The Potawatomi Zoo’s Education program is offering classes this fall for children 3-12, and for the first time, adults 18 and up. All classes include age-appropriate activities, lessons, and animal experiences. These classes require pre-registration at www.potawatomizoo.org/edzoocation.
“We’re gearing up for a great fall season,” says Skye Hoffman, Education Curator at the Potawatomi Zoo. “As always, the topics covered in our classes will center on appreciating wildlife and preserving wild spaces.”
This year, the Zoo has started a new series of camps and classes for adults 18 and up called Curious Conservationists.
“By expanding the Education program with our adult programing, we’ll be able to reach even more people with a passion for nature and lifetime learning,” explains Hoffman. “We hope these new programs will inspire even more people towards conservation action.”
The first Curious Conservationists class will be called “Zoophobia! The Science of Fear.” It is offered October 13 from 2-4 pm. Attendees will learn why people fear certain animals and some good reasons not to be afraid. The cost is $15 for members and $20 for non-members.
Tiny Explorers is designed for children ages 3-4. This year, the theme will be “What’s For Dinner?” and explore what animals eat and how they are adapted to eat their favorite food. There are three classes: Hungry Herbivores, Carnivore Cuisines, and Opportunistic Omnivores. Each class is offered three times. Hungry Herbivores is September 7, or September 10, or September 24. Carnivore Cuisines is October 5, or October 8, or October 26. Opportunistic Omnivores is November 2, or November 5, or November 30. All classes are one hour and start at 10 am. The cost for each class is $12 for Zoo members and $17 for non-members. Unlike the other classes, Tiny Explorers is a family class, and registration includes one child and one adult.
Junior Naturalists classes are for children ages 5-6. This year the class will focus on some of the animals past classes have loved the most: the macaws, frogs, and alpacas. There are three classes, one per month. Marvelous Macaws is September 14, Frolicking Frogs is October 12, and Amazing Alpacas is November 9. All classes are 90 minutes and start at 10 am. The cost for each class is $10 for Zoo members and $15 for non-members.
Future Zoologists classes are designed for children ages 7-9. Future Zoologists will study animal sleep times and adaptations. There are three classes, one per month. Bump in the Night is September 21, Dancing in the Daytime is October 19, and Sunrise/Sunset Animals is November 16. All classes are 90 minutes and start at 10 am. The cost for each class is $10 for Zoo members and $15 for non-members.
There will be one Wild Rangers class for children ages 10-12 on September 28 called “So You Want To Be A Zookeeper?” This class will take children through the life of a zookeeper that cares for some of the Zoo’s carnivores like tigers, otters, or painted dogs. This class is two hours long and starts at 10 am. The cost is $15 for members and $20 for non-members.
