Wednesday, 21 August, 2024 - 14:00
School excursions, camps and incursions that involve animals have always been a crowd favourite.
But the benefits of a visit to the zoo, animal farm or wildlife park can extend far beyond the ‘fun’ factor.
A well designed activity or excursion not only links a great day out to curriculum learning, but can help foster in students a lifelong connection to, and care for, the natural world.
The benefits of zoo and wildlife-based excursions, activities and incursions are multi-faceted. For younger students, they can:
Encourage real-time, hands-on learning
Young children read about furry wombats, curious goats, sly crocodiles and soft koalas, but seeing and observing them in real life can be far more impactful. Young students can learn through the sensory and immersive experience of a zoo visit, animal farm or wildlife park by seeing animals, smelling their habitat, hearing the sounds they make and (sometimes) even touching them.
Reinforce and strengthen numeracy and literacy skills
A trip to the zoo or wildlife park can link to the curriculum in so many fun and creative ways. Try counting the number of marmoset monkeys, meerkats and marsupials you see, and phonetically spelling them out. When you get back to the classroom, write stories and poems about the giraffes and lions; draw and then count the animals you liked best or create a ‘show and tell’ with picture cards.
Help students learn about empathy and responsibility
An animal-based excursion, camp or incursion can help young students better understand how to care for animals, and the environment they need to thrive. This, in turn, helps foster a sense of compassion and stewardship that extends beyond the classroom.
For older students, wildlife excursions and incursions can help:
Foster critical thinking
Learning about endangered species and habitat destruction in the classroom is one thing. Learning from a passionate wildlife expert in a real-life, hands-on setting is another – and can ignite real interest in older students. Use the experience to springboard to higher-order thinking skills by engaging in debates, writing journal entries and essays and developing ideas for conservation projects.
Align learnings to the curriculum
Geography on the map? A trip to the zoo can help students learn about the different habitats of animals and the impact of human activity on the environment. Time for science? A wildlife excursion offers a chance to study ecosystems, animal biology and conservation efforts. Real-world experiences can make abstract concepts more concrete and understandable for older students.
Develop research skills
A visit to the zoo or wildlife park is a great way to enhance and develop research skills in a fun and interactive way. For example, students can use practical activities such as observation, data collection and interviews with zoo keepers to help hone their research skills. Back in the classroom, students can expand their learning experience by formulating research questions, graphing their findings, analysing the data they collected and comparing their findings with the scientific literature. Finally, students can present their findings through reports, journals and presentations.
No zoos near you? Think outside the square
Don’t have a zoo or wildlife park near your school? No problem. Let the animals can come to you! Explore the growing number of providers that offer wildlife-focussed incursions or farm animal visits. Often, the incursions can be tailored to the specific needs of your students and the curriculum – providing hands-on experiences within the school grounds.
Take home message
Take advantage of one of the many zoo and wildlife excursions, camps, activities and incursions on offer. Not only do they provide unique, hands-on learning experiences that enhance curriculum content, but they help students develop critical thinking skills, and foster a connection to the natural world.
Below are some of our favourite animal / wildlife based excursions / incursions
NSW
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
QLD
NT
TAS
VIC
Still looking? Seach for Wildlife School Excursions in your area.