Bring LEARNING to life
Explore our range of VIRTUAL ZOO curriculum linked workshops!
A RAINFOREST ADVENTURE
Age group: KS2 – recommended Years 3-6
Duration: 50 minutes
Learning Space: Virtual Zoo Session delivered remotely to your classroom
COST: £95
Join us on a journey to the rainforest on this immersive virtual zoo session.
In this virtual zoo session, join our zoo conservationists on a journey to the rainforest from the comfort of your own classroom. Just make sure you’re dressed for the occasion! We’ll explore the different layers of the rainforest and the incredible variety of species that you can find there. We’ll think about the classification of animals in the rainforest, their adaptations, life cycles and food chains. While they may be incredible places, sadly rainforests are under threat. We’ll explore the causes of deforestation with a particular focus on South Asian rainforests and the impact of unsustainable palm oil production. We’ll show how Chester Zoo prevents extinction and talk about the small changes we can all make to act for wildlife.
PREVENTING EXTINCTION: CONSERVATION AT CHESTER ZOO
Age group: KS3 – recommended Years 7-9
Duration: 50 minutes
Learning Space: Virtual Zoo Session delivered remotely to your classroom
COST: £95
Journey around the world in this immersive virtual zoo session.
Here at Chester Zoo, our mission is preventing extinction. We’ll explore some of the zoo species that are most at risk and discover how the zoo works with these species both at home and around the world.
Students will: investigate the threats to biodiversity; learn more about the species that are affected; look at how we implement our specialisms as part of a conservation plan. This interactive workshop will explore how Chester Zoo’s involvement in 60 different projects, in 21 countries and in partnership with 51 different organisations, is helping to conserve species and we’ll explore the ways that your learners can act for wildlife to help out too.
JAGUAR GENETICS: A MELANISM CASE STUDY
Age group: KS4 – Years 10-11
Duration: 50 minutes
Learning Space: Virtual Zoo Session delivered remotely to your classroom
COST: £95
Join our team for a virtual exploration into the science behind the spots!
What exactly is a black panther? What causes some animals to be different colours? And why is it so important for zoos to think about genetics when trying to save threatened species? We’ll reveal the answers to all these questions and more during this exciting 50 minute virtual zoo session.
With jaguars acting as our case study, we’ll use a combination of live Q&As and activities, as well as pre-recorded video content, to explore and apply Mendelian genetic theory. From phenotypes to genotypes, inheritance to Punnett squares – we’ve got it covered.
Whether taught as an introduction to the topic, or as a revision exercise, we’ll help to provide real-world context to reinforce your classroom learning.
HISTORY OF THE ZOO
Age group: KS1 and KS2
Duration: 50 minutes
Curriculum links: History
Learning Space: Virtual Zoo Session delivered remotely to your classroom
COST: £95
Join us on a walk through time to hear tales from the zoo’s past. Meet the Mottersheads and discover how we became the most visited zoo in the UK from very such humble beginnings.
Our exciting new virtual session will allows your students to explore the zoo’s history, meet the main characters and understand the role they played in the early day of the zoo.
From humble beginning how did Chester Zoo become the most visited zoo in the UK? What was life like in the early days in the zoo for the keepers and how has it changed? Together we can explore extraordinary times the world has seen since the zoo began in the 1930s.
SPOTLIGHT ON DIET AND NUTRITION
Age group: KS2 – recommended Years 3-6
Duration: 25 minutes
Learning Space: Virtual Zoo Session delivered remotely to your classroom
COST: £60
Perfect for Science Week!
Why is food important? Do all animals eat the same food? What happens to the food once it disappears down our throats?
In this virtual workshop, we’ll examine the teeth of carnivores, herbivores and omnivores and compare them to our own teeth. Learners will calculate the diet of some of the most charismatic zoo animals, before watching our keepers preparing and delivering the food.
This 25 minute virtual workshop is perfect for an introduction to a nutrition topic!
SPOTLIGHT ON SCIENCE AND CAREERS AT CHESTER ZOO
Age group: KS3 – recommended Years 7-9
Duration: 25 minutes
Learning Space: Virtual Zoo Session delivered remotely to your classroom
COST: £60
Perfect for Science Week!
We have all sorts of jobs at Chester Zoo, join us for this virtual workshop where we’ll learn more about the science involved in the everyday roles of zoo staff.
Students will explore the range of jobs available in the Zoo, with a focus on those in scientific areas and investigate the skills qualifications and experience required to take up these roles.
This 25 minute virtual workshop is perfect for groups studying science in the workplace or those about to choose their GCSE subjects or thinking about their future careers.
LOVE IT FOR LONGER
Age group: KS2 (recommended Year 5 & 6)
Duration: 50 minutes
Learning Space: Virtual Zoo Session delivered remotely to your classroom
COST: £95
How can we make informed choices that allow us to live lives that also protect the planet? What every day actions have a genuine positive impact on wildlife?
During this workshop, we’ll discuss different elements of sustainability. Through interactive activities and discussion, we’ll consider the threats to wildlife, in particular deforestation, climate change and pollution. Students will consider sustainable actions that they can take which will have a positive impact on the species discussed, and learn about Chester Zoo’s conservation work.
CONSERVATION AND THE ROLE OF ZOOS
Age group: Further Education
Duration: 90 minutes
Learning Space: Virtual Zoo Session delivered remotely to your classroom
COST: £90
Our planet is facing its toughest challenge yet. Students will discover Chester Zoos’ plan to prevent extinction.
Accredited zoos have long been at the forefront of efforts to conserve biodiversity. In this 90 minute workshop students will discover how Chester Zoo has a special role to play in saving species from extinction, both with the animals in our care, and by our in situ projects around the world. We’ll look in to Chester Zoo’s Conservation Masterplan, and our approach to preventing extinction by tackling the four Ps: Populations, Places, People and Policy. Using case studies of our conservation efforts, students will then apply our conservation tools to creating their own conservation action plan for example species.
Curriculum links
- City and Guilds Level 3 Unit 308 Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- BTEC Level 3 Unit 24 Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Management
CAN’T FIND WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR?
Our education team can create a BESPOKE SESSION suitable for students 16+.
If you haven’t been able to find exactly what you’re looking for in the workshops we provide, we’re more than happy to discuss a BESPOKE workshop tailored to the needs of your class. Whether you’re looking for something on careers, endocrinology, animal behaviour, marketing or any other zoo related topic – we can work with you to create the perfect solution for your learners.
Contact our bookings team to discuss your ideas and ask any questions.
Explore our FREE learning resources
We have LOTS of downloadable learning resources available to you for free, to help support your learning back in the classroom, before and after a visit to Chester Zoo.
BOOK your VISIT
Find all the information you need to book your school visit, and start the countdown to a unique educational experience with Chester Zoo!
What ELSE do we offer?
Whether you want to visit the zoo, have us come to your school or you want to sign up for our virtual zoo visits – or all three – we’re sure we’ve got an offer that will suit your needs. Our team are always happy to help with any enquiries you may have too.