K-12 Curriculum based activities: EdZOOcation
Learn while you Explore! The App includes an activity for each grade level, K-12 grade, that is aligned with the NC Essential Science standards. Lessons are interactive and encourage students to explore particular habitats or sections of the Zoo. To access these lessons, click on the EdZOOcation section on the Apps main page.
Tips for students:
- If you plan to use your own devices, be sure to download the App before your visit so the fun can start right away!
- These activities are location based. Make a plan to be in the area of the zoo where the activity takes place for 15-30 minutes. You can find a list of the activities and their locations here: (see table below)
- We recommend younger students explore the activities in small groups while a chaperone navigates the device.
- Older students may use individual devices or work in small groups but should be able to navigate the app on their own.
- Some features of the app will work outside of the zoo, however most of the activities were developed to be completed within the zoo. If you are planning to bring students to the zoo, be sure to register by calling 336-879-7700.
- We offer pre-visit virtual programs that pair with some of the app features, along with pre and post visit activities you can do outside of the Zoo. You can find links to these lessons in the table below.
| Grade Level | Activity | Description | Zoo Location | Science Standard |
| K | Zoo Cats | Desert | K.L.1.1 | |
| 1 | Wild NC Homes | Red Wolf/Prairie Overlook | 1.L.1.2 | |
| 2 | Paws and Reflect | Rocky Coast | 2.E.1.1 | |
| 3 | Plant Yourself at the Zoo | Desert | 3.L.2.2 | |
| 4 | ||||
| 5 | Energy for Lion Around | Lions | 5.L.2.2 | |
| 6 | Flower Power | Honeybee Garden | 6.L.1.1 | |
| 7 | Weather Matters | Baboon | 7.E.1.4 | |
| 8 | The “Relephants” of Change | Elephant | 8.L.4.2 | |
| 9 | Swamp Meet | Cypress Swamp | EEn.2.4.2 | |
| 10 | Dichotomous Keys to the Kingdom | Watani Grasslands | Bio.3.5.2 | |
| 11 | Survival: It’s Just a Phase | Baboons | Chm.2.1.3 | |
| 12 | The Zoo’s Joule Thief? | Zoo Tram Stop | PSc.3.1.2 |
Zoo Career Exploration: Career Quest
Have you ever wanted to work at a zoo? Get some firsthand experience with several zoo careers while you explore! The Career Quest section of the app allows you to experience being a zookeeper, animal behaviorist, conservation scientist, horticulturalist, and a zoo veterinarian.
Tips for Career Quest:
- There are five career exploration actives that can be enjoyed as you move through the zoo. All ages can enjoy these activities, however they were developed with a focus on particular age groups. These include: (See chart below)
- Want to dive deeper? We offer pre-visit virtual programs that pair with Career Quest, along with pre and post visit activities you can do outside of the Zoo. You can find those here:
- Features of the Career Quest activities will only function within the zoo, however the companion activities and virtual program can be completed anywhere.
- If you plan to use your own devices, be sure to download the App before your visit so the fun can start right away!
| Suggested Grade Level | STEM Career Quest | Description | Zoo Location | Pre and Post Lessons |
| 1-3rd Grade | Zookeeper | Students experience keeper tasks like cleaning, feeding, and providing behavioral enrichment. | Giraffe & Red River Hogs | Pre-Visit Lesson
Post-Visit Lesson |
| High School/Early College | Animal Behavior Researcher | Students observe elephants in the habitat and record behaviors, also explore habitat design. | Elephant | Pre-Visit Lesson
Post-Visit Lesson
|
| 3rd-5th Grade | Horticulturalist | Students use many different resources (within the App) to identify a mystery plant and decide how best to manage it. | Prairie Overlook | Pre-Visit Lesson
Post-Visit Lesson
|
| Middle School/High School | Veterinarian | Students study a real medical case from a Zoo animal and move through the process of diagnosis and treatment. | Cypress Swamp | Pre-Visit Lesson
Post-Visit Lesson
|
| Middle School | Conservation Biologist | Students try out several examples of conservation research and monitoring, including monitoring birds, frogs, salamanders, and insects. | North America (Cypress Swamp, Kidzone, Streamside) | Pre-Visit Lesson
Post-Visit Lesson
|
Borrow a device
We have a limited number of tablets available for school groups to reserve. To reserve tablets for your next fieldtrip email our School Programs Team. Please be aware these requests will be filled on a first come, first served basis. We can not guarantee that devices will be available.