Regional Programs
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At-the-Zoo ProgramsAnimals of North AmericaGrade: 3rd +
Program Theme: North American biomes include temperate forest, prairie,
desert, and mountains. Animals and plants that live within these biomes
have unique behavioral and physical adaptations that help them to
survive in their biome.
Program Activities: In the classroom, students will learn the location
and climate conditions of the various biomes in North America. They
will then conduct an experiment on plants which investigates and
compares the adaptations of a temperate forest plant to a desert plant.
Students will then have the opportunity to meet a live North American
animal up close before a Zoo Boise tour focusing on North American
animals.
Animals of IdahoGrade: 3rd +
Program Theme: Idaho has several ecosystems two of which are the sagebrush desert and alpine mountains. There are some animals that ar
e adapted to living in both ecosystems while some animals live exclusively in one or the other.
Program Activities: In the classroom, students will learn 1) the geographic location and range of the mountain and sagebrush desert in Idaho and 2) how the climate of each ecosystem varies. Students will then examine plants and animal artifacts from both ecosystem and compare adaptations (both physical and behavioral) for surviving in their ecosystem. Students will be visited by an animal from Idaho before taking a Zoo Boise tour focusing on animals of Idaho. This tour features a stop at the Southern Idaho Ground Squirrel exhibit – an animal found only in Idaho and considered a very important component of the sagebrush desert ecosystem.
Back to TopAnimals of Lewis & Clark: Animals Encountered by the Corps of DiscoveryGrade: 3rd +
Program Theme: While Lewis & Clark were not the first to “discover” many North American animals and habitats, they were the first to scientific
ally describe and record them. In addition, the animals provided a great benefit to both the Corps of Discovery and the Native American people they encountered.
Program Activities: Students will explore the zoo and its animals through the eyes of the Corps of discovery through visiting exhibits and investigating animal artifacts supplemented with excerpts from Corps’ journal. Additional activities may include journaling, studying and recording animal behavior, drawing animals, using navigational skills, and learning Native American Sign Language for animals and habitats.
AfricaGrade: 1st - 7th
Program Theme: Africa is home to an incredible amount of animal wildlife and a variety of habitats ranging from desert, to rainforest, an
d grasslands. Each African animal has a very unique relationship with its environment.
Program Activities: In the classroom, students will learn the geography and climate that helps to create the many different habitats of Africa. Then they will have the opportunity to explore animal artifacts of African animals to discover how adaptations increase an animal’s chances for survival within its habitat. By conducting an experiment, students will learn how the soils in the African grasslands (savannahs) are different from the North American grasslands (prairies). After meeting and animal upclose in the classroom, a zoo guide will lead students on a guided tour of the African animals at Zoo Boise.
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