standards available upon request.
|
| Snakes: Friend or Foe | 6th-8th | Snakes are one of the most feared animal types in the world, but do we have something to fear? Learn about unique snake adaptations, interesting facts, and the importance of snakes in our world and then decide…should snakes really be our friend or are they truly a foe? | LS.7.1 | LS.8.2 |
| Sustainability: More than Reduce, Reuse, Recycle | 9th-12th | A holistic view of sustainability integrating some of the sustainable development goals and how high schoolers can go beyond merely reduce, reuse, recycle, and instead further their sustainability impact. | Standards available upon request (can overlap with multiple high school courses) |
| Zoo Career Quest | K-12th
| This free virtual program must be done prior to a planned trip to the North Carolina Zoo where students will utilize the new Zoo App. Students will learn about various careers at our Zoo and how each career is incredibly important to the animals here! Students will get to see an animal ambassador and learn about the care they receive from all Zoo staff, not just from zookeepers.
| Standards available upon request, as program is very different depending on age group
|
Who are these programs for?
These virtual programs are designed for K-12 groups able to join us virtually through a Microsoft Teams Meeting/Webinar or a meeting platform of your choice and creation.
How long do these programs last?
Each program will last approximately 30-45 minutes.
Will there be live animals?
Many programs feature live Animal Ambassadors. Live animals cannot be guaranteed due to feeding schedules, vet visits, weather, etc... However, by having a virtual experience you are more likely to get to meet one of our Animal Ambassadors!
What price will the program be? Do you have a Buy Now, Pay Later option?
The Digital Discovery Programs is $75 per program. We do have two free programs offered, one for K-12 groups visiting the Zoo interested in learning about Zoo careers, and the other for 9-12 groups interested in a conservation focused program.
- We are piloting a new payment format that allows you to either pay for your program at the time of booking or pay anytime within 30 days after your initial reservation. When purchasing your program, you will see a section titled “Ticket Payment Options.”
- If you are ready to pay immediately, select “Pay in 1 payment.
- If you want to reserve your date now and pay anytime within 30 days, select “Split into 1 payment”.
- If you choose the “Split into 1 payment” option to pay later:
- You will be prompted to enter card information to hold your reservation.
- You may change the payment method later if needed.
- We are not able to offer refunds or exchanges
- You will receive additional instructions on how to access the Pay Later feature in your account.
Are there discounts available?
Yes! Please contact schoolprograms@nczoo.org to see if you qualify for our Tier 1 County or Title 1 School discounts, or check out our free virtual program options such as Living with Nature or Zoo Career Quest.
How early can I begin booking?
Program booking for the 2026-2027 school year begins July 1st. We require at least 1 month advance booking for our Digital Discovery Programs.
Can you sign a contract with my county/school/group?
We are not able to sign any contracts or agreements. Please reach out to schoolprograms@nczoo.org to determine if there are other options for you.
