Woodland Park Zoo offers teachers packets on a variety of subjects. Each packet contains background information, fact sheets, activity ideas and resource information. Activities included in teacher packets help you meet the Washington State Environmental Education Mandate and Essential Academic Learning Requirements. Most activities are designed for use with students in grades K-12 and all are easily adapted to suit your needs. All packets include a one-day admission pass to give you a free opportunity to visit the zoo and to help plan class activities. The packets can be used to help you design a curriculum for use at the zoo or in your classrooms.

All teacher packets are $10.00 each plus tax and are available at the ZooStore or by calling (206) 548-2500 ext. 1561.  Prices do not include postage.

• African Savanna: The central theme of this packet is the balance of nature. You and your students will examine the relationships between plants, animals and people of the east African savanna. This packet includes information about ecotourism and how people can minimize their impact on this fragile and fascinating part of the world.

• Amazing Arthropods: The group of animals classified as arthropods is the largest, most diverse group of animals in the world. It includes insects, spiders and lobsters. This packet will help you and your students explore these fascinating and vitally important animals.
  
  
• Apes: This packet, designed for grades 6-9, focuses on apes and helps students to make connections between the physical, behavioral and environmental characteristics of apes. The packet also explores the urgent issue of ape conservation. Using an interdisciplinary approach, activities are woven throughout the packet, providing students with opportunities to build an understanding of apes’ adaptations and strategies for survival.

• Endangered Species: This packet is designed for grades 5-12, but includes background information and a few activities useful for grades K-4. You will find current information regarding endangered species in our state and country, and throughout the world.

• Northern Trail: Life in the far north is hard. The ground is permanently frozen, the sun never shines during part of the winter, and never sets during part of the summer. How do animals and plants adapt to this environment? This packet will help you share the mysteries of Alaska with your students.

• Raptors: Birds of prey are magnificent animals that can be readily seen in both urban and rural areas. Since they are top predators, raptors provide an excellent avenue for studying a wide variety of biological concepts, such as predator-prey relationships, adaptations and the effects of human influence.

• Reptiles & Amphibians: Cold-blooded animals have developed unique physical characteristics and life cycles for survival in a variety of habitats. This packet explores the human-posed threats faced by reptile and amphibian populations throughout the world. Specific examples are provided about species in Washington state that are threatened or endangered.

• Tropical Asia: Plants, animals and people of tropical Asian forests are inextricably linked. This packet looks at interconnections that make life in the tropical rain forests of Asia possible. This packet helps students to learn about biodiversity and interdependence.

• Tropical Rain Forest: This packet presents information on the forests of the world, with an emphasis on tropical rain forests. Activities and information focus on the different layers of the forest, and the species of plants and animals that are uniquely adapted to each layer.  Also provided are ideas on how you and your students can help conserve forests.

• Washington Wildlife: Washington state contains some of the most diverse ecosystems in the nation. This packet takes a detailed look, through background information, activities and resources, at five different habitat regions: the steppe, montane, temperate forest, wetland and urban areas.

• Zoo/Wildlife Careers: Did you know that the zoo employs more than 250 people in careers from accounting to zookeeping? This packet helps teachers of all grades guide their students in explorations of zoo and other wildlife careers.