Teacher Resources - Utah's Hogle Zoo

TEACHER KITS

Our education kits are designed to engage and educate students with hands-on materials focused on animals here at the Zoo and worldwide. These science kits include books, artifacts, activities, and more.

Depending on availability and Covid-19 transmission levels, education kits may be rented for two weeks for a $10 rental fee and a credit card number left as a deposit against damage. Kits must be reserved two weeks in advance and will be picked up and returned to the Zoo between 9 am-5 pm Monday-Saturday.

If you have another kit topic in mind not listed below, please reach out, and we will try and create something to assist you with your student’s learning. Some Utah School Districts have opted to host the Zoo’s Wild Aware Utah Kit and Climate Care Kits at their district offices.

Contact Angelina Kump, Teacher Resource Coordinator, for more information on how to request a kit by emailing [email protected].

AVAILABLE KITS

Adaptations Kit

How do an animal’s feet, teeth, or hair help it survive? This kit includes a variety of animal “biofacts” that are great examples of adaptations. Compare and contrast them as a class, then think of your examples.

Africa

Africa is home to many animals that have become familiar to us through zoos and wildlife documentaries. This kit will help your students learn more about the wildlife of Africa and how it intersects with the people who live there.

Amphibian Alert!

Amphibian Alert teaches children what amphibians are and why amphibian population declines are alarming scientists and communities throughout the world. The amphibian decline dilemma represents an outstanding opportunity for educators to introduce a real-world problem being addressed by science into the classroom.

Animal Coverings – Kindergarten

This kit includes children’s stories, animal pelt samples, and ideas for crafts. This is our most popular kit, so be sure to reserve it well in advance!

Australia: Animals Down Under

Help your students uncover the mysterious animals that make their home in Australia. Dress a student up as a kangaroo or learn to play the didgeridoo. This kit includes posters, flags, animal photos, and more.

BATS!

Uncover the fantastic world of bats as you take away the myth by participating in the many activities included in this kit. Also included are posters, books, a bat skeleton, skulls, puppets, and more.

Bird is the Word

Learn about native and exotic birds and the easy-to-see adaptations that help them fly, eat and perch. Kit includes activities, feathers, and pictures. Each teacher that checks out this kit will also receive a bird feeder for their school.

Classification Kit

This kit contains biofacts from major taxa: mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, and more. It is designed to allow your students to make some hands-on observations regarding the various taxa.

Climate Care Kit

Learn about climate by comparing Utah’s habitats, plants, and animals to those in Alaska! This K-6 kit includes a variety of lessons to get elementary learners started thinking about our environment and what we can do to help. This kit is also available at locations in many districts and can be checked out according to district policy.

Enrichment

Have you ever wondered how zookeepers help keep captive animals stimulated and using their natural behaviors? This kit will teach you and your students more about Behavioral Enrichment and its role in zoos. Enrich your classroom today!

Suitcase for Survival

Wildlife Trafficking is a massive problem worldwide and negatively affects animal and plant species. The suitcase is “packed” with endangered species information, curriculum, and animal “biofacts.” Students have a chance to see and touch rare animal coverings while learning about conservation.

Wild Aware Utah

Learn about Utah’s native wildlife with skull replicas, pelt samples, books, activities, etc. This is the perfect way for students to have a hands-on experience learning about the adaptations that animals need to live in Utah. This kit is also available in many Utah School Districts and can be checked out according to district policy.

FIELD TRIP ACTIVITIES

These activities are designed for you to print out before you go and can add an extra layer of fun and education to your Zoo visit. These activities include an instruction sheet for chaperones and an activity sheet for students.

Book a Field Trip

Adaptations

Adaptation patterns at the Zoo
Animal Senses at the ZOO
Bird Beaks at the Zoo
Adaptations for The Next Generation at the Zoo

Conservation

Conservation Solutions at the Zoo

Life Cycles

Lifecycles at the Zoo

Needs of Living Things

The Needs of Living Things at the Zoo

TEACHER WORKSHOPS

Teacher workshops can be scheduled as in-person or virtual workshops for any group of four or more educators. These workshops count as professional development hours for re-licensure. To schedule, please email [email protected]

Aquatic Wild

This 2-hour teacher workshop for k-6 grade teachers includes interdisciplinary activities based on aquatic and marine habitats. All participants will receive a certificate of completion and a curriculum book.

Climate Care

This 2-hour workshop teaches you how to use the Climate Care Kit available for check out at the Zoo and select district offices. This workshop goes over how to teach climate change and lessons about the climate in Utah and Alaska and the wildlife that lives in these two places.

Growing Up Wild

This 2-hour teacher workshop for k-2nd grade teachers includes interdisciplinary activities based on nature. All participants will receive a certificate of completion, a curriculum book, and materials for several activities.

Planting the SEEd's of Conservation

This 2-hour workshop for k-12 teachers illustrates the free resources that Utah’s Hogle Zoo has created for their classroom. All activities tie into the SEEd standards. All participants receive a certificate of completion and access to resources.

Project Wild

This 6-hour on-site-only workshop for k-12. This workshop includes interdisciplinary activities that are all based on nature and wildlife. All participants will receive a certificate of completion and a curriculum book.

Wild Aware Utah

This 2-hour teacher workshop is for k-6 teachers. It focuses on interdisciplinary activities about Utah wildlife that can be done with the items in the Wild Aware Utah teacher kits available to all districts or checked out from the Zoo.

CLASSROOM CURRICULUM AND ACTIVITIES

Utah’s Hogle Zoo partners with the Utah Education Network to provide free lesson plans, activities, and supplemental materials for teachers. All of these resources align with Utah’s SEEd standards. If you have questions or ideas for additional materials, please contact [email protected].

iSEE Resources