Located in Pittsburgh, the National Aviary is America’s only independent indoor nonprofit zoo dedicated to birds. The National Aviary houses over 500 birds and other animals representing more than 150 species from around the world. With large walk-through habitats and opportunities to hand-feed and meet species rarely found at standard zoos, the National Aviary offers students a great way to learn about wildlife and conservation in a hands-on way.
The National Aviary offers an Education Program where Aviary educators guide students through an interactive, standards-based classroom or assembly program focused on a topic of your choice. Education programs are private experiences for your group and feature age-appropriate activities, discussion, and exploration, complete with a visit from a live Animal Ambassador. Pre-K and Kindergarten, elementary, middle, and high school all have different program topics to choose from based on your group, providing a personalized experience. The National Aviary also offers A Teacher’s Guide to the Aviary. This age-appropriate resource kit provides you with everything you need to lead a self-guided program through the Aviary. Intended for large groups in elementary and middle school, this kit includes activities to complete before and after the trip, as well as an onsite educational guide that lets you travel through the immersive habitats at your own pace. You can also choose from 3 different add-on experiences, including live interactive and educational shows.
Depending on what you want your field trip to include, the National Aviary offers different packages. If you’re planning a trip for 1st through 3rd grade students, you might want to consider the Wings Around the World Experience. For $1,100 per classroom, the National Aviary will provide a multi-touchpoint experience both in and out of the classroom. The program begins with 2 classroom visits and ends with a field trip to the Aviary, including an educational program with an Animal Ambassador, self-guided exploration through the habitats, and a live show. For all programs or visits, we recommend reaching out to the National Aviary at least 6 weeks in advance to ensure the best availability.
Please note that the National Aviary has chaperone requirements. For preschool and kindergarten groups, 1 adult chaperone is required for every 5 children. For 1st through 12th grade, 1 adult chaperone is required for every 10 students. All required chaperones, as well as the bus driver, will receive complimentary admission. The minimum group size for field trips is 15 paying participants, and all group members must arrive at the same time. The National Aviary must receive a final head count and full payment at least 2 weeks before your scheduled experience. Any additional guests or chaperones must purchase a regular-price ticket.
