Alaska Eco EDventures for Homeschool Students

We will update this page over the summer with offerings for the 2026/2027 school year!

This program is geared towards homeschool students who are seeking to experience the culture, beauty, and ecology of Alaska’s great outdoors! Students will experience the unique natural and cultural heritage of Alaska through engaging cross-disciplinary lessons that combine arts, culture, and outdoor exploration. Each EDventure will begin with a wildlife-themed lesson chosen by zoo educators as the month’s highlight.

The program includes zoo trail explorations, outdoor scavenger hunts, animal encounters, science discoveries, and hands-on projects.

While the students are in class, the rest of the family is welcome to tour the zoo! Neither parents nor younger siblings can sit in on classes. While students are in the program, one parent and one child (sibling) will receive free admission into the zoo to enjoy their own self-guided visit. Please see zoo educators for your pass when you check your student in for the program.

Program Details

$40 per student for non-members. Zoo members can log into their membership account, then register for the program for a $10 discount per student as long as the student is covered by your membership! You must be logged into the system and have a current zoo membership. If so, the discount will be automatically applied at checkout. Register your student online (full payment at the time of registration) at least 1 week in advance. An email notice will be sent to you which will serve as a receipt if you are submitting for reimbursement.

Payment and Refund Policy: Full payment is due online at the time of registration. Please be sure you have your schedule and plans committed before you register. If you need to cancel your registration and you contact us one week or more in advance of the program, you will be eligible for a 50% refund. If you contact us one week or less in advance of the program, no refund will be given. We will not be making exceptions to this policy for any reason due to the staff time required to prepare for the program and the loss of opportunity to fill the spot.

  • Duration is 2.5 hours (10:00am-12:30 pm). Parents meet up with zoo educators in the Gateway classroom for check-in. One parent and one child (sibling) receive free zoo admission during the program at check-in. Parents and siblings are not allowed to sit in on the class to reduce background distractions for students.

  • Max 15 students per class. Each student must be registered separately.

Grade Levels and Program Schedule

Please sign your student up for one date/time per theme, the material covered will be the same for both time slots.

Elementary - 25/26 Year Shown, 26/27 Coming Over Summer!

K-2nd (Tuesdays and Wednesdays).

  • September 16th and 17th – Birding Basics

  • October 7th and 8th – Alaska's Bears

  • October 21st and 22nd – Bizarre Bones

  • November 4th and 5th – Diet Detectives

  • December 9th and 10th – Creature Classification

  • January 6th and 7th – Zoo Clues

  • January 20th and 21st – Clever Camouflage

  • February 3rd and 4th – Animal Families

  • February 17th and 18th – Dynamic Duos

  • March 17th and 18th – Ecosystem Engineers

  • April 7th and 8th – Nature in Your Neighborhood

3rd-5th (Tuesdays and Wednesdays).

  • September 23rd and 24th – Birding Basics

  • October 14th and 15th – Alaska's Bears

  • October 28th and 29th – Bizarre Bones

  • November 18th and 19th – Diet Detectives

  • December 16th and 17th – Creature Classification

  • January 13th and 14th – Zoo Clues

  • January 27th and 28th – Clever Camouflage

  • February 10th and 11th – Animal Families

  • February 24th and 25th – Dynamic Duos

  • March 24th and 25th – Ecosystem Engineers

  • April 14th and 15th – Nature in Your Neighborhood

Elementary Level Descriptions:

  • Birding Basics – Students will learn about birds, then take their birding skills outside to observe and identify local birds.  

  • Alaska's Bears – How many types of bears are in Alaska? How are they the same? How are they different? Meet the Alaska Zoo’s bear residents and explore bear biology. 

  • Bizarre Bones – Explore animal bones and learn spooky skeleton facts! Students learn basic skeletal anatomy and dissect owl pellets. 

  • Diet Detectives – Learn what different animals eat and get a peek at how the zoo feeds its animal residents. 

  • Creature Classification – Scientists have come up with ways to sort animals into categories. Explore the different animal groups.

  • Zoo Clues – We don’t always get to see animals, but we can look for clues! Learn to identify animals from tracks, scat and other signs.  

  • Clever Camouflage – Some animals are built to stand out and others blend in. Explorecreature camouflage and how wild animals survive. 

  • Animal Families – Learn about animal families and how they might be similar to or different than our own human families. 

  • Dynamic Duos – Discover interspecies friendships and why some animals like to team up with others.  

  • Ecosystem Engineers – Discover nature’s engineers and how one species can alter an ecosystem. 

  • Nature in Your Neighborhood – Learn about the animals that inhabit our urban spaces and how to stay safe outside. 

Middle School

6th-8th (Mondays). Scroll down for middle school level descriptions.

September 22: Birding Basics - October 6: Skull Sleuths - October 27: Grossology - November 17: Falconry 101 - December 12: Masters of Migration - January 12: Animal Anatomy - January 26: Dissection Lab, February 9: Animal Training - February 23: Habitat Design - March 23: Citizen Science - April 13: Rescue and Rehabilitation

Middle School Level Descriptions:

  • Birding Basics – Students learn about birds, then go outside to observe and identify local birds using binoculars and field guides.  

  • Skull Sleuths – Learn how to identify animals based off clues from their skulls! 

  • Grossology: Parasites and Pathogens – Discover the creepy and crazy world of Microbiology and animal parasites or pathogens.

  • Falconry 101 – Students explore the history of falconry, learn about modern falconry practices and learn about raptors.

  • Masters of Migration – Students explore animal migrators, why they migrate, and how they prepare for the long journey.  

  • Animal Anatomy – Students study animal anatomy, including organ systems and their functions. This class is a great introduction to anatomy before Dissection Lab! 

  • Dissection Lab – Students work in groups to dissect an organism, learn safe lab practices, labeling of organs and microscope use.

  • Animal Training – How do zookeepers provide animals with top-notch care? With animal training! Discover techniques and practices.

  • Habitat Design – Students learn the basics of zoo habitat design and will pick an animal to design their own habitat for. 

  • Citizen Science – You don’t have to be an adult scientist to make a difference! Learn how to contribute to local conservation and research.

  • Rescue and Rehabilitation – The Alaska Zoo cares for orphaned and injured wildlife. Learn the basics of animal husbandry and see our animal care facilities. 

Thank you for your interest!

We will have 2026/2027 listings online over the summer. Contact programs@alaskazoo.org if you have questions in the meantime.