What to Expect
75 Minutes of Standards-Aligned, Animal-Powered Learning
Our 75-minute classroom encounters combine standards-aligned science instruction with the excitement of meeting live animal ambassadors. Each experience is designed to encourage curiosity, observation, questioning, and meaningful connections between classroom science and the natural world.
YOUR 75-MINUTE ENCOUNTER
0–10 MINUTES | WELCOME, INTRODUCTIONS & SAFETY
We’ll begin by introducing ourselves and some of the animal ambassadors joining us for the day.
Before interacting with any animals, students will learn our expectations for:
• Respecting our animal ambassadors
• Safe and appropriate animal interactions
• Listening and following directions
• Proper hygiene and handwashing
• Making sure the experience is safe and enjoyable for students AND animals
Participation in animal interactions is always optional.
10–15 MINUTES | TODAY’S SCIENCE MISSION
It’s time to find out what our animals can teach us!
We’ll introduce the science topic for the day and prepare students with questions, concepts, and things to watch for as they meet our animal ambassadors.
Our goal is for students to do more than simply see an exciting animal—we want them to discover what that animal can teach us about science.
15–45 MINUTES | ANIMAL-POWERED SCIENCE
For approximately 30 minutes, students will participate in an interactive, standards-aligned science lesson using our animal ambassadors as real-world examples.
Depending on the program, students may explore concepts such as life cycles, adaptations, habitats, structures and functions, animal needs, ecosystems, inheritance, and more.
Students are encouraged to observe, think, compare, make connections, and ask questions throughout the lesson.
45–75 MINUTES | MEET THE ANIMAL AMBASSADORS
Now it’s time to experience our animals up close!
The final 30 minutes are reserved for meeting multiple animal ambassadors, asking questions, making observations, and participating in supervised hands-on opportunities when appropriate.
This isn't separate from the science lesson—it is an opportunity for students to apply what they have learned to a living animal right in front of them.
Some ambassadors may be gently touched or handled, while others are best experienced through close observation. Interaction opportunities depend on the species, individual animal, and the animal’s comfort that day.
Time is also built into this portion of the encounter for safe transitions between animals and proper hand hygiene.
BEFORE WE ARRIVE
A few simple preparations can help us make the most of our 75 minutes together:
• Please have students seated and ready to begin at the scheduled start time.
• A small table or designated presentation area at the front of the classroom is helpful.
• Teachers and school staff remain responsible for classroom management throughout the encounter.
• Please let us know ahead of time about relevant classroom needs, significant animal fears or phobias, allergies or sensitivities, or school-specific animal policies.
• Access to a handwashing area is preferred when available. We will discuss hygiene procedures with students before any animal interaction.
A NOTE ABOUT OUR ANIMAL AMBASSADORS
Animal welfare always comes first.
Every animal has different needs, personalities, and comfort levels. The ambassadors participating in an encounter—and the type of interaction available with each—may vary.
We never force an animal to participate in an interaction. If an ambassador tells us through their behavior that they need a break, we listen!
This also gives students an important real-world lesson in responsible animal care, respect, and stewardship.
QUESTIONS ARE ENCOURAGED!
Curiosity is one of our favorite parts of science.
Students are welcome to ask questions throughout the encounter, especially while meeting our animal ambassadors. Some of the best learning happens when a student notices something unexpected and simply asks:
“Why does it do that?”
We can’t wait to bring science to life in your classroom!