Philadelphia Zoo Launches New Interactive Online Learning Program Philly Zoo to You

Philadelphia Zoo, the region's largest living classroom, is happy to announce the launch of Philly Zoo to You, an interactive online learning program featuring a direct line to Zoo experts to answer science questions creating a deeper connection to wildlife discovery. With so many parents and students at home working together to complete online learning activities, Philly Zoo to You provides a mixture of expert support and curriculum-based activities aimed at students from grades K through 4.  Students and parents should visit www.philadelphiazoo.org/learn for enhanced learning opportunities. For more, visit the Philly Zoo to You homepage at:  https://philadelphiazoo.org/learn/  

 “The mission of the Zoo is to connect people with wildlife”, says Kristen Waldron, Philadelphia Zoo’s Director of Strategic Initiatives. “When we learned that the Zoo would be temporarily closed to the public we felt it was important to create a new way for our audiences to continue to stay connected with our amazing animals and staff. What sets Philly Zoo to You apart is the combination of the personal exchange with our incredibly passionate staff and volunteers with the joyful discovery we can provide for children and their families. We have a team of experts, most of which are long-time docents of the Zoo who typically this time of year, spend thousands of hours onsite educating and inspiring our audiences. They are former biology, chemistry, social studies and science teachers, principals of schools and above all avid Zoo experts. They are well-informed and thrilled to provide this truly personalized service for students and parents alike.”

Philly Zoo to You provides:

* A mix of science-related resources including animal-themed worksheets, DIY activities and coloring pages that provide loads of fun and learning while highlighting key academic connections to wildlife, habitats and the environment.

* Videos featuring an insider’s look at the Zoo plus virtual interactions with our amazing animals and the dedicated staff who care for them.

* Science@PhillyZoo enables visitors to connect directly with more than 50 Zoo experts who are on hand and prepared to answer any and all science, wildlife and conservation questions in a timely manner.

Highlights on the Zoo Experts facilitating Science@PhillyZoo personalized program:

* In addition to more than 220 years of school teaching experience, the expertise of staff and docents facilitating this program ranges from Master’s degrees in Education and Ecology to backgrounds in animal science, animal biotechnology, zoo science, and wildlife conservation.

* Facilitators have a detailed understanding of the science curriculum standards and are prepared to answer questions on animal adaptations, classification, life cycles, habitats, ecosystems, climate change, extinction and more.

* Nearly half of the Zoo experts have been at the Zoo for more than 10 years and are extremely knowledge about the animals.

Philadelphia Zoo is a consistent resource for teachers and students, with more than 130,000 school children entering through its historic gates annually. With the Zoo currently closed to the public because of restrictions around Covid 19, Philly Zoo to You is the best way to continue its dedication to connecting its many audiences with the wonders of wildlife.

For more information on, visit,  www.PhiladelphiaZoo.org. Stay connected through Facebook: PhiladelphiaZoo; Instagram: @philadelphiazoo; Twitter: @phillyzoo.

ABOUT PHILADELPHIA ZOO:

Animals are on the move like never before at Philadelphia Zoo with Zoo360, a first-in-the-world system of see-through trails passing through treetops, crossing over pathways and connecting habitats, giving animals like amazing big cats, majestic primates and marvelous meerkats the opportunities to travel and explore. Visit our baby sloth bear cub, young western lowland gorillas, giraffes, hippos, white rhino, zebras, red pandas, Amur tigers and more at America’s first Zoo. Explore our 42-acre Victorian garden and enjoy award-winning exhibits like Big Cat Falls, PECO Primate Reserve, McNeil Avian Center and KidZooU, a wildlife academy that offers dynamic displays, rare breeds and hands-on experiences.  Philadelphia Zoo is the second highest ticketed attraction in Philadelphia, one of the region's foremost conservation organizations and home to nearly 1,300 animals, many rare and endangered. By connecting people with wildlife, Philadelphia Zoo creates joyful discovery and inspires action for animals and habitats. The Zoo welcomed more than 1.25 million visitors last year. Philadelphia Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Philadelphia Zoo is a non-smoking facility.