Field Trips at the Detroit Zoo
Discover our Ford Education Center and the wonderful opportunities that await you and your students! Our programs complement Michigan Grade Level and High School Content Expectations. Classroom field trip programs are held indoors in a climate-controlled setting and are accessible for participants of all abilities. Programs are offered year-round and last approximately 45 minutes. Cost is $2 per participant, plus admission. Maximum group size is 60 participants; some exceptions noted below.
Field Trip Availability Calendar
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State Correlations: Science: L.OL.01.13, L.OL.00.11
Whether up in a tree or down in a hole, there’s no place like home. Come discover the animals that spend their lives in water, temperate forests, polar regions and more. We’ll cover living and non-living aspects of each habitat and animal basic needs. |
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State Correlations: Science: L.HE.01.12, L.OL.01.21
All living creatures grow and change. Students will explore the unique life cycles of
insects, amphibians, birds, reptiles and mammals through an interactive presentation.. |
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State Correlations: Science: L.EV.03.42
Short and tall, big and small – the animal kingdom has them all! We’ll view many Zoo animals, see how they are classified and look at similarities and differences. By the end of the program, students will know how to tell the difference between invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. |
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State Correlations: Science: L.OL.03.42, L.OL.03.12
Come learn all about adaptations! We’ll define what an adaptation is and how they
help animals survive in their natural habitats. We’ll learn about the unique physical
characteristics that animals have developed over time. |
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State Correlations: Science: L.EC.04.11, L.EV.04.12
Everything in nature is somebody else’s dinner! Explore feeding relationships among organisms and discover what happens when those relationships are disrupted. |
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State Correlations: Science: L.EV.05.11, L.EV.05.12
Why do birds fly south for the winter? Why do zebras have stripes? This insightful presentation will explore both the physical and behavior adaptations that help animals survive in their environments. |
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State Correlations: Science: E.ES.M.4, B3.4A, B3.4B, B3.4C
How big is your footprint? Participants will develop an awareness of dangers facing
animals and natural habitats. We will focus on how zoos are involved in conserving the environment and all its inhabitants. Learn how you can help, too!
This program sponsored by:
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State Correlations: Science: L3.p2B
Rainforest frogs to polar bears, come learn how the Detroit Zoo takes care of each
animal’s needs! Students explore how habitats are developed and the special accommodations the Zoo makes for all of the animals. We will also look at the journey zoos have taken to get where they are today.
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Outreach Programs
Bring the Zoo to You...
...with one of the Detroit Zoo's Outreach presentations! Volunteer Docents visit your classroom and talk with the students about animals and conservation. No live animals are used. Many presentations include slides, videos and hands-on activities.
Teachers: Please call (248) 541-5717ext. 3801 (Ford Education Center Docent Office) for more information. You may also e-mail
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(Ford Education Center).
Fees: The cost for the school presentation is $25 for the first Outreach and $20 for each subsequent presentation during the same day. There is a $50 charge for community groups.
*Presentations will be adjusted to the age of the audience (preschool through adult). Please remember when making your request that we need at least four weeks notice and appreciate flexibility in dates and times. Our volunteers will call you back to confirm that your Outreach is scheduled.
Students experience how animals move and communicate with each other.
Discover the different groups of animals by looking at the "body wrappers".
We'll watch baby animals grow up to discover how they are similar and different from us.
Learn about the animals that share our neighborhoods - both wild and domestic.
Explore the wonderful world of frogs, toads, salamanders and unique animals called caecilians. (May be combined with Reptile program to compare and contrast differences in these animals.)
We'll take you on a virtual tour of the Detroit Zoo.
Disover how paleontologists use the animals of today and fossils to hypothesize the characterisitics of dinosaurs.
Learn about the special adaptations that animals have for surviving the winter.
Discover the characteristics and behaviors of our really cool reptiles. (May be combined with our Amphibian program to compare and contrast differences in these animamls.)
Butterflies are both beautiful and amazing. We'll learn where the Detroit Zoo gets its butterflies and how to attract butterflies to our yards.
Learn who eats whom and what the Zoo does to satisfy the hunger of its residents.
Introduce students to one of the world's most exciting habitats and the fascinating animals that live there.
Explore the layers of the rainforest and learn what animals and products come from it.
Students will examine the problems facing our planet and what is being done to help out.
See the various gardens around the Zoo and learn how they are cared for.
Field Trips at the Belle Isle Nature Zoo
Homeschool and Scout Programs are available.
There is no admission charge to visit the Belle Isle Nature Zoo and programs are free unless otherwise noted!
Groups are encouraged to register early as classes fill up quickly on a first come, first serve basis.
Contact the Belle Isle Nature Zoo office at (248) 541-5717 ext 3024.
EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Explore the relationship between plants and animals such as insects, birds and bats whose lives are tied to flowers as we learn about pollination. How do bees and other pollinators find flowers? Through a combination of color, scent and some other special cues not visible to humans, they are able to locate foliage. Using fun activities and games, learn the cues that are used by pollinators.
What is the value of not having a “spine”? Find out how the anatomy and biology of these animals are needed in the world in which we live. Reptiles are an amazing group of animals with some unique similarities, yet very different from each other. Find out what reptiles have in common, how they differ from each other and other vertebrates. Learn how they survive in their environment and about their life cycles. This class features various reptilian activities and fun games.
What happens when the web of life is broken? Students will learn how all living things are important to the ecosystem as we discuss the food chain and food web. We will explore how life is connected by looking at different relationships between plants, animals and the environment. Students will get a chance to build a food web to better enhance their understanding of this subject.
How do animals survive in cold conditions? Students will learn about the physical features or special behaviors that animals possess that help them adapt to their environment. We will explore winter survival in different creatures starting from animals in our backyard to animals in the Arctic. Seasonal activity.
What animals share our neighborhoods? Students will list animals that inhabit their neighborhoods – both wild and domestic. Students will also learn that animals have the same basic needs as humans: food, water, shelter and space to raise their young. Students will become better citizens of our planet as they learn how to peacefully co-exist with these animals.
Participants will view and observe the Belle Isle Nature Zoo bird exhibits and get a chance to share what they observe. We will learn about our native Michigan birds, winter birds and summer birds. We will explore the migration pattern and factors affecting migration. Different types of birds and their intelligence will also be investigated. This class will also feature various bird activities and fun games.
Take a tour of the Nature Zoo. We feature native Michigan plants and animals, a bird observatory space, and a deer encounter where you get an opportunity to feed the fallow deer.
Learn how current invasive species, such as the phragmities plant and the zebra muscle (former invasive species), have invaded the island and many of Michigan’s dry and wetlands. Pictures and facts about some of our endangered species will be shared. The importance of native plant and animal survival and why they are endangered will also be shared.
Everyone is connected to a watershed. There are certain microscopic animals that may be found in the water that can make us ill. Using a computer-generated microscope, participants will be able to identify microbes found in our water system. This class will also include the health assessment of a body of water by sampling aquatic insects. After collecting insects, a measurement known as Biotic Index is used in order to produce a single number summary describing the quality of the water. This is a total hands-on activity. Weather permitting.
Using a replica of a landfill, participants will be able to learn the difference between garbage (which is bio-degradable) and exactly how long it takes for garbage (which is not bio-degradable) to disappear.
Earn merit badge requirements by visiting the Belle Isle Nature Zoo! Bring your troop, pack or den and choose one of our daytime adventures. All badge requirements are fulfilled in these indoor/outdoor programs.
There is a maximum of 35 scouts per program. Most programs do not require a minimum.
Pre-registration is required and no fee.
Contact the Belle Isle Nature Zoo (248) 541-5717 ext 3024.
Homeschool
Nature has never looked better than when you understand what is happening! Treat your homeschooler to a day of learning at the Belle Isle Nature Zoo. See the current Belle Isle Nature Zoo education programs above. Pre-registration is required to attend.
See the current Belle Isle Nature News for details. Pre-registration is required to attend. Program dates and times are subject to change.
Educator Professional Development
Zoos are naturally educational! Our workshops will enhance your background knowledge while providing ideas on integrating the Zoo into your classroom.
Are you looking for interactive ways to teach your students about wildlife and wild places?
Click here for a printable brochure of our 2011/2012 Workshops.
Project WILD and Project Aquatic
Project WILD and Project Aquatic are designed to supplement science, social studies, language arts, math, art, music and physical education curriculum. These one-day workshops will demonstrate how to easily incorporate Project Wild and Project Aquatic in your classroom through hands-on activities. Each participant will receive the Project WILD and Project Aquatic texts. Lunch will be provided for all-day attendees.
February 10, 2012
SB-CEUs will be available to participants who attend the combined, all-day workshop for an additional fee.
Project WILD and Project Aquatic: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., $60
Project WILD only: 8:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m., $40
Project Aquatic only: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., $40
Project Learning Tree
Project Learning Tree is widely recognized as one of the premier environmental education programs in the world. Through hands-on, interdisciplinary activities, PLT helps young people learn how to think, not what to think, about complex environmental issues. Developed to meet state and national standards, PLT provides the tools educators need to bring the environment into their classrooms and their students into the environment. Each participant will receive the PLT text. Lunch will be provided.
March 10, 2012, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
SB-CEUs will be available to participants for an additional fee.
Project Learning Tree: $35
Project Learning Tree: Places We Live, Biodiversity & Places of the World
Project Learning Tree has supplementary materials for secondary educators consisting of individual modules. These materials challenge students to explore the many facets of an issue, illustrating the complexity of real-life environmental decisions. Modules are interdisciplinary and standards-based, while incorporating key concepts from social science, humanities, sciences and math. Each participant will receive the associated texts.
January 28, 2012, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
SB-CEUs will be available for an additional fee.
Workshop cost: $35
Humane Partners
Become a Humane Partner of the Detroit Zoo! We'll meet once a month throughout the school year to learn about Humane Education topics and how to integrate them into your curriculum. You'll receive animal welfare and environmental stewardship materials, activities and resources for your classrooms. Topics include learning about the importance of broad-based Humane Education, the animals that share our neighborhoods, Detroit Zoo rescue animals, how to reduce our ecological footprint, schoolyard gardening and much more! This series is adapted for all educators.
SB-CEUs will be available for an additional fee for participants who attend all seven weeks.
Meets monthly, second Thursday of November 2011 to May 2012, 5 to 7 p.m.
Workshop Cost: $50
Wildlife-Friendly Gardens for Schools
Outdoor classrooms provide endless cross-curriculum learning opportunities. Join us to find out how simple it can be to start a school garden and incorporate natural lessons that meet state and national curriculum guidelines. Participants will receive basic gardening supplies. Lunch will be provided.
March 31, 2012- 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
SB-CEUs will be available for an additional fee.
Workshop cost: $15
For more information, please email
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, or call
(248) 541-5717 ext. 3800 to speak with our education registrar.
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