The San Diego Zoo’s journey began with a roar in 1916 when Dr. Harry Wegeforth was inspired to create a zoo just for the children of San Diego. Today, that same passion for education and wildlife conservation continues, making the Zoo the perfect destination for an unforgettable field trip. From up-close animal encounters to hands-on learning experiences, students will step into a world of wonder, discovery, and adventure as they explore one of the most renowned zoos in the world!
The zoo offers a variety of activities for the entire classroom to enjoy, including wildlife exhibits, interactive play areas, and guided tours. These experiences allow students to explore all aspects of the zoo, making it a memorable and educational field trip. Students can step into the wildlife exhibits, as they showcase some of San Diego’s wildlife ambassadors that crawl, climb, creep, or slither, along with those who care for them. With a wide variety of animals to admire, teachers can expect students to be eager to explore the park. However, they can feel at ease knowing plenty of guides are available to help students navigate, find what they want, and have fun safely.
For an activity fit for the whole class, the guided bus tour through the zoo is perfect for young ones. It provides an engaging and educational experience, allowing students to observe wildlife up close. They also learn about conservation efforts in a fun and interactive way. This round-trip, 35-minute adventure through the Zoo grounds on our double-decker buses helps students learn more about how the Zoo saves species worldwide and what you can do as an ally for wildlife. The Zoo offers a 4D theater, where groups can experience breathtaking 3D movies with stunning special effects that bring some animals to life like never before. For teachers searching for that extra educational aspect to their field trip, the Zoo offers an education curriculum with options such as Wildlife Explorers, which includes lesson plans and activities that cover topics such as animal adaptations, conservation, and specific species studies.
Teachers can also plan a self-guided activity that programs offer to enrich students in on-site experiences and hands-on learning. The Zoo provides grant-funded programs, allowing teachers to sign up for a free field trip. Options include featuring wildlife encounters and habitat exploration for second graders; What’s the Buzz? for third graders at Title I schools, focusing on urbanization’s impact on pollinators; and initiatives for fourth and fifth graders emphasizing scientific observation and conservation.
For teachers wanting to stay in the classroom, the Zoo offers a virtual learning curriculum that includes virtual field trips and recorded explorations throughout the park. Wildlife experts lead these sessions; educators can access these recordings on their company website. The San Diego Zoo is an enticing and engaging field trip destination, offering students an immersive wildlife experience with over 12,000 animals and interactive exhibits. Educational programs, guided tours, and hands-on activities will teach students about conservation and biology engagingly. With grant-funded field trips and curriculum-aligned resources, it’s a fun and enriching experience for all ages.
