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Join our Teacher Newsletter! | Field Trip Information | Self-Guided Safaris | EDventure! | Homeschool Tuesdays | Bedtime with the Beasts | Zoomobile Outreach Program | Bird Show Outreach | Borrow a Zoobox | Teacher In-Service Opportunities

Field Trip Information

Institutions qualifying for school group rates are accredited schools, preschools, year-round day cares, head start programs and organized home schools. All other groups in need of information on rates should contact our Group Sales Department at 865.637.5331 x307.

If your group qualifies for the school group rate as described above, follow the below registration procedures:

Registration

• Download the Field Trip Reservation Form or call the Education Department at 865.637.5331 x350.
• If you choose to call the Education Department, please have the following information ready:
• Your Name
• School Name
• Correct Mailing Address (must include a street number or PO Box)
• City, State, and Zip Code
• School Phone Number (with area code)
• Return your completed Reservation Form to the zoo either by mail or fax (865.637.1943). Return your completed form three (3) weeks prior to your zoo visit.
• No reservations are made by phone. You are not registered for our school group rates until we receive and process your Reservation Form!
• Once registered, you will be mailed a confirmation packet that includes information on arrival procedures, zoo rules, and suggested activities. The confirmation packet includes information that will speed up your admission payment and entry into the zoo.
• School group rates apply only if the entire group pays in one lump sum. Any group members paying individually will be charged regular FULL PRICE Zoo admission. Don't forget that parking costs $3 per vehicle and buses park free.
• All cancellations and reservation changes (including rain dates) must be called in to the Education Department at 865.637.5331 x350.
• Box lunches must be ordered 3 weeks in advance of your visit date. Pay in one lump sum at Safari Grill. NO SHOWS for box lunches will be billed.

Click here for a downloadable Field Trip Reservation Form!

For more information call 865.637.5331 x350 or email us at zooed@knoxville-zoo.org.

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Self-Guided Safaris

Did you know that just by walking through the zoo, you could fulfill Tennessee State Standards and meet TCAP objectives across the curriculum! Themed tour packets are available for all grade levels. You and your chaperones can make your field trip an active part of your yearly studies.

Click here for downloadable Self-Guided Safari topics and standards!

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EDventure!

Learning for students of ALL ages!

Knoxville Zoo can be a tremendous resource! Enhance your visit with the help of an Education Specialist. Programs can be done both indoors and outdoors at the zoo, and may include biofacts, tours, and even live animal encounters! Come prepared for sensory overload! With a variety of programs available to students of all grade levels and abilities, the zoo can really be your Ultimate Teaching Tool. Our programs also help your classes to fulfill Tennessee State Standards and meet TCAP and Gateway Objectives!

Click here for a list of EDventure! topics and standards!

Availability
Programs are scheduled on a first-come, first-serve basis, and are subject to availability. Download an EDventure! or your School Group Reservation Form, send it in and you will be contacted to confirm your date and time.

Pricing
Indoor EDventures are only $1 per child and Outdoor EDventures are only $2 per child! Your EDventure fee will be paid separately from your front gate admission. Prices are subject to change without notice.

Registration
Click here for online registration form.

For more information call 865.637.5331 x331 or email us at cfifer@knoxville-zoo.org.

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Homeschool Tuesdays

Make the zoo an integral part of your homeschool curriculum! Programs happen weekly throughout both fall and spring, and are comprehensive to many branches of science, not just zoology. Programs can include hands-on activities, tours of the zoo, animal encounters, and LOTS OF FUN!

Click here for Program Schedule!

Program Times

Registration
Click here for online registration form.

Pricing

Click here to become a Zoo Member today!

For more information call 865.637.5331 x331 or email us at cfifer@knoxville-zoo.org.

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Bedtime with the Beasts

Where fun and learning come together!

Bedtime with the Beasts is an educational overnight adventure. Enjoy private tours, activities, and animal encounters. Bring your sleeping bag and spend the night at the zoo! Your adventure begins at 6:00pm and concludes the following morning at 9:30am! Feel free to spend the rest of the day exploring the zoo.

Availability

Bedtime with the Beasts is scheduled on a first-come, first-serve basis.

• Programs are available on Friday and Saturday nights between the months of March and November.
• Any organized group of 15-25 people, ages six and up, may attend.
• Smaller groups may be combined with other groups.
• Other nights may be available with advanced notice.
• If your group is larger than 25 people, it may be possible to reserve both facilities on the same night.

Bedtime with the Beasts is very popular. Some dates normally fill several months in advance. You will be contacted by the Education Department when your reservation is final.

There are two separate facilities available. Instructors sleep in the same area as the group. Groups and instructors sleep on a carpeted floor in a temperature-regulated building. Bathrooms are located in a separate building nearby. There are no showers. Participants must provide their own sleeping gear.

Registration
Click here for online registration form.

To register your group and reserve your date, calling 865.637.5331 x352. Your reservation is not final until your deposit has been received and it has been determined that your date is available.

Pricing

Bedtime with the Beasts is only $35 per person!

• The program price includes your zoo admission and parking for the following day.
• A $60 deposit is required to reserve your date.
• Full payment (minus the $60 deposit) is due two weeks prior to the date of your program.
• All fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
• Prices are subject to change without notice.

For more information call 865.637.5331 x352 or email us at rgorzeman@knoxville-zoo.org.

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Zoomobile Outreach Program

Your classroom can be a zoo!

Have a unique hands-on experience in your classroom. Using biofacts (animal artifacts), activities, and up-close animal encounters, students learn about habitats, adaptations, classification, food chains, predator-prey relationships and much more!

With a wide variety of programs available for preschool through 12th grade and unique resources, the Zoomobile programs can help you fulfill Tennessee state standards and meet T-Cap and Gateway objectives across the curriculum.

Click here for a list of program topics and standards!

Availability
Months: September through April
Days: Monday through Thursday
Times: 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. within 20 miles of the zoo. Include travel time if further away.

Registration
Fill out and return the Zoomobile Reservation Form, and you will be contacted to confirm your date and time. Try to schedule programs in one room and close together; with at least 10 minutes between programs. For gaps of 90 minutes or more between programs there is a charge of $50 per gap. Programs should be in a room with doors that close.

2006-07 Prices
Maximum 35 students per program and maximum of three programs per date and site.

Mileage is one-way from the zoo. Add $10 for each additional 10 miles. Prices subject to change without notice.

For more information call 865.637.5331 x371 or email us at mcgaffin@knoxville-zoo.org.

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Bird Show Outreach

Bring the world famous Bird Show into your classroom. Fulfill your curriculum needs with a fun and interesting close-up encounter with four live animals and the staff of the Knoxville Zoo Bird Show. Most animals will be birds, but other animals may be included.

Topics
Pre K: Bird Encounter
Get an up-close look at birds and learn about what makes a bird a bird. (20-30 minutes)

K-8: Feathers not Fur: How Birds Survive
Look at the basic anatomy of birds and talk about the many adaptations that birds have for survival. (45 minutes)

9-12: Bird Life: 101
Explore the anatomy of birds and discuss the classification of the Order Aves. Compare and contrast avian and mammalian adaptations for survival, and learn about conservation and the plight of our natural world. Teachers may request a brief talk on wildlife careers. (45 minutes)

Special topics are available with advance notice.

Availability
Months: September through February
Days: Tuesday through Thursday
Times: 9:30-2:30 p.m. within 20 miles of Knoxville Zoo. Include travel time if further away.

Registration
Contact the Knoxville Zoo Bird Show at 865.637.5331 x351 or email evan@knoxville-zoo.org. Try to schedule programs in one room and close together; with at least 10 minutes between programs. For gaps of 90 minutes or more between programs there is a charge of $50 per gap.

2006-07 Prices

Mileage is one-way from the zoo. Add $10 for each additional 10 miles. Prices subject to change without notice.

For more information call 865.637.5331 x351 or email us at evan@knoxville-zoo.org.

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Borrow a Zoobox

Let the Zoo enrich your classroom!

A Zoobox is filled with a variety of activities and materials for classroom and homeschool teachers, such as videos, slides, biofacts (fur, feathers, etc.), and other teaching aides. Grade ranges are suggestions, but most Zooboxes can be adapted for older or younger students.

Click here for a list of Zooboxes and their contents!

Availability
Zooboxes are available year round, and are limited to 2 weeks at a time. They can be picked up and dropped off at the zoo, by appointment only. All items in the Zoobox, including handouts, are a permanent part of the Zoobox and may not be kept. Most items cannot be replaced individually.

Pricing
Zooboxes are FREE with a $25 refundable deposit! Deposit checks will be shredded if the Zoobox is returned on time, complete and in good condition. Missing, damaged or late items will cause a forfeiture of the deposit. Prices are subject to change without notice.

For more information call 865.637.5331 x352 or email us at rgorzeman@knoxville-zoo.org.

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Teacher In-Service Opportunities

Walkabout Workshops are a great way to earn in-service hours...and so much fun!

Two or Three-Hour workshops are available to groups of 15-30 in the following areas:

• Walkabout Workshops
• Zoo Orientation for Educators

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