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Animal enrichment materials help keep animals healthy at the Zoo. Enrichment objects come in all shapes, sizes and smells and are designed to stimulate natural behaviors. In this program, educators (grades 3 – 12) learn more about the enrichment program at the Zoo and how their students can create their own animal enrichment ideas. Educators who participate in this program can enter their students in the Indianapolis Zoo Animal Enrichment Challenge. Students research and gather information, develop ideas, create a design, generate an enrichment prototype, test it and make revisions. This program aligns with Indiana Academic Standards and Next Generation Science Standards.
The Indianapolis Prize recognizes the world’s most successful animal conservationists. Conservation Hero Profiles were created to assist educators to connect students to the men and women who are saving wildlife and improving our planet for future generations. Written for a third- to fifth-grade audience, these profiles can be used as a reading assignment, an inspiration for writing or a launching point for further research.
Download Conservation Hero Profiles
Whether it’s trekking through the heart of a rainforest or diving into the depths of an ocean, these 3 to 7 minute videos allow students to see and hear about Indianapolis Prize Winners and Finalists and their inspiring work. These videos can be used to encourage deeper study in the areas of wildlife conservation and science.
These engaging and educational programs offer students the chance to delve deeper on their Zoo visits. With two investigation options available, kids can look at zoo exhibit design or immerse themselves in animal observations and ethograms. Both programs include activities before, during and after your Field Trip. Learn more about these topics:
Ethograms and Animal Behavior – Zoo keepers learn a lot from observing the animals they work with each day. Ethograms are used to record animal behavior. Learn how zoo keepers observe animals and complete your own ethogram.
Zoo Exhibit Design – At a zoo or aquarium, it is the job of a designer to help create the habitat for an animal. In order to build a habitat for an animal in a zoo setting a designer must understand the needs of the animal, keepers and guests. Learn more about the design process and create your own exhibit design.
Are you planning a visit to the zoo and want to help your students understand what their field trip may be like? We've created an online resource to help students and teachers explore the Zoo experience before their visit.
