Zoo to You programs are a fabZOOlous way to bring learning to life. For scheduling and pricing, please call 417-833-1570. Pre-K and kindergarten teachers, ask about Animal Encounters with monthly visits from September-May.
Dickerson Park Zoo is a division of the Springfield-Greene County Park Board and an accredited member institution of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums.
417-833-1570
Email: info@dickersonparkzoo.org
Dickerson Park Zoo
3043 North Fort Springfield, MO 65803
OPEN 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Classes Booking Cart
Zoo to You
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 three to four 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 three 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
Three to four 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 at least three 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.
Animals of South America
Learn about the diversified wildlife of South America with the help of three native South American 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 three native Australian 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 three 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 more about 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 minimum of three 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.
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 40 minutes in length.
Endangered Species
Three ambassador animals-a bird, a mammal, and 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. 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 a minimum of three 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 at least three 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? At least three 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 at leasssst three 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 four resident owls of Missouri will be presented (screech owl, barn owl, barred owl, and great-horned owl). Specific adaptations for nocturnal raptors’ survival will be presented. Approximately 50 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! Students will see the American Kestrel to be able to identify them in the wild and become familiar with their vocalization. Approximately 30 minutes in length.
Day Shift, Night Shift, and Garbage Gal
Compare and contrast diurnal and nocturnal raptors. And, even though the turkey vulture eats meat, compare and contrast the adaptations of the turkey vulture to other raptors. Approximately 40 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 40 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 40 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. Approximately 30 minutes in length.