2017-2018 Austin School Programs Zoo

A Roaring Good Time!

Programs for Pre-K through Twelfth Grade | 10808 Rawhide Trail, Austin Texas 78736 | www.AustinZoo.org | 501(c)(3) Non-Profit This year we are extending our program offerings from pre-K to twelfth grade. We are adding new programs and revamping some of our current offerings. Our programs Greetings!meet our mission to assist animals in need through rescue, rehabilitation and education. They correspond with Texas Essential Knowledge Skills (TEKS) addressing life science topics such as animal taxonomy, interdependence and adaptations. Programs include activities that allow students to practice social and emotional learning skills, such as self- awareness, social awareness and decision making.

There are program options for Zoo visits and for programs that travel to your school! Each program will include corresponding pre- and post-lessons to prepare students for the zoo program and to reinforce concepts after the program. September is Teacher Appreciation Month!

We know that Texas teachers are hardworking individuals! We invite you to come enjoy Austin Zoo during the month of September for FREE! To take advantage of this offer, please identify yourself as a teacher when you check in at our Gift Shop, and show us a copy of your current pay stub. This offer is valid only for Texas teachers. Visiting friends and family will still pay admission. Field Trip Admission Rates

To qualify for an education group rate, your organization must be a public or private school, or an organized homeschool group, and have a minimum of 15 participants (students and adults). Please note program minimums.

Students Teachers Chaperones Program Minimum

September 1 – January 31 $5.50 FREE $5.50 15 participants

February 1 – May 31 $6.00 FREE $6.00 15 participants

June 1 – August 31 $6.50 FREE $6.50 15 participants

Acceptable Forms of Payment

• We accept cash, organizational checks, VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

• One person must pay for the entire group. Additional chaperones, parents and siblings must prepay the lead teacher and enter with the group to receive this discount. Anyone checking in with us separately will be charged full admission rates. Final headcounts for admission charges must be provided upon check-in at the Gift Shop on the day of your field trip.

• Payment is due in full at the time of check-in. For school groups, we accept MasterCard, Visa, Discover, American Express, cash and school check. We will accept purchase orders (POs) only from Central Texas Independent School Districts. Austin Zoo must receive an approved PO directly from your financial department prior to the date of your field trip. Please make checks payable to:

Austin Zoo P.O. Box 91808 Austin, Texas 78709 Self-Guided Field Trip Instructions: • Reservations must be made at least two-weeks in advance. Last minute field trip? We might be able to accommodate your group within our two-week limit, but please call (512) 288-1490 in order to expedite your request. • To reserve a self-guided field trip, visit our website and click on the FIELD TRIPS tab. Please fill out the electronic field trip form. To fill out the form you will need: school name, primary contact name and phone number, email, bookkeeper’s name and phone number, email, grade level, number of students, number of adults, payment type, and three possible field trip dates. Reserve early field trip requests are filled on a first come, first serve basis. • You will receive a preliminary confirmation with the date and arrival time for your field trip within three (3) business days of your submission. Within 10 business days of your submission, you will receive a final confirmation email including invoice and field trip guidelines. Please read emails carefully, confirm that your information is correct and note the guidelines for a successful zoo visit. Please share the guidelines with your students and chaperones before your field trip. • If you need to cancel, please call as soon as your plans change.

On-Site Program Pricing

Category Students Teachers Chaperones Program Minimum

K-5 School Programs $2.00 FREE N/A – 25 participants or $50 for groups between 15 & 24 Parents can GR 6-12 Tours $3.00 FREE enjoy the 20 participants or $60 for zoo while the groups between 15 & 19 group is at June 1 – August 31 $6.50 FREE the program. 25 participants or $50 for groups between 15 & 24 Add an On-Site Program to your field trip • On site programs cannot be added to a self-guided field trip within two weeks of the scheduled visit. • If you decided to add a Zoo instructor-led on site program to your reservation, follow the steps self-guided field trip instructions above and choose a program from the selections in this brochure. • We can divide larger groups and perform multiple classes. • Booking your program requires a $50 non-refundable deposit that will apply to your final payment. (See cancellation policy for program fee refunds.) Failure to pay the program deposit will result in cancellation of your program reservation. • We recommend one chaperone/teacher for every 10 students in our Grade Pre-K-5 and Grade 6-12 programs. Due to space limitations additional parents cannot attend the program. They may enjoy the Zoo and catch up with the group after the program. • The remainder of your program fees (less the $50 non-refundable deposit) will be collected on the day of the field trip with your admission payment.

On-Site Program Cancellations: On-site programs must be cancelled in writing (e-mail is acceptable). The $50 deposit is non-refundable. Train Reservations Special arrangements may be made for your field trip! Please contact Jeanne Polk at (512) 970-2987 or by email at [email protected]. Please make all checks for the train payable to: Rawhide Rocket, LLC 1801 Pursley Road Dripping Springs, TX 78620

On-SiteMeet a Zoo Instructor Programs and enhance your field trip with a TEKS-based program. Pre-Kindergarten to First Grade Programs

Animal Senses Auditorium Program: up to 50 participants (30 minutes) This theater-style presentation with live animals will get kids thinking about the five senses and how animals use them to their advantage.

In My Backyard Classroom Program: up to 25 participants (30 minutes) During this center-based program, students investigate local habitats and learn about the adaptations that help native animals survive in the wild.

Grades 2-5

Animal Adaptations Auditorium Program: up to 75 participants (45 minutes) Focusing on interdependence in the natural world, students will learn about food webs and adaptations that help animals survive in the wild. Live animals are included in the presentation.

Animal Jeopardy Classroom program: Up to 30 participants (45 minutes) Using live animals and a Jeopardy-style game, students will compete in two teams to learn about classification, adaptations, ecosystems and how humans can protect the environment!

Owl Pellet Dissection Classroom Lab: Up to 30 participants (45 minutes) Why don’t owls digest all their food? Dissect an owl pellet to learn what an owl eats, its biology and hunting strategies. . Grades 6-12

Guided Tour Tour: Up to 20 participants (30 minutes) Learn about the Zoo’s mission to assist animals in need through rescue, rehabilitation and education in this 30-minute tour. Tour will include information on our primates, black bear cubs and big cats. All tours are conducted on the visitor pathway.

Animal Experience Classroom Program: Up to 25 participants (30 minutes) Meet two live animals and learn about their adaptations, natural history and personal stories!

Owl Pellet Dissection Classroom Lab: Up to 30 participants (45 minutes) Why don’t owls digest all their food? Dissect an owl pellet to learn what an owl eats, its biology and hunting strategies.

OutreachLet us travel to you! We Programs offer TEKS-based presentations that involve two to three live animals. Venue Requirements: We require an indoor space and a screen! We bring our laptop, projector, props and animals! (If you have a projection system i.e. smart board or LCD, please let us know.) Outreach Program Reservations

• Please call (512) 288-1490 ext. 106 (Education) or email your request to education. [email protected]. Please have three possible dates in mind. You will need to give a $50 non-refundable deposit within two-weeks of booking your program which will be applied towards your total payment. • Final outreach balance is due in full two weeks prior to the program. Any program that has not been paid for in advance will be cancelled. • Registrations for outreach programs must be made at least two weeks in advance.

Outreach Programs

First Program Second Program Third Program $295 $200 $150

Mileage rate $0.54 per mile. We can travel up to 75 miles from the Zoo and perform three (3) of the same programs in one day. Programs must occur between 9 AM and 4 PM.

Outreach Program Cancellations

Outreach programs must be cancelled in writing. The $50 deposit is non-refundable. Cancellations within two weeks of the program are non-refundable, but may be rescheduled within the same school year.

Pre-Kindergarten to First Grade Programs

Animal Olympics Auditorium Program: up to 100 Kids (40 minutes includes Q & A) Can you camouflage yourself better than a mammal? Can you stare longer than a snake? Answer these questions and more when students compete against our small critter collection and learn about animal family characteristics!

Grades 2 and older

Austin Zoo Animal Stories Auditorium Program: up to 100 kids (40 minutes includes Q and A) What is a rescue zoo? Why aren’t exotic animals good pets? Through an interactive presentation, learn about exotic animals and their characteristics and adaptations that make them unique, but not necessarily a good pet! Live animals included in the presentation.

Distance Learning Programs

An affordable way to bring Austin Zoo to your school is through Skype or Google Hangout! This is a great chance for kids who are working on research projects to “Ask an expert!” A Zoo Educator will coordinate with you ahead of the program to discuss your curriculum, test your wifi connection and plan an appropriate program. Past programs have included question and answer sessions for research projects or presentations with an animal.

Distance Learning Program Price: $30.00 for a 30-minute program.

CHECK OUT THESE PROGRAMS TOO!

Birthday Parties Austin Zoo is a great location for birthday parties of all ages! Austin Zoo birthday parties can occur in our Picnic Grove or in one of our three venues: Peacock Barn, Primate Pavilion, or indoors in the Events Pavilion. Put your own party together or choose one of our party packages. Call (512) 288-1490 to reserve!

Zoo Tots Offered September – May, this “Mommy and me” program based on a monthly theme features crafts, live animals and classroom activities.

Scout Workshops We can tailor a 1- or 2-hour program to fit a badge requirement or special interest! PO Box 91808 Austin, TX 78709

10808 Rawhide Trail, Austin, TX 78736 | 512-288-1490 ●www. AustinZoo.org