In-School Workshops
In the words of David Attenborough:
"Bringing nature into the classroom can kindle a fascination and passion for the diversity of life on earth and can motivate a sense of responsibility to safeguard it."
From pet care workshops through to animal career days for senior secondary, we'll tailor a topic to your area of interest or pick one of ours. Sessions are structured with clear learning outcomes and a high level of engagement and participation. Students can interact with the animals gently and respectfully which is of course the highlight. Hands-on learning at its best!
Workshops are facilitated by Sally, the ZooVentures zoologist and zookeeper who brings a wealth of knowledge and an enthusiastic approach for a highly engaging student experience.
With both popular pets and exotic animals, students love learning with us. Curriculum relevant, interactive, and fun!
Choose one of the following topics or send us your theme or study unit and we'll design a class for you.
Animal Diversity Workshop - Suitable for Years 0-10
Animal Diversity Workshop - Suitable for Years 0-10
ZooVentures brings all the pets and reptile stars direct to you for around an hour of fun and learning. This visit includes an exciting mix of all types of animals that students will love!
There will be a 'dragon' feeding demonstration, cute and fluffy pets, tortoise vs turtle, chinchilla dust bath explosion, mouse treadmill challenge, giant skinks, gorgeous geckos, a rose cockatoo, Remington the 'velociraptor' lizard and more!
Life Cycles – Suitable for Years 2–9
Life Cycles – Suitable for Years 2–9
Together we explore the different life stages of a range of creatures from each major animal group. From beetles to amphibians, reptiles, birds, and small mammals, we will map out the journey each animal takes from juvenile to adult. There will be plenty of opportunity for gentle handling with our lizards, tortoises, small pets, and other fascinating creatures.
Introduction to Pets and Pet Care - Suitable for Years 0-10
Introduction to Pets and Pet Care - Suitable for Years 0-10
Students create animal enclosures meeting the needs of pets and consider the challenges of captivity. Hands-on fun and learning with traditional pets as well as lizards, tortoises, chinchillas and more. Includes dog safety message with one of our clever pups.
Animals and the Environment - Suitable for Year 4-10
Animals and the Environment - Suitable for Year 4-10
Looking at a range of environments and ecosystems, particularly in NZ we consider human impacts and how this affects resident species. From freshwater streams to our backyard we consider how to be aware and respectful of wildlife and the environment. The ZooVentures animals are mostly exotics, however, they are very good ambassadors for native species which we reflect on throughout.
Homes and Habitats - Suitable for Years 0-10
Homes and Habitats - Suitable for Years 0-10
We consider what a habitat is and why this is so important to individual animals and those that are part of the surrounding ecosystem. Animals from widely different habitats are shown to the class with an opportunity for handling and close observation. Students will also construct habitats for some of the animals, working in groups to create just the right environment for their chosen animal.
Endangered Animals - Suitable for Year 3-10 (Most popular workshop!)
Endangered Animals - Suitable for Year 3-10 (Most popular workshop!)
Learn why animals become endangered, how to play your part and what's being done to protect animals worldwide. See and touch on examples of animals that are endangered in the wild. An informative workshop taught age-appropriately at all levels with lots of animal involvement from our creatures.
Amazing Adaptations - Suitable for Years 0-10
Creative Writing Classes - all ages and levels
Creative Writing Classes - all ages and levels
Animals are inspiring! From stories and reflections to poems and observations, our pets and exotic creatures will bring out every child's creativity.
Creative writing classes focus on ‘finding a story’ through our animal characters by encouraging describing, action, and feeling words and the use of similes and metaphors. Students will leave the class with worksheets filled with inspiring material for their stories.
Introduction to Animal Care and Careers 'STAR' Workshop - Suitable for Years 10-13
Introduction to Animal Care and Careers 'STAR' Workshop - Suitable for Years 10-13
An overview of career options working with animals and practical activities around the care and handling of several species. Guest speakers regularly attend such as the NZ Police Dog Section, Unitech, NZ Customs Dogs, Veterinary professionals and more. Government funding may be available through your school. Please contact your school careers advisor to register your interest, however questions about the course itself may be directed to ZooVentures.
Animal Diversity Workshop - Suitable for Years 0-10
Animal Diversity Workshop - Suitable for Years 0-10
ZooVentures brings all the pets and reptile stars direct to you for around an hour of fun and learning. This visit includes an exciting mix of all types of animals that students will love!
There will be a 'dragon' feeding demonstration, cute and fluffy pets, tortoise vs turtle, chinchilla dust bath explosion, mouse treadmill challenge, giant skinks, gorgeous geckos, a rose cockatoo, Remington the 'velociraptor' lizard and more!
Life Cycles – Suitable for Years 2–9
Life Cycles – Suitable for Years 2–9
Together we explore the different life stages of a range of creatures from each major animal group. From beetles to amphibians, reptiles, birds, and small mammals, we will map out the journey each animal takes from juvenile to adult. There will be plenty of opportunity for gentle handling with our lizards, tortoises, small pets, and other fascinating creatures.
Introduction to Pets and Pet Care - Suitable for Years 0-10
Introduction to Pets and Pet Care - Suitable for Years 0-10
Students create animal enclosures meeting the needs of pets and consider the challenges of captivity. Hands-on fun and learning with traditional pets as well as lizards, tortoises, chinchillas and more. Includes dog safety message with one of our clever pups.
Animals and the Environment - Suitable for Year 4-10
Animals and the Environment - Suitable for Year 4-10
Looking at a range of environments and ecosystems, particularly in NZ we consider human impacts and how this affects resident species. From freshwater streams to our backyard we consider how to be aware and respectful of wildlife and the environment. The ZooVentures animals are mostly exotics, however, they are very good ambassadors for native species which we reflect on throughout.
Homes and Habitats - Suitable for Years 0-10
Homes and Habitats - Suitable for Years 0-10
We consider what a habitat is and why this is so important to individual animals and those that are part of the surrounding ecosystem. Animals from widely different habitats are shown to the class with an opportunity for handling and close observation. Students will also construct habitats for some of the animals, working in groups to create just the right environment for their chosen animal.
Endangered Animals - Suitable for Year 3-10 (Most popular workshop!)
Endangered Animals - Suitable for Year 3-10 (Most popular workshop!)
Learn why animals become endangered, how to play your part and what's being done to protect animals worldwide. See and touch on examples of animals that are endangered in the wild. An informative workshop taught age-appropriately at all levels with lots of animal involvement from our creatures.
Amazing Adaptations - Suitable for Years 0-10
Creative Writing Classes - all ages and levels
Creative Writing Classes - all ages and levels
Animals are inspiring! From stories and reflections to poems and observations, our pets and exotic creatures will bring out every child's creativity.
Creative writing classes focus on ‘finding a story’ through our animal characters by encouraging describing, action, and feeling words and the use of similes and metaphors. Students will leave the class with worksheets filled with inspiring material for their stories.
Introduction to Animal Care and Careers 'STAR' Workshop - Suitable for Years 10-13
Introduction to Animal Care and Careers 'STAR' Workshop - Suitable for Years 10-13
An overview of career options working with animals and practical activities around the care and handling of several species. Guest speakers regularly attend such as the NZ Police Dog Section, Unitech, NZ Customs Dogs, Veterinary professionals and more. Government funding may be available through your school. Please contact your school careers advisor to register your interest, however questions about the course itself may be directed to ZooVentures.