Join us at the "Zoo School" for a fun and exciting field trip experience!

EdZOOcator 2012-2013 School Year for K - 5th

Click HERE to Download

EdZOOcator 2012-2013 School Year for 6th - 12th

Click HERE to Download

Animal Presentation at the Zoo

Come face to face with our live animal ambassadors.

Program Information:
• Ages 5 to adult
• 30 minutes
• 1-150 participants, including chaperones.

• Cost: $300

• Zoo access before/after presentation is not included. Please see Field Trip Group Rates for pricing.

THEMES AVAILABLE:

• African Safari Discover how amazing African animals are adapted to the diverse habitats of this massive continent.
• Amazing Australia “The land down under” is home to some of the most unique and unusual animals on the planet. Walkabout with us as we explore some of these creature features.
• Native Florida Some of the most amazing animals on this planet are in our own backyard.  Learn to appreciate Florida’s wildlife and the challenges facing their preservation.
• Rainforest Adventure Covering less than 2% of the Earth’s surface, rainforests are home to 50% of all life!  Journey from the top of the canopy to the roots of the trees, as we explore some of the wildlife that call the rainforest home.
• Wildlife Careers Discover what it takes to have a career working with wildlife as you meet some animal ambassadors in this enlightening program.
  
  Please call 813-935-8552 ext. 268
  to schedule.
  

Zoo Wide Scavenger Hunts

Use your animal instincts to solve clues, work together, and have fun with Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo’s scavenger hunts such as ZSI: Zoo Scene Investigation. Scavenge smartly and hunt hurriedly…the winning group gets a prize.

Program Information:
• Ages 5 to adult
• 60 minutes
• 1-100 participants $125
• 101-200 participants $225
• Zoo admission is required. Please see Field Trip Group Rates for pricing.
• Scavenger hunts must be booked in advance.

Call (813) 935-8552 ext. 268 to schedule.

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Inside Look Tour
Take a sneak peek behind-the-scenes as you glimpse into the inner workings of a zoo. During this program, your group will visit the Zoo’s commissary where the animals’ diets are made, tour our world-class manatee hospital, and have an up-close animal interaction.

Program Information:

• Ages 5 to adult
• 30-45 minutes
• 15-60 participants, including chaperones
• Large groups must be divided into groups of 20 or fewer participants for tour
• $10 per participant (students and chaperones)
• Zoo access before/after program is not included. Please see Field Trip Group Rates for pricing.

Call (813) 935-8552 ext. 268 to schedule.

Choose from amazing animal encounters or a guided tour from one of our animal experts for an "EdZOOcational" adventure!

All programs integrate Sunshine State Standards and will help students meet their FCAT benchmarks. Programs available for grades K-12.

A big thank you to everyone who entered our art competition!

This annual contest is open to Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk, Pasco, Hernando public, private and home school students. Contest winners received complimentary admission to Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo, VIP tour behind the scenes of the Zoo and an interactive animal experience. Please check back in September 2013 for our annual contest guidelines.

The theme of the art contest was 'Why we should save orangutans'

Nathan, 7 years old attends St. Joseph’s Catholic School of Winter Haven was our Kindergarten- 5th grade contest winner. "When I was drawing the poster, I remembered watching Orangutan Island on Animal Planet. I loved to watch them play, act like people too, how smart they are and I loved to watch them eat. They looked so happy in the rainforest. I can imagine them so scarred and running away because of the burning of their home, they won’t have food to eat or a place to live. That was how selected what to draw."

The theme of the essay contest was 'Protecting our Plant '
Ruchi 11, year old attends Terrace Community Middle School of Thonotosassa was our 6-12th grade contest winner. "This was a thrilling experience! I was overjoyed to win this contest. I would like to thank my mom and dad and Ms Whittemore from Terrace Community Middle School (TCMS) for encouraging me to enter this contest. I hope people become more aware of the environment and make an effort to protect our plants and wildlife."

Pamela Bender, a teacher from Brooker Creek Elementary won a Galaxy Tablet made possible by Buddy's Home Appliances.

"Not only is Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo the best children's zoo, it is also a place that makes teacher's wishes come true!" - Pamela

Field Trips

Grades Pre-K - 12 & College Students

• 1 free chaperone per 5 students in grades Pre-K and Kindergarten
• 1 free chaperone per 10 students grades 1 and up and mixed groups (ex. a group with K-3 grades)
• Free parking
• Free admission for bus drivers
• Minimum of 15 paying visitors required for group rate
  
  Click HERE for pricing and to register for your field trip
  

Save Time & Money by Pre-Ordering Lunches & Gift Bags

Pre-Ordered Lunch Packages
Avoid long lines and pick up your pre-ordered items to enhance your school group's experience.

Click HERE to learn more about school group lunch packages at the Zoo.

Questions? Call 813-935-8552 ext. 239 or email.

Pre-Ordered Gift Bags
We offer a gift bag program that allows students to purchase a souvenir without shopping in the
gift shop.

$3.00 Gift Bag Includes:

• Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo postcard
• Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo pencil
• Surprise items (such as a keychain, small toy, stickers, etc.)
  

For an additional fee, gift bags can feature specific animals and/or include a plush. Bags will be available for pick up at the main gate gift shop on the day of you visit.

Call the gift shop buyer at (813) 935-8552 ext. 215 to order your gift bags.
Must be ordered in advance.

Wetlands Connection

Looking for an educational experience focusing on Florida’s environment? This program is perfect for students to learn the importance of wetlands and the vital role they play in Florida’s ecology. While at the Zoo, students will participate in an experiment, have an encounter with an animal ambassador, go on a scavenger hunt, and more.

Program Information:
• Grades 4-8
• 3 hours, with 30 minutes included for lunch
• 15 -60 participants, including chaperones
• $14 per student
• 1 free chaperone per 10 students

• $14 for additional chaperones
• Zoo access before/after program is not included. Please see Field Trip Group Rates for pricing.

Call (813) 935-8552 ext. 268 to schedule.

Educator Curriculum For Field Trips to Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo

Elementary School Educator’s Activity Guide Download (PDF)

6th-12th Grade- Updated Curriculum COMING SOON!

 

The Recycling Invasive Plants (RIP) Teacher Packet Download (PDF)

Wetlands Connections Teacher Packet Download (PDF)

Primate Observation Histogram
Instructions for Primate Log Download (PDF)
Primate Observation Log Download (PDF)

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Zoo Adventure Programs

Your group will get unique insight and behind-the-scenes information on one of the Zoo’s amazing animal areas with these tours led by a knowledgeable Zoo guide.

Program Information:

• Ages 5 to adult
• 45-60 minutes
• 15-60 participants, including chaperones
• $4 per student
• 1 free chaperone per 10 students
• $4 for additional chaperones

• Zoo access before/after tour is not icluded. Please see Field Trip Rates for pricing.

 

Tour Area Options:
Florida Boardwalk: Meet the original Florida natives past, present, and some with a future unknown.
Primate World: Bring your group of primates to meet ours and learn about the cool characteristics of our closest cousins in the animal kingdom.
Asian Gardens: From unusual Tapirs to rare Malaysian Tigers, explore the fascinating animals of this massive continent.
Safari Africa: The African savannah is home to elusive and diverse wildlife as well as some of the world’s largest land mammals. Take a trek to see what African animals you can discover.

Call (813) 935-8552 ext. 268 to schedule.
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Team Building Trek

Looking for a fun way to boost individuals connecting together in a team? Team Building Trek is a 1.5 hour series of activities designed to build leadership, communication and team-work among your group.  The Trek begins with an activity that will help group members identify their “leadership species” (their personal style of working with others), followed by a team problem-solving challenge that will test your group’s ability to work as a team.  The session wraps up with a mini-scavenger hunt in the zoo based the “leadership species” of your group.     

Ages: teen – adult
Cost: 15 - 30 participants $250, 31 - 60 participants $350
Zoo access is not required for this program, however, Zoo access can be included for a discounted group rate.  Group rates must be scheduled in advance and one person needs to pay for everyone on the day of your visit.

Call (813) 935-8552 ext. 268 to schedule.

Animal Careers Workshops

Discover more about animal related careers and get to know some of the animals at the Zoo up-close. The workshop includes an introduction to animal careers, an animal encounter, a Zoo tour including a “behind-the-scenes” component and an animal enrichment or husbandry experience, a mini service project, and a certificate acknowledging the service hours earned through the workshop

Program Information:

• Grades 6-12
• 2.5 hours
• 15-60 participants, including chaperones
• Large groups must be divided into groups of 20 or fewer participants for parts of the workshop
• $14 per student
• 1 free chaperone per 10 students
• $14 for additional chaperones
• Zoo access before/after program is not included. Please see Field Trip Group Rates for pricing.

Call (813) 935-8552 ext. 268 to schedule.
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Jurassic Journeys

Discover what the animals living in the Zoo today have in common with their prehistoric predecessors. This family friendly tour begins in the present and ends millions of years in the past.

Program Information:

• Ages: 5 to adult
• 60 minutes
• $10 per participant
• $150 flat rate for groups under 15 participants
• Includes entrance into DinoQuest2. Does not include Zoo admission before/after program. However, Zoo access can be added for a discounted group rate. Group rates must be scheduled in advance.
• Available March-May

Call (813) 935-8552 ext. 268 to schedule.

2013 Teacher Appreciation Offers!

See the last page of the EdZOOcator (above) for your coupons for a FREE Zoo ticket and a FREE ticket to DinoNites.

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Click HERE for more info on Tours & Special Experiences at the Zoo.

Great American Teach In 2012 - 2013

Each year we are pleased to have the opportunity to participate in this important educational opportunity. This year, we were humbled to receive more than 150 requests for speakers from teachers, administrators, parents and students. We are proud that 15 staff members and volunteers dedicated time to visit 10 Bay area schools, reaching more than 2,200 children.

Please see below for a number of alternative programs offered year-round, specifically designed to support classroom education and curriculum.

Teacher Resources
• Pre and Post Field Trip Materials - The Zoo School offers curriculum designed to prepare and enhance your students’ learning opportunities and experience at the Zoo.
• Team Leader Meetings and Teacher Workshops – We offer dedicated classroom space for teacher meetings, by reservation.

In-Zoo Programs
• Self-Guided Field Trips to the Zoo at great discounts.
• Guided Tours of various areas of the Zoo.
• Scavenger Hunts and Team Building Activities to enhance your visit.
• Animal presentations with the Zoo's Animal Ambassadors.

Offsite Programs
• The Zoo's Educators will bring live animals directly to your school in exciting and educational programs.
• Annual Art and Essay Contests to help build awareness of wildlife conservation.

Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization that depends on the work of staff, volunteers and committed supporters throughout our community to provide quality programs and services. We can appreciate firsthand your hard work and that of your colleagues to provide excellence in education, and hope that we can work together in that endeavor.

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Teacher Advisory Council

The Zoo’s Teacher Advisory Council is composed of certified teachers and educators who are able to commit to a two-year term to advise us on our educational programs, discuss the changing needs of today’s teachers and serve as liaisons between the Zoo and their school. If you would like more information or an application to be a member of the Zoo’s Teacher Advisory Council for 2012-2013, please email.

STUDENT RESOURCE GUIDE

Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo is dedicated to serving as an educational resource for the community.

We receive many requests from students of all ages who are seeking to pursue projects or homework assignments at the Zoo, and we greatly appreciate the interest. Unfortunately we recive too many request to assist with each one individually. However, we have created this student resource guide to assist with some of the most commonly asked questions/requests.

Click HERE to learn more about the Zoo’s commitment to conservation, education and research.