Print

Programs/Outreach/Tours

Educational Programming

Here at Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary, we offer a variety of educational programming.
From field trips to the zoo or the zoo coming to you, we can adapt to any educational program!


Take a look at a few of our existing program options or tell us about your specific curriculum on our

Educational Program Request form found below.

Program Request Form: Click Here

Storytime
(Preschool through Kindergarten)
Hear a story about an animal such as a rabbit, tortoise, hedgehog, opossum, or skunk. After the story is read, talk about what we learned about the animal from the story and then meet that animal up-close!

Slither, Climb, and Crawl
(Kindergarten through 8th Grade)
Learn about the different ways reptiles move through their environments! This program will focus on the variety of reptiles that call the sanctuary home including snakes, lizards, and tortoises. Meet a few of our resident reptiles!

Creepy Crawlies
(Kindergarten through 8th Grade)
Arizona is filled with myths about scorpions and tarantulas. Meet some of these interesting arachnids while dispelling myths and learning the truth of their value.

Arizona Natives
(Kindergarten through 12th Grade)
Discover new things about some of your favorite Arizona native wildlife from this lesson. Meet some of our resident Arizona natives from the sanctuary.

Amphibians & Reptiles
(3rd through 8th Grade)
Get to know a few of the sanctuary’s resident amphibians and reptiles. We will talk about the difference between the two and why both types of animals are equally important to different ecosystems!

Web of Life
(3rd through 8th Grade)
All things are connected in the web of life. In this lesson, participate in activities to learn the roles of producers, consumers, and decomposers. Then meet some of each up-close!

Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary offers a variety of on-site animal encounters, guided tours,
and off-site outreach programming.
Pricing information can be found on the Educational Program Request form below.
If you are interested in scheduling an educational program with Heritage Park Zoo,

please submit the Educational Program Request by Clicking Here

 

 

Program and Outreach Classes

  • Kindergarten
  • First Grade
  • Second Grade
  • Third Grade
  • Fourth Grade
  • Fifth Grade
  • Sixth Grade
  • Seventh Grade
  • Eighth Grade
  • Ninth through Twelfth Grades
  • Custom Programs

  • wilson

    What is alive?

    In this come to you program, a few animals and a few "look-a-like" items (ex: tortoise & a rock) will visit the classroom and the students will have to distinguish why one is alive and the other is not.

    Body parts and senses

    Either here at the Zoo or in your classroom, have a mammal visit with the students and have them identify the animal's senses by looking at the body parts. They will practice sniffing out food like a Turkey Vulture, listening like a bat who navigates by sound, seeing like an owl, and touching like a raccoon. Numbers can also be incorporated (ex: the rabbit has one nose, two ears, four legs, etc.)

    Arizona Animals

    Students will learn about Arizona animals by meeting some up close!


  • Animal Differences

    Students will learn about the differences between animals such as mammals, reptiles, birds and insects. They will investigate the ways they move and the different coverings they have for protection by observing a variety of animals and animal pelts.

    Arizona Animals

    Students will learn about Arizona animals and plants by seeing some up close! They will compare different plants and animals and learn what native animals eat.


  • snakeBody parts and senses

    Students will compare a variety of animals and see why they are different. They will also learn what different animal body parts are for and what senses are strongest on different animals. They will practice sniffing out food like a Turkey Vulture, listening like a bat who navigates by sound, seeing like an owl, and touching like a raccoon.

    Creepy Crawlies

    Students will explore animals that most people don't like and why they don't like them. We will meet some of these interesting critters while dispelling myths and learning more about them.

    Mammals

    Students will meet different mammals and learn to tell them apart. They will investigate what characteristics are unique to mammals.

    Life Cycles

    Students will learn compare different animals such as mammals, birds, reptiles and insects and learn about their varied life cycles.


  • Web of Life

    Students will learn about how animals, plants and the environment are all interconnected. They will investigate how removing something or adding something to the environment can affect all the members of that ecosystem.

    Animal Adaptations

    Students will learn about the different ways animals are adapted for their environments and seasonal changes. They will investigate the differences between warm blooded and cold blooded animals, look at animals that live in trees and how they are different from animals that live on the ground and find out which animals hibernate for the winter and why.



  • cockroach
    Animal Anatomy

    How are rabbits different from snakes? Students will explore different anatomical structures in different animals by observing live animals as well as animal skulls.

    Animal Differences

    What makes a reptile a reptile and a mammal a mammal? Students will learn about the differences between reptiles, mammals, birds and insects and how to tell them apart by observing a variety of live animals, animal pelts and skins.


  • Animal Anatomy

    Students will compare an animal's skeleton to that of a human. They will also learn how muscles work in different ways in different animals by observing a variety of live animals and animal skeletons.


  • Animal Anatomy

    Why do rabbits have such long legs? How do their bodies process eating only plants? Learn about different anatomical structures and physiological processes of a variety of animals and how their different systems function by observing live animals and animal skulls.


  • Lemur
    Common, Endangered and Extinct

    With this program, students will get an in-depth look at what causes extinction, what can be done to prevent it, and the actions that are already being taken to preserve wildlife. Along with a close look at Endangered native species, students will also learn about animals that used to live in Arizona, and find out why they no longer live here.

    Animal Anatomy

    Why do some tortoises have spurs on their legs? How do herbivores process food compared to carnivores? Why do amphibians have such slimy skin? Why are the feet of a raccoon so different from those of a fox? Learn about different anatomical structures and physiological processes of a variety of animals and how their different systems function by observing live animals and animal skulls and skins.


  • Animal Behavior

    In this program, students will learn which animals hibernate and which animals migrate and why. They will also learn how animals who don’t use these behaviors survive the winter. They will be able to identify the difference between evergreen and deciduous plants and trees and learn about different animals and their behaviors, why they developed those behaviors and how they benefit from them in the wild.

    Animal Adaptations

    Students will learn about the different ways animals and plants are adapted for their environments and niches. They will investigate the differences between warm blooded and cold blooded animals and investigate relationships between different organisms. They find out why some animals have bright colors and what those mean to predators. They will also examine different birds and how their diet affects the size and shape of their beaks.


  • Conservation Action

    Discuss what it means to be a citizen and how the sanctuary acts as a group of active citizens. Learn about our animals' natural and individual histories focusing on the cause of their captivity and the various conservation issues the sanctuary addresses. Learn to recognize multiple sides to issues and how people can positively make differences.

  • Pick-a-theme

    If your group is studying something specific or is interested in a unique program not described above, we would be happy to work with you to develop a custom presentation perfect for you. Please contact the Education Department at (928) 778-4242 ext 18 for more information.

Tours

  • Kindergarten
  • First Grade
  • Second Grade
  • Third Grade
  • Fourth Grade
  • Fifth Grade
  • Sixth Grade
  • Seventh Grade
  • Eighth Grade
  • Ninth through Twelfth Grade
  • Custom Tours
  • Body parts and senses

    Either here at the Zoo or in your classroom, have a mammal visit with the students and have them identify the animal's senses by looking at the body parts. They will practice sniffing out food like a Turkey Vulture, listening like a bat who navigates by sound, seeing like an owl, and touching like a raccoon. Numbers can also be incorporated (ex: the rabbit has one nose, two ears, four legs, etc.)

    What Animals Need to Live

    Students will tour the Zoo and learn all about what animals need to survive by investigating what they eat, how much they drink and how much space they need.

    AZ Animals

    Students will learn about Arizona animals by meeting some up close!

     

  • Animal Differences

    Students will learn about the differences between animals such as mammals, reptiles, birds and insects. They will investigate the ways they move and the different coverings they have for protection by observing a variety of animals and animal pelts.

    AZ Animals

    Students will learn about Arizona animals and plants by seeing some up close! They will compare different plants and animals and learn what native animals eat.

     

  • Body parts and senses

    Students will compare a variety of animals and see why they are different. They will also learn what different animal body parts are for and what senses are strongest on different animals. They will practice sniffing out food like a Turkey Vulture, listening like a bat who navigates by sound, seeing like an owl, and touching like a raccoon.

    Creepy Crawlies

    Students will explore animals that most people don't like and why they don't like them. We will meet some of these interesting critters while dispelling myths and learning more about them.

    Mammals

    Students will meet different mammals and learn to tell them apart. They will investigate what characteristics are unique to mammals.

    Life Cycles

    Students will learn compare different animals such as mammals, birds, reptiles and insects and learn about their varied life cycles.

  • Animals and Their Environment

    Students will explore different animals and the environment in which they live. There will also be an examination of the environment of Prescott, which includes a trip down to Willow Lake to look at the ecosystem there.

    Web of Life

    Students will learn about how animals, plants and the environment are all interconnected. They will investigate how removing something or adding something to the environment can affect all the members of that ecosystem.

    Animal Adaptations

    Students will learn about the different ways animals are adapted for their environments and seasonal changes. They will investigate the differences between warm blooded and cold blooded animals, look at animals that live in trees and how they are different from animals that live on the ground and find out which animals hibernate for the winter and why.

    Common, Endangered and Extinct

    With the Zoo's multitude of animals, we have many that are endangered, threatened and common. With this program, students will get an in-depth look at what causes extinction, what can be done to prevent it, and the actions that are already being taken to preserve wildlife.

  • Animal Anatomy

    How are rabbits different from snakes? Students will explore different anatomical structures in different animals by observing live animals as well as animal skulls.

    Animal Differences

    What makes a reptile a reptile and a mammal a mammal? Students will learn about the differences between reptiles, mammals, birds and insects and how to tell them apart by observing a variety of live animals, animal pelts and skins.

    Common, Endangered and Extinct

    With the Zoo's multitude of animals, we have many that are endangered, threatened and common. With this program, students will get an in-depth look at what causes extinction, what can be done to prevent it, and the actions that are already being taken to preserve wildlife. A special focus will be paid to Mexican Grey Wolves and the Species Survival Plan.

    Animal Adaptations

    Learn about the different ways animals and plants are adapted for their environments and seasonal changes. Investigate the differences between warm blooded and cold blooded animals and look at animals that live in trees and how they are different from animals that live on the ground. Find out which animals hibernate for the winter and why. Learn to identify the difference between evergreen and deciduous trees and plants and investigate how plants survive in the desert.

  • Animal Anatomy

    Students will compare an animal's skeleton to that of a human. They will also learn how muscles work in different ways in different animals by observing a variety of live animals and animal skeletons.

  • Aquatic Discovery

    What lives in a lake? How can you determine if the lake is healthy? In this class, we will investigate these questions and look at some animals that live in or near the water. This unique and exciting experience allows students to strap on waders and get into Willow Lake for an afternoon of discovery and fun.

    Animal Anatomy

    Why do rabbits have such long legs? How do their bodies process eating only plants? Learn about different anatomical structures and physiological processes of a variety of animals and how their different systems function by observing live animals and animal skulls.

    Common, Endangered and Extinct

    With the Zoo's multitude of animals, we have plenty that are endangered, threatened and common. With this program, students will get an in-depth look at what causes extinction, what can be done to prevent it, and the actions that are already being taken to preserve wildlife. Along with a close look at the Endangered Mexican Grey Wolves and Tortoises at the Zoo, students will also learn about animals that used to live in Arizona, and find out why they no longer live here.

    Animals and Their Environment

    What is the weather like today and how is that affecting what the animals are doing? Students start this program by taking measurements of the current temperature and weather conditions. They will then observe what the animals are doing and draw conclusions about how the weather affects their behavior. The tour will conclude with a trip down to Willow Lake to look at the ecosystem there.

  • Predators and Prey

    Learn about the differences between predators and prey, how they are vital to the food web and a healthy ecosystem. This tour also includes a game that looks at what animals have been introduced into Arizona and how those animals are affecting the food web and the niches of the animals native to the state.

    Animals and Their Environment

    How many animals can fit in an enclosure? How is this number determined? How does this translate to ecosystems outside the sanctuary? Students will learn about limiting factors and carrying capacity by learning about how animals are taken care of at the sanctuary and through a trip down to Willow Lake to look at the ecosystem there. Students will observe what animals and plants live at the lake and learn about how they interact.

    Common, Endangered and Extinct

    With the Zoo's multitude of animals, we have many that are endangered, threatened and common. With this program, students will get an in-depth look at what causes extinction, what can be done to prevent it, and the actions that are already being taken to preserve wildlife. Along with a close look at the Endangered Mexican Grey Wolves and Tortoises at the Zoo, students will also learn about animals that used to live in Arizona, and find out why they no longer live here.

    Animal Anatomy

    Why do some tortoises have spurs on their legs? How do herbivores process food compared to carnivores? Why do amphibians have such slimy skin? Why are the feet of a raccoon so different from those of a fox? Learn about different anatomical structures and physiological processes of a variety of animals and how their different systems function by observing live animals and animal skulls and skins.

  • Animal Behavior

    In this program, students will learn which animals hibernate and which animals migrate and why. They will also learn how animals who don't use these behaviors survive the winter. They will be able to identify the difference between evergreen and deciduous plants and trees and learn about different animals and their behaviors, why they developed those behaviors and how they benefit from them in the wild.

    Animal Adaptations

    Students will learn about the different ways animals and plants are adapted for their environments and niches. They will investigate the differences between warm blooded and cold blooded animals and investigate relationships between different organisms. They find out why some animals have bright colors and what those mean to predators. They will also examine different birds and how their diet affects the size and shape of their beaks.

  • Conservation Action

    Discuss what it means to be a citizen and how the sanctuary acts as a group of active citizens. Learn about our animals' natural and individual histories focusing on the cause of their captivity and the various conservation issues the sanctuary addresses. Learn to recognize multiple sides to issues and how people can positively make differences.

  • Pick-A-theme

    If your group is studying something specific or is interested in a unique program not described above, we would be happy to work with you to develop a custom presentation perfect for you.  We can also add any in-classroom program to your tour for an additional fee.  Please contact the Education Department at (928) 778-4242 ext 18 for more information.