Core Education Topics
John Ball Zoo’s Wild Encounter and Traveling Zoo programs are designed
to teach the following science topics to your students. Other, more customized
programs are also available upon request.
Animal Essentials
Students learn the basic needs of animals and how they satisfy these needs
to survive.
Michigan Wildlife
Students get the chance to explore the wild side of Michigan and learn more
about the animals that might be right in your backyard.
Animal Senses
Students explore their own senses as well as those that animals use to survive.
Animal Classification
Grouping animals by their common characteristics is important for better
understanding animals. Students learn about the basic animal groups through
up-close identification of their similarities and differences.
Growing up Wild
All animals are not raised the same and not all babies look like their parents.
We’ll explore parents, their young and how they each grow up differently.
Body Coverings
Experience the furry, feathery and scaly side of the animal world and learn
why the animals are covered the way they are.
Habitats
Every animal needs a home and is adapted to survival in this environment.
We’ll explore a variety of habitats around the world and how some
animals find the food, water, shelter and space they need in them.
Animal Adaptations
Students get an up-close look at the amazing physical and behavioral adaptations
animals have adapted to survive in the environments where they live.
Predator-Prey
It is eat and avoid being eaten in nature. Students learn about the adaptations
that help predators find their prey and those that help potential prey avoid
being eaten while exploring the connections these animals have with each
other.
Connections
Everything’s connected in nature. Students learn about trophic levels
and how energy flows through an ecosystem. We’ll help them recognize
the connections animals and plants have and why each one is important for
the ecosystem.
Endangered Species and Wildlife Conservation
Some species need a little help in nature and recognizing which ones are
endangered is just the first step. Students will learn what they can do
as well as what others are doing to help protect wildlife and their habitats
around the world.
Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations
To learn about how our core education topics address Michigan grade level
content expectations for science and social studies, click here.
