Education Program Topics

FUR, FEATHERS, AND SCALES

What class of animal has fur? How about feathers? Can you name the class of animals that have scales? Join us to study the characteristics of live ambassador animals and related biofacts. Participants will classify each animal by its type of body covering, learn fun facts about each class of animal, and reflect on how we can conserve habitats for all types of wildlife. This program is approximately 30 minutes in length.

MARVELOUS MAMMALS

Mammals are marvelous, in many special ways! Join us to answer the question: How do we know an animal is a mammal? With the help of live ambassador animals and related biofacts from the education department, participants will be able to describe the characteristics mammals share and make real-world connections that will deepen their understanding of how we are all part of the natural world. This program is approximately 30 minutes in length.

BEAUTIFUL BIRDS

Live ambassador animals and related biofacts from the education department will demonstrate the characteristics that all birds share. Participants will also observe different types of beaks to determine how each is specialized for a certain food source. Fun facts will be shared, and participants will discuss how we are all responsible for conserving wildlife habitats. This program is approximately 30 minutes in length.

RADICAL REPTILES

Meet some amazing ambassador animals and learn the characteristics all reptiles share. Biofacts from the education department will also be available to help participants recognize, describe, and classify different types of reptiles. Participants will learn the facts about our scaly friends and discuss how we can protect reptiles and their habitats. This program is approximately 30 minutes in length.

NATIVE ANIMALS

Learn about the unique wildlife of Missouri with the help of live, native ambassador animals and biofacts from the education department. Each animal will be classified by its characteristics. Participants will learn about the niche each animal fills and discuss what we all can do to help conserve wildlife habitats. This program is approximately 30 minutes in length.

ANIMALS OF AUSTRALIA

Australia is home to some unique and very unusual animals! Meet live, Australian native ambassador animals from the education department and learn the special characteristics of each. Participants will learn fun facts about each animal, identify the niche each one fills, and discuss ways to protect all wildlife habitats. This program is approximately 30 minutes in length.

ANIMALS OF AFRICA

With the help of live native African ambassador animals and biofacts from the education department, participants will observe the characteristics of each and identify the niche each one fills in the wilds of Africa. Learn fun facts and discuss how to conserve the habitats of all wildlife. This program is approximately 30 minutes in length.

ONE WORLD…MANY ANIMALS

Earth is ours to share, and the biodiversity of wildlife both reflects and is integral to the health of our planet. This program will feature biofacts and a few live ambassador animals from the education department that are native to South America, Africa, Australia, and/or North America. We will learn fun facts, classify each animal based on its characteristics, and identify the niche each one fills in its natural habitat. Finally, we will identify examples of conservation and discuss ways each of us can make a positive impact on our planet. This program is approximately 30 minutes in length.

ANIMAL ADAPTATIONS

This program explores the adaptations of a variety of live animals from the education department. Participants will learn how an animal’s adaptations help it survive and thrive in its ecosystem and how each animal fills a niche necessary for a healthy ecosystem. This program is approximately 30 minutes in length.

FOOD CHAINS

This program explains a food chain by featuring a small mammal, a snake, a bird of prey, and a scavenger from the education department. Participants will learn how animals are interconnected and transfer energy by filling a niche. We will also learn how food chains make up larger food webs and how each niche is necessary for the health of an ecosystem. This program is approximately 45 minutes in length.

ENDANGERED SPECIES

Live ambassador animals-a bird, a mammal, or a reptile-are presented in this program. Each species was or is currently listed as endangered. Participants will learn the reasons why, including the impact human activity had on each species, and the niche each animal fills in its ecosystem. Finally, we will discuss how we are all responsible for conserving wildlife habitats. This program is approximately 30 minutes in length.

ANIMALS OF THE NIGHT

Bird, mammal, and reptile adaptations for nocturnal survival are featured in this program. Participants will meet live ambassador animals, learn the niche each animal fills, and the “night-life” adaptations of each. This program is approximately 30 minutes in length.

CREEPY CRAWLIES

Yikes!! This program includes some of the completely cool ambassador animals from the education department. Participants will learn about the niche each animal fills and species adaptations for survival that some people may find downright creepy! This program is approximately 30 minutes in length.

TREMENDOUS TESTUDINES

The eternal question: What is the difference between a tortoise and a turtle? Live, shelled ambassador animals from the education department will slow down long enough to answer that question, plus they will demonstrate some of their adaptations for survival. Participants will learn more fun facts about Testudines’ characteristics and the niche each animal fills. This program is approximately 30 minutes in length.

SSSSENSSSATIONAL SSSSNAKESSS

Meet ssssome awesssome snake ambassador animals in this program. Participants will learn about the survival adaptations of our slithery friends, fun facts, and the niche of each. This program is approximately 30 minutes in length.

Bird of Prey Program Topics

Each program focuses on the importance of these birds in a healthy ecosystem.

OWLS OF MISSOURI

The resident owls of Missouri will be presented (screech owl, barn owl, barred owl, and great-horned owl). Specific adaptations for raptors’ survival will be presented. Participants will also explore diurnal, nocturnal, and crepuscular behaviors and adaptations. Approximately 45 minutes in length. If only 3 owls are used, the program is approximately 30 minutes in length.

HAWK TALK

Less common than the red-tailed hawk, but extremely interesting, are the Swainson’s hawk and Broad-winged Hawk. These hawks actually migrate to Central and South America each year. The bird frequently called a “sparrow hawk” in the Ozarks is not actually a hawk at all; it’s a falcon! Participants will observe the American kestrel to be able to identify them in the wild and become familiar with their vocalizations. Approximately 30 minutes in length.

DAY SHIFT, NIGHT SHIFT, AND GARBAGE GAL

Compare and contrast diurnal and nocturnal raptors. Participants will also compare and contrast the adaptations of the turkey vulture to other raptors. Approximately 45 minutes in length.

BUILT FOR FLIGHT

This program will feature the peregrine falcon, the world’s fastest bird species. Learn adaptations that help the peregrine falcon survive at speeds of over 200 mph. You will also see a non-flighted bird to compare and contrast feathers used for flight. Find out how some birds fly without sound or can hover. Biofacts will be used to infer why some birds do not fly or do not fly well. Approximately 45 minutes in length.

EAGLES OF NORTH AMERICA

This program will feature our National Symbol, the bald eagle and the golden eagle. Find out what factors contributed to the demise of the bald eagle population and what conservation efforts worked to remove the bald eagle from the endangered species list. We will also compare and contrast the bald eagle with the golden eagle. Specific characteristics will help to determine the difference between a juvenile bald eagle and the mature golden eagle. Approximately 50 minutes in length.

BALD EAGLE

This program will feature our National Symbol, the bald eagle. Find out what factors contributed to the demise of the bald eagle population and what conservation efforts worked to remove the bald eagle from the endangered species list. Approximately 45 minutes in length.

GOLDEN EAGLE

What man-made invention is currently is affecting the population of Golden Eagles in North America? Learn more about the second species of eagle found on the North American continent and the important symbolism in another North American country. Approximately 30 minutes in length.