Many of our programs are specifically themed and tailored to suit specific age groups and state standards. View descriptions of our program offerings below.

Programs are booked in sessions; each session includes admission for a maximum of 30 students and an unlimited number of adult chaperones.

(New Bedford Schools are free)

Many of our programs are specifically themed and tailored to suit specific age groups and state standards. View descriptions of our program offerings below.

Programs are booked in sessions; each session includes admission for a maximum of 30 students and an unlimited number of adult chaperones.

(New Bedford Schools are free)

The Guided Tours presents groups with the opportunity to walk a portion of the zoo while accompanied by a BPZOO educator, enriching the experience with tailored interpretation.

Customizable Guided Tours can accommodate a group of up to 30 participants and can be booked in 30-minute increments for $50 per half hour. Groups larger than 30 participants must purchase multiple sessions and self-organize to abide by occupancy restrictions. It is difficult to estimate the speed of a group but note that 30 minutes is likely not enough time to traverse the entire zoo; we will make every effort to visit a specific habitat should there be a request, although we cannot guarantee the animal will be visible and active.

Guided tours are not included free of charge to New Bedford Schools.

Our educators can come to you! These 45-minute programs
are $200 per session for all groups.

Notes on programming:

• Max of 30 individuals per program
• There is an additional $1 per mile round
  trip mileage fee dependent on the location
• The Zoo2You program cannot go to private homes
• For the health and safety of our Animal Ambassadors, the total duration of a Zoo2You experience (including transportation to and from your organization) cannot exceed 5 hours. If you require more programs than can fit in that timeframe, please contact us about booking multiple dates or find a date that can accommodate multiple Zoo Educators teaching programs concurrently.
• We cannot promise specific animals will be available; while we make every effort to honor preferences, animal welfare is of the utmost importance to us. There are a number of factors that may impact availability including season, time and distance away from the Zoo, and routine training and veterinary needs.

Animal Senses (45, Onsite Only): This station-based program uses the group’s very own chaperones to facilitate a rotation of exploration during which students will use their different senses to complete challenges, then figure out which animals might be the super stars of each sense! This program includes an Animal Ambassador encounter.

Habitats (45, Onsite or Zoo2You): This program involves a hands-on matching game to discover which components of a habitat are living versus non-living, a call and response exploration of the 10 major types of habitats, a story book about what a successful habitat includes, and an Animal Ambassador encounter to apply our new knowledge!

Life Cycles (45, Onsite or Zoo2You): This program begins with a story that explores the different types of animal life cycles, continues with a hands-on matching game to discover how animals change from baby to adult followed by an opportunity to get silly as we act those life cycles out, and ends with an Animal Ambassador encounter.

Adaptations (45, Onsite or Zoo2You): This inquiry-based program about how animals solve problems begins with a creative exploration of human tools that mirror different wild adaptions, then gives students an opportunity to learn about one of our different Animal Ambassadors by challenging them to use their own observations to draw scientifically-valid conclusions.

Animal Senses (45, Onsite Only): This station-based program uses the group’s very own chaperones to facilitate a rotation of exploration during which students will use their different senses to complete challenges, then figure out which animals might be the super stars of each sense! This program includes an Animal Ambassador encounter.

Habitats (45, Onsite or Zoo2You): This program begins with an interactive lesson on what a successful habitat includes, continues with a hands-on matching game to discover which animals thrive in each major habitat and why, then ends with an encounter that challenges students to observe our Animal Ambassador’s adaptations in order to deduce which habitat it calls home.

Life Cycles (45, Onsite or Zoo2You): This program begins with a story that explores the different types of animal life cycles, continues with a hands-on matching game to discover how animals change from baby to adult followed by an opportunity to get silly as we act those life cycles out, and ends with an Animal Ambassador encounter.

Sun & Moon (45, Onsite Only): This program includes a movement activity alongside a Science on a Sphere demonstration exploring how the Sun and Moon impact life here on Earth, including what makes a day, a year, and a season.

Water (45, Onsite Only): This program includes an activity highlighting the importance of water as a resource and a Science on a Sphere demonstration exploring where water is on Earth, how it moves around, and why it is so important to life on our planet.

Adaptations (45, Onsite or Zoo2You): This inquiry-based program about how animals solve problems begins with a creative exploration of human tools that mirror different wild adaptions, then gives students an opportunity to learn about one of our different Animal Ambassadors by challenging them to use their own observations to draw scientifically-valid conclusions.

Energy & Living Things (45, Onsite or Zoo2You): This activity-based program explores the different ways that scientists sort and classify the many organisms in the world, where their energy comes from, and how that energy flows between them. This program includes an Animal Ambassador encounter.

Sun & Moon (45, Onsite Only): This program includes a movement activity alongside a Science on a Sphere demonstration exploring how the Sun and Moon impact life here on Earth, including what makes a day, a year, and a season.

Water (45, Onsite Only): This program includes an activity highlighting the importance of water as a resource and a Science on a Sphere demonstration exploring where water is on Earth, how it moves around, and why it is so important to life on our planet.

Adaptations (45, Onsite or Zoo2You): This inquiry-based program about how animals solve problems begins with a creative exploration of human tools that mirror different wild adaptions, then gives students an opportunity to learn about one of our different Animal Ambassadors by challenging them to use their own observations to draw scientifically-valid conclusions.

Bones Tell the Tale (45, Onsite or Zoo2You): This activity-based program gives students an opportunity to think critically about the evolution of animal species by comparing and contrasting different skulls, then to use their observations skills to draw scientifically-valid conclusions about one of our Animal Ambassadors.

Climate Change & Conservation (45, Onsite Only): This Science on a Sphere program explores the available evidence of climate change, discusses its causes and effects, and challenges students to think critically about the future of Earth’s climate and how we can take action.

Our Solar System (45, Onsite Only): This Science on a Sphere program explores our Solar System by viewing the surfaces of each planet and thinking critically about how and why they have key similarities and differences, particularly focusing on the aspects of Earth that are unique and vital to life.

Zoos & Why They Matter (45, Onsite Only): This experience-based program discusses the history of zoos, challenges students to think critically about why different animals are kept in captivity, and concludes with an Animal Ambassador encounter.

Adaptations (45, Onsite or Zoo2You): This inquiry-based program about how animals solve problems begins with a creative exploration of human tools that mirror different wild adaptions, then gives students an opportunity to learn about one of our different Animal Ambassadors by challenging them to use their own observations to draw scientifically-valid conclusions.

Bones Tell the Tale (45, Onsite or Zoo2You): This activity-based program gives students an opportunity to think critically about the evolution of animal species by comparing and contrasting different skulls, then to use their observations skills to draw scientifically-valid conclusions about one of our Animal Ambassadors.

Climate Change & Conservation (45, Onsite Only): This Science on a Sphere program explores the available evidence of climate change, discusses its causes and effects, and challenges students to think critically about the future of Earth’s climate and how we can take action.

Zoos & Why They Matter (45, Onsite Only): This experience-based program discusses the history of zoos, challenges students to think critically about why different animals are kept in captivity, and concludes with an Animal Ambassador encounter.

This 20 minute program utilizes our Science on a Sphere technology to explore our Solar System by viewing the surfaces of each planet and thinking critically about how and why they have key similarities and differences, particularly focusing on the aspects of Earth that are unique and vital to life.

This 20 minute program utilizes our Science on a Sphere technology to dive into the mechanisms behind plate tectonics and explores available evidence for how this phenomenon serves as a driving force behind evolution.

This 20 minute program utilizes our Science on a Sphere technology to explore how the Sun and Moon impact life here on Earth, including what makes a day, a year, and a season.

This 20 minute program utilizes our Science on a Sphere technology to explore where water is on Earth, how it moves around, and why it is so important to life on our planet.

This 20 minute program utilizes our Science on a Sphere technology to explore the different types of weather events and climate patterns on Earth, their causes and effects, and how they impact animals and their habitats.

This 20 minute programs is an up close and personal encounter with one of our Ambassador Animals and focuses on the animal’s natural history and conservation action. Please be aware that specific Ambassadors can be requested in order of preference, but no specific animal can be guaranteed. Please mention any phobias or allergies that should be considered by our staff in preparation for your group.