In the Education section:
Join us for a fun and educational day at the zoo with special
programs for home school children and families.
Register online!
The Birmingham Zoo Education Department has home school science classes
for children in 1st-12th grade. We also offer home school art classes
and day classes for 2nd-12th grades.
Pre-registration is required for all classes.
All children must be covered by the Birmingham Zoo membership to get the discount.
Parents may not stay with their children for classes.
All classes can be registered for online at our website at
www.birminghamzoo.com.
You can also call (205) 397-3864 or (205) 397-3877 for more information
and to register or email cbrooks@birminghamzoo.com
or camps@birminghamzoo.com.
Refund Policy: Refund requests or class changes must be
requested a minimum of 24 hours in advance of the class date. We will be unable
to give any refunds or make any changes once the deadline has passed. A $5.00 processing
fee will be retained for each refund request. All credit must be used within the
current semester and may not be
transferred to future semesters. Students will not be able to make up any classes
missed. We are sorry but we are unable to make any exceptions. Thank you.
We would like to thank the families that have already attended our education programs.
If you would like to share your experiences and ideas, please complete this short
survey to help us improve our future programs. To complete the survey,
please click here.
Home School Science Classes
The Birmingham Zoo education department
has home school science classes for children in 1st-12th grade. Classes consist
of animal visits, class discussions, in-class work, activities, labs, and homework.
Some class materials will be sent home to aid students. Classes are designed to
build on one another, but students are not required to attend all topics.
Pre-registration is required.
1st – 6th Grade Science Classes
Class Time
Thursday 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Cost
$8.00/student/class for members
$12.00/student/class for non-members
1st – 3rd Grade Class Schedule
|
Topic
|
Thursday
1:30 – 3:30 |
|---|---|
|
Habitats
|
 Sept 16 |
|
Tropical Rain Forests
|
Sept 30 |
|
Temperate Forests
|
Oct 14 |
|
Grasslands
|
Oct 28 |
|
Taiga & Tundra
|
Nov 18 |
|
Deserts
|
Dec 9 |
Legend
= Open Class
= Closed Class
4th – 6th Grade Class Schedule
|
Topic
|
Thursday
1:30 – 3:30 |
|---|---|
|
Biomes & Climate Zones
|
Sept 16 |
|
Deserts
|
Sept 30 |
|
Grasslands
|
Oct 14 |
|
RainForests
|
Oct 28 |
|
Temperate Forests
|
Nov 18 |
|
Taiga & Tundra
|
Dec 9 |
Legend
= Open Class
= Closed Class
= Class Not Offered
7th-12th grade Science Classes
Class Time
Thursday 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm
Cost
$10.00/student/class for members
$14.00/student/class for non-members
7th – 9th Grade Class Schedule
|
Topic
|
Thursday
1:30 – 4:00 |
|---|---|
|
What is a Rain Forest?
|
Sept 9 |
|
Energy in the Rain Forest
|
Sept 23 |
|
Rain Forests Research & Conservation
|
Oct 7 |
|
What is a Wetland?
|
Oct 21 |
|
Challenges for Wetland Survival
|
Nov 4 |
|
Conflicts in Wetlands
|
Dec 2 |
Legend
= Open Class
= Closed Class
= Class Not Offered
10th – 12th Grade Class Schedule
|
Topic
|
Thursday
1:30 – 4:00 |
|---|---|
|
Living Earth
|
Sept 9 |
|
Population Dynamics
|
Sept 23 |
|
Changing Populations
|
Oct 7 |
|
Interactions within Communities
|
Oct 21 |
|
Cycles in Nature
|
Nov 4 |
|
Energy Flow
|
Dec 2 |
Legend
= Open Class
= Closed Class
= Class Not Offered
Home School Art Classes
2nd-12th grade
Students will learn to develop basic drawing and painting skills with animals as
their
centerpiece. Live animals may be brought to the classroom or students may go see
animals on exhibit.
Classes for similar grades are held on
afternoons of opposite weeks from Home School Science 1st-6th grade classes or on
mornings of the same week for 7th-12th grade classes to allow for greater convenience.
Pre-registration is required.
Cost:
$12.00/student/class for members
$16.00/student/class for non-members
2nd – 6th Grade
Art Class Schedule
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
|
Topic
|
Thursday
1:30 – 3:30 |
|---|---|
|
Line Drawing Birds
|
Sept 9 |
|
Tints and Shades Desert Animals
|
Sept 23 |
|
Wax Resist Savanna Animals
|
Oct 7 |
|
Cut Paper Aquatic Animals
|
Oct 21 |
| Chalk Drawing Prey Animals |
Nov 4 |
|
Acrylic Painted Predators
|
Dec 2 |
Legend
= Open Class
= Closed Class
7th – 12th Grade
Art Class Schedule
9:00 am – 11:00 am
|
Topic
|
Thursday
9:00am – 11:00am |
|---|---|
|
Line Drawing Australian Animals
|
Sept 9 |
|
Tints and Shades Prey Animals
|
Sept 23 |
|
Wax Resist Predators
|
Oct 7 |
|
Cut Paper Desert Animals
|
Oct 21 |
| Chalk Drawing Aquatic Animals |
Nov 4 |
|
Acrylic Painted Birds
|
Dec 2 |
Home School Days
Students will complete activities in the classroom and in the Zoo and visit appropriate
animal areas in these longer classes. Lunch can be added for $6 per student. It
includes a hamburger, baked chicken nuggets, turkey wrap, cheese quesadilla, or
hot dog with chips & a drink. Students may also bring their own lunch. A refrigerator
is available.
Pre-registration is required.
Class Time
Friday 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Cost
$20.00/student/class for members
$25.00/student/class for non-members
2nd-4th grade
2nd – 4th grade Home School Days
|
Topic
|
Friday
9:00 – 2:00 |
|---|---|
|
What are Zoos and Zoo Keepers?
|
Sept 24 |
|
Nature is All Around Us
|
Nov 12 |
Sept. 24 What are Zoos and Zookeepers?
Learn about the roles of zoos and what happens at a zoo. Discover what zookeepers
do each day to take care of the variety of animals that live here.
Nov. 12 Nature Is All Around Us
Discover the amazing world just outside your door. Learn fascinating facts about
Alabama and its organisms. Visit the Nature Trading Post and trade a nature item
from home for something new. (Be sure to bring a nature item for trade—guidelines
posted on website)
5th-8th grade
5th – 8th grade Home School Days
|
Topic
|
Friday
9:00 – 2:00 |
|---|---|
| The Role of an Organism in the Community |
Sept 24 |
|
The World Around Us
|
Nov 12 |
Sept. 24 The Role of an Organism in the Community
Explore food webs and community interactions while learning about the roles of individual
species within communities and ecosystems.
Nov. 12 The World Around Us
Discover the features that make Alabama unique and learn about the incredible biodiversity
found in our backyard. Investigate the connections between people and nature. Visit
the Nature Trading Post and trade a nature item brought from home for something
new. (Be sure to bring a nature item for trade—guidelines posted on website)
Legend
= Open Class
= Closed Class
