School and Group Programs
School and Group Programs
A variety of experiences are available from interactive field trips and zoo patches to scholarship opportunities for school groups.
Field Trips
For field trip information related to all LAUSD and non-LAUSD primary or secondary schools, please click here.
For university and adult school special needs field trips, please click here.
Zoo Pals
The Los Angeles Zoo is excited to offer the ZOO PALS program. ZOO PALS is a special grant-funded program that provides teachers and their students with free admission and free transportation to the Los Angeles Zoo for a self directed or docent-guided tour.
The ZOO PALS program funds transportation costs for participating teachers and their students Two buses per school and a maximum of 120 students and 12 chaperones will be covered.
Scholarship recipients are required to submit photos from the field trip along with letters and/or pictures from the students. Photos and written materials must be received by the Los Angeles Zoo within 3 weeks of the completion of your field trip.
On-Grounds Interpretation
While visiting the zoo you may encounter one of our friendly Zoo Educators. They have a passion for animals and love to share their knowledge about them. Feel free to ask them any questions you may have as you explore the zoo.
Zoo World Patch Program
The Patch program is a 4-hour class for scouts, both boy and girl, which focuses on the workings of the Zoo and its plant and animal collection.
Through slides, hands-on activities (art, creative writing & biofacts investigations), and adventures on Zoo grounds, the Zoo Patch program takes your scout on an investigative exploration of the zoo’s plant and animal collection examining the daily operations of a zoo, zoo careers, animal exhibit development, animal diets and much more. Each class is 4 hours long and led by a Los Angeles Zoo Docent (trained zoo volunteer). Each scout receives a special Zoo Patch after the completion of the program and Scout leaders receive a detailed sheet connecting the day’s activities to scout badges. The cost is $10 per Scout and patches are included in the program fee. One adult leader may attend free with every ten scouts.
Dates:
May 24, 2008 (Saturday) - 10am - 2pm
June 7, 2008 (Saturday) - 10am - 2pm
For more information, please call 323/644-4211.
Highlighted Programs
Emergency Immigrant Educational Program
The Emergency Immigrant Educational Program, EIEP, selects and provides LAUSD students who have been in the country less than three years with a much needed opportunity to increase their English proficiency through specialized instruction and field trips. ZooSchool, an EIEP program, provides a science-based, Zoo curriculum for middle school students during their school “inter-sessions”.
Participating students spend four weeks at the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens learning about animals, ecosystems, and the role of Zoos while strengthening their language skills. Throughout the course, students explore the Zoo as field biologists and behaviorists creating their own personal field guides. They continue their research of the natural world utilizing a variety of resources including books, Zoo tours, inquiry-based activities, and guest speakers, as they are charged with designing and creating their own model Zoo exhibits and behavioral enrichment for several captive animal species. Through this process, the students discover the role of Zoos, increase English fluency and science literacy, and develop a sense of community, self-confidence, and belonging.
ZooReach
ZooReach offers primary and secondary students a unique opportunity for a cross-age tutoring experience. Qualified schools are provided a free field trip to the Zoo where trained secondary students lead their elementary partners on a fun and interactive adventure. ZooReach also includes teacher-training sessions, secondary student workshops at their school and the Zoo, California Science Framework aligned classroom lesson materials, and free busing transportation to the Zoo.
Biological Sciences / Zoo Magnet
This program, established in 1981, is located adjacent to the Los Angeles Zoo in Griffith Park and is ten minutes by shuttle bus from the North Hollywood High School main campus. Students have the opportunity to excel in a highly academic curriculum with emphasis on animal studies and biological sciences, while observing and conducting research at the zoo facilities and in the nearby park and museums.
Students from anywhere in the Los Angeles Unified School District can enroll in the magnet program. For further information, and to find out the documents necessary to enroll a student in North Hollywood High School, please call the school at 818-753-6292.
Earthwatch Mentor Program
This program funds two teens along with an adult mentor from the Los Angeles Zoo Education Division to participate in hands-on scientific research that can enrich your career opportunities.
All those involved with the Zoo’s youth program for at least 3 months and are 16 or older are eligible to apply. Preference is given to inner-city, low-income and minority youth. Fellowships cover transportation and all costs while on the expedition. There is also a small stipend for expedition preparation costs.
Earthwatch Institute (EWI) is an international nonprofit organization which supports scientific research worldwide by offering members of the public unique opportunities to work alongside leading field scientists and researchers since 1971. Earthwatch’s mission is to promote sustainable conservation of our natural resources and cultural heritage by creating partnerships between scientists, educators, and the general public.
