Take your School to the Zoo!
Animal adventure awaits! Arrange a self-guided safari for your class, or enhance your wild experience with an age-specific Learning Adventure.
Education Group Pricing:
Per person for more than 15 paying participants.
Self Guided Visit: $15
(Any grade no program)
Preschool – Grade 12 Learning Adventures: $16
(Excluding the Zoo Life tour for grades 7-12)
Animal Encounters for college students &
Zoo Life tour for grades 7-12: $17
(September – April only)
A completed invoice with payment must be returned 2 weeks prior to the scheduled visit.
Wristbands will no longer be issued to school or scout groups.
See the field trip planning guide for more information about renting a pavilion during your field trip.
Learning Adventures by Age
Add these interactive experiences to your field trip! Any program involving a tour (grades 7-12 & college) is available September-April only and is not eligible for the discounted rate. There are new pricing and procedures in 2024. Self guided tours are available any day we are open. Email [email protected] with questions.
Preschool programs can accommodate classrooms up to 20 students and last 45 minutes.
Zoos for Twos (Age 2)
Toddlers will be treated to a story and a song and will have an up-close experience with some friendly animals.
Furry Friends (Ages 3-5)
Preschoolers will learn about the basic needs and adaptations of mammals, while being gently introduced to some furry friends from the Zoo.
Color Zoo (Ages 3-5)
Children will journey through a rainbow of colors in the animal kingdom as they discover the many patterns and shades of the natural world.
Zoo Moves (Ages 3-5)
Animals move in ways people only dream of moving– birds soar above the treetops and monkeys swing from branch to branch. Learn how gorillas knuckle-walk, snakes slither, and rabbits hop in this fun-filled exploration of animal movement.
Super Senses (Ages 3-5)
Preschoolers will discover how different animals use their special senses to help them survive, while comparing their own senses to those of some animal visitors.
Kindergarten Learning Adventures can accommodate classrooms up to 25 students and last 45 minutes.
Zoofari
Take a fun trip around the world without ever leaving the Zoo! Students will learn about animals from the steamy rainforest, the searing African savanna, the coral reefs, and North American forests.
Learning Adventures for grades 1-3 can accommodate classrooms up to 25 students and last 45 minutes.
Pennsylvania Pride
This class introduces students to the wonderful variety of wildlife that lives in Pennsylvania. The students will focus on animals found in their own backyards and learn that conservation begins at home.
Polar Quest
Discover how polar bears, walruses, and sea otters survive their frigid ocean habitats by exploring their unique adaptations.
It’s a Jungle Out There
Students are invited on a special journey into the world’s tropical rainforests. Emphasis is on both the rainforest as a habitat and on what life is like for the animals that live there.
African Adventures
The African Savanna is home to some of the largest and most unique animals on the planet. Discover how the circle of life applies to the creatures that live in this remarkable habitat.
Learning Adventures for grades 4-6 can accommodate classrooms up to 25 students.
Animals in Jeopardy
(45 minutes)
In a lively game of endangered species jeopardy, this class examines why animals are endangered and what zoos and aquariums are doing to help in the conservation of these incredible species.
Exploring the Rainforest
(45 minutes)
Learn about the rainforest ecosystem and the animals that live within. We’ll discuss the challenges facing rainforest conservation and offer suggestions on ways we can help.
One Degree of Change
(45 minutes)
In this program, students will learn about the causes and effects of climate change, including how it impacts animals throughout the world. We’ll discuss Zoo conservation programs and present live animals. Throughout the program, students will be challenged to think about their own actions, and how individual actions can create positive environmental change.
Vertebrates
(45 minutes)
Explore the five vertebrate classifications by examining their similarities and differences.
Sea Turtles, Save Turtles!
(45 minutes)
The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Second Change Program is helping sea turtles in a big way. Join us as we learn about some of the challenges sea turtles are facing and why it’s so important to work towards saving them. Whether you’re on a beach or miles away from the ocean you can do your part to help these beautiful creatures. If we all pitch in, imagine the ocean of possibilities
Animal Observations
(1.5 hours) Available September – April
Take the scientific method out of the textbook and put it into practice
in this hands-on exploration of animal behavior. Discover why we study
ethology (animal behavior), and participate in a behavioral study of
one of our animals.
Learning Adventures for grades 7-12 can accommodate up to 25 students.
A Plan for Survival
(45 minutes)
This interactive program will focus on how zoos are helping to preserve the animals that are rapidly vanishing from our planet. Students will be introduced to the Species Survival Plans that zoos have designed and utilized in their worldwide efforts to preserve species such as Amur tigers, orangutans, and black rhinos.
One Degree of Change
(45 minutes)
Students will learn about the causes and effects of climate change, including how it impacts animals throughout the world. We’ll discuss Zoo conservation programs and present live animals. Throughout the program, students will be challenged to think about their own actions, and how individual actions can create positive environmental change.
Zoo Life: The Inside Scoop
(1.5 hours)
Students will begin in the classroom to learn about the many careers available at the Zoo. Emphasis will be placed on animal related professions. Groups will then be led on a guided tour of the Zoo. This program is available September through April and requires a minimum of 15 students and a maximum of 40 students.
Sea Turtles, Save Turtles!
(45 minutes)
The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Second Change Program is helping sea turtles in a big way. Join us as we learn about some of the challenges sea turtles are facing and why it’s so important to work towards saving them. Whether you’re on a beach or miles away from the ocean you can do your part to help these beautiful creatures. If we all pitch in, imagine the ocean of possibilities
Summer Learning Adventures last 45 minutes and can accommodate groups of 15 or more students. Programs are available Monday through Friday from June 8th through August 14th and are appropriate for organized groups, such as scouts, schools, church groups, and camps. Programs can be scheduled between 1pm and 4pm.
Wonders of Wildlife
Discover fur, feathers, and scales in this introduction to some of the world’s most fascinating animals. We will use live animals to explore the physical characteristics of each animal while learning how they are uniquely adapted to their environments.
The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium offers college students the opportunity to take an inside glimpse behind the scenes with our animals. Choose the program that best fits your needs.
Animal Encounters
This presentation will begin in the classroom where you will meet several of our animal ambassadors while learning how the Zoo supports conservation projects worldwide. Afterwards, you will get a first-hand look at
how we care for our animals by going behind the scenes at two animal exhibits. This program is conducted September through April only with a minimum of 15 students and a maximum of 40 students.
Cyber School
Plan your on-grounds field trip like a traditional brick-and-mortar school, or check out our virtual Learning Adventure programs. These interactive classroom programs feature encounters with live animals, biofacts, and more!
Virtual Learning Programs
Homeschool
Homeschool and cyber school students are encouraged to attend regularly scheduled Homeshool Days at the Zoo! Upcoming Homeschool Days and other recurring classes are available on our Classes page.
Classes
Special Needs Groups
The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium is proud to offer free admission to special needs organizations that serve those with mental, emotional, or physical disabilities. Please see page 1 of the Field Trip Planning Guide below for instructions on how to receive free admission for your group. Please note: free admission is not granted based solely on financial need.
Field Trip Planning GuideField Trip Planning Guide
Schools, colleges, educational organizations, and special needs facilities should explore our Field Trip Planning Guide, which includes information on types of visits, pricing, payment options, lunches and souvenirs, visit policies, and mail-in registration forms.
Reservation Form Guidelines
- Please contact us at [email protected] with any questions or needs prior to submitting a field trip reservation form.
- Group rate is for 15 or more paying participants. School/camp staff is admitted free of charge with ID. If you do not meet the minimum of 15, you do not need a reservation. You may visit any day and pay the gate rate.
- A reservation form should be submitted at least 3 weeks prior to the desired visit in order to receive the group rate.
- Selecting Submit on the online form below will schedule your visit, and you will receive confirmation and an invoice at the contact email address provided within 1-2 business days.
- A completed invoice must be returned 2 weeks prior to the scheduled visit.
- Check all contact information included in the form for accuracy.
- The Zoo is a rain or shine facility and all scheduled programs will take place regardless of weather. Rescheduling cannot be guaranteed.
- The Zoo permits a maximum of 4 adults in each classroom program (any combination of teachers and parents). Special needs aides required to stay with their students may attend as well. For assemblies, all adults may attend if space allows.
- Zoo Life: The Inside Scoop (grades 7-12) is only offered at the $17 rate September – April; no discounted rate is available for this program.