Research and Discover
Workshops for Schools
Sign up for our grade-level workshops for preschool and school classes.
Our school workshops (max. 25 children) invite children to explore, discover, and gain new experiences on their own. Games and creative activities round out the program and ensure a variety of learning experiences. Please book your workshop at least two weeks in advance.
Prices (excluding admission):
2 hours: CHF 200.–
3 hours: CHF 250.– (Elephant paper CHF 350.–)
Workshops for Preschool
Elephants
“Who’s standing there on those thick legs?” That’s exactly who we’ll be taking a closer look at in this workshop: the Asian elephant. We’ll observe the second-largest land mammal on Earth, learn hands-on about its way of life, and discover how these gray giants are cared for and kept active in a species-appropriate manner at the zoo. We’ll also hear about the status of Asian elephants in their natural habitat.
Duration: 2 hours
Skills promoted in accordance with Curriculum 21:
NMG.2.2.b NMG.2.2.c NMG.2.3.b NMG.2.3.c NMG.2.3.e NMG.2.4.a NMG.2.4.d NMG.2.6.b NMG.4.1.b
ESD Education for Sustainable Development
Panthera: Big Cats, Little Crawlers
Who roars louder—the lion or the tiger? Why are these impressive big cats endangered? And what connects a snow leopard to an insect? In our interactive workshop, we’ll explore the new Panthera habitat and experience Amur tigers, Asian lions, snow leopards, and tiny crawling creatures in the Insect Forest from a whole new perspective. Together, we’ll explore exciting species conservation and research projects, as well as the zoo’s nature conservation efforts. Through captivating observations, thrilling experiments, and amazing sensory experiences, we’ll shed light on the mystery—and discover why cats’ eyes seem to glow.
Duration: 2 hours
Skills promoted in accordance with Curriculum 21:
ESD Education for Sustainable Development
Penguins
The emperor penguin nests on ice at –40° C, in the midst of a colony of several thousand birds. Life under such extreme conditions fascinates people of all ages. In this workshop, we’ll take a closer look at the lives of penguins, learn about different penguin species and their habitats, and observe our Humboldt and king penguins.
Duration: 2 hours
Skills promoted in accordance with Curriculum 21:
Workshops for Lower School Students
Elephants
“Who’s standing there on those thick legs?” That’s exactly who we’ll be taking a closer look at in this workshop: the Asian elephant. We’ll observe the second-largest land mammal on Earth, learn hands-on about its way of life, as well as how these gray giants are cared for and kept active in a species-appropriate manner at the zoo, and hear about the status of Asian elephants in their native habitat and what Zoo Zurich is doing to help.
Duration: 3 hours
Skills promoted in accordance with Curriculum 21:
NMG.2.2.b NMG.2.2.c NMG.2.3.b NMG.2.3.c NMG.2.3.e NMG.2.4.a NMG.2.4.d NMG.2.6.b NMG.4.1.b
ESD Education for Sustainable Development
Lewa
We’re setting off on an exciting safari to Kenya, the realm of large herd animals, to get to know the animals of the Lewa Savannah. We’ll observe, explore, and identify the animal species that roam among the baobab trees. The students will learn about the problem of poaching and the skills a ranger in the Lewa Savanna must possess. In addition to Kenya’s wildlife and Zoo Zurich’s commitment to the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, the workshop also provides insight into the diversity of Kenyan ways of life.
The workshop takes place only between Easter and the fall break
Duration: 3 hours
Skills fostered in accordance with Curriculum 21:
Panthera: Big Cats, Little Crawlers
Who roars louder—the lion or the tiger? Why are these impressive big cats endangered? And what connects a snow leopard to an insect? In our interactive workshop, we’ll explore the new Panthera habitat and experience Amur tigers, Asian lions, snow leopards, and tiny crawling creatures in the Insect Forest from a whole new perspective. Together, we’ll explore exciting species conservation and research projects, as well as the zoo’s nature conservation efforts. Through captivating observations, thrilling experiments, and amazing sensory experiences, we’ll shed light on the mystery—and discover why cats’ eyes seem to glow.
Duration: 3 hours
Skills promoted in accordance with Curriculum 21:
ESD Education for Sustainable Development
Workshops for Middle School Students
Elephants
Many people think they “know” elephants. But who really knows the difference between the largest and second-largest land mammals on Earth? In this workshop, we’ll observe Asian elephants, learn hands-on about their way of life, and discover how these gray giants are cared for and kept active in a species-appropriate manner at the zoo. We’ll also hear about the threats facing Asian elephants in their natural habitat and what Zoo Zurich is doing to address them.
And when the students finally find out whether they’ve learned about the largest or second-largest land mammal on Earth at the zoo—from nose to tail—a little surprise awaits them.
Duration: 3 hours
Skills promoted in accordance with Curriculum 21:
NMG.2.2.b NMG.2.2.c NMG.2.3.b NMG.2.3.c NMG.2.3.e NMG.2.4.a NMG.2.4.d NMG.2.6.b NMG.4.1.b
ESD Education for Sustainable Development
Elephant Paper
Between Easter and the fall break, the open-air paper mill is in operation at Zoo Zurich.
A large amount of elephant dung is produced every day, since an elephant consumes an average of 100 kilograms of plant material per day. These “secondhand” plant fibers are used in the workshop to make paper. The students learn about the threats facing Asian elephants in their natural habitat, observe how the animals are cared for and engaged in species-appropriate ways at the zoo, and learn about the various steps involved in papermaking. We also discuss how to handle the paper with care, and each student takes home a sheet of paper they made themselves.
The workshop is led by two facilitators, and two chaperones are required. It takes place only between Easter and fall break.
The Elephant Paper Workshop lasts 3 hours and costs 350 Swiss francs.
Skills promoted in accordance with Curriculum 21:
NMG.2.6. NMG.3.3.d NMG.3.4.c NMG.6.3.c NMG.6.3.d NMG.6.3.e NMG.11.3.d
ESD Education for Sustainable Development
Lewa
We’re setting off on an exciting safari to Kenya, the realm of large herd animals, to get to know the animals of the Lewa Savannah. We’ll observe, explore, and identify the animal species that roam among the baobab trees. The students will learn about the problem of poaching and the skills a ranger must have in the Lewa Savannah. In addition to Kenya’s wildlife and Zoo Zurich’s commitment to Kenya, the workshop also provides insight into the diversity of Kenyan ways of life.
The workshop takes place only between Easter and fall break.
Duration: 3 hours
Skills promoted in accordance with Curriculum 21:
Great Apes
Who are our closest relatives? In this “family-oriented” workshop, we’ll explore the world of great apes. Through their own observations, the children will discover the behavior of gorillas, orangutans, and other great apes. They’ll also learn why great apes are endangered and what they can do to help protect them.
Duration: 3 hours
Skills promoted in accordance with Curriculum 21:
NMG.2.2.g NMG.2.4.a NMG.2.4.c NMG.2.4.d NMG.2.4.e NMG.2.6.h NMG.4.1.d
ESD Education for Sustainable Development
People in the Rainforest
What makes a forest a rainforest? Why is Zoo Zurich involved in several rainforest conservation projects? In this workshop, we’ll journey into the Masoala Rainforest to find the answers to these questions. We’ll learn how people use the rainforest sustainably. We’ll discover why we all need to be involved in protecting the rainforest. Along the way, we’ll get to know the plants and animals of the Masoala Peninsula. As another highlight, we’ll prepare a traditional Malagasy snack, which we can enjoy together at the end of the workshop.
Duration: 3 hours
Skills promoted in accordance with Curriculum 21:
NMG.2.1.d NMG.2.2.e NMG.2.2.g NMG.2.2.h NMG.2.6.h NMG.6.3.e NMG.7.2 NMG.7.4 NMG.8.2.e
ESD Education for Sustainable Development
Panthera: Big Cats, Little Crawlers
Who roars louder—the lion or the tiger? Why are these impressive big cats endangered? And what do a snow leopard and an insect have in common? In our interactive workshop, we’ll explore the new Panthera exhibit and experience Amur tigers, Asian lions, snow leopards, and tiny crawling creatures in the Insect Forest from a whole new perspective. Together, we’ll explore exciting species conservation and research projects, as well as the zoo’s wildlife conservation efforts. Through captivating observations, thrilling experiments, and amazing sensory experiences, we’ll shed light on the mystery—and discover why a cat’s eyes seem to glow.
Duration: 3 hours
Skills promoted in accordance with Curriculum 21:
Reptiles
Which animals are classified as reptiles? What makes them unique, and what do they feel like? In this workshop, we’ll find answers to these questions. Students will use their various senses to explore the fascinating diversity of native and exotic reptiles and marvel at their life cycles and the richness of their colors and shapes.
Available for booking on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings
Duration: 3 hours
Skills promoted in accordance with Curriculum 21:
NMG.2.2.c NMG.2.2.e NMG.2.3.c NMG.2.4.d NMG.2.4.e NMG.2.4.f NMG.4.1.d
ESD Education for Sustainable Development
Chocolate Dreams in the Rainforest
Where does chocolate actually come from? What does a cacao tree look like, and how is “our” chocolate made from its fruit? In this workshop, we’ll venture into the Masoala Rainforest, learn how people live there and use the forest sustainably, and discover cacao trees and other tropical plants and animals. After an impressive exploration of the Masoala Rainforest and learning about the nature conservation project in Madagascar, we’ll explore the individual steps of chocolate production and make a chocolate praline using cocoa beans from Madagascar.
Duration: 3 hours
Skills promoted in accordance with Curriculum 21:
NMG.2.1.d NMG.2.2.g NMG.2.6.h NMG.6.3.d NMG.6.3.e NMG.6.5.h NMG.7.2 NMG.7.4 NMG.11.3.c NMG.11.3.d NMG.11.4.
ESD Education for Sustainable Development
Animal Husbandry
What do you need to feel comfortable at home and in your surroundings? In the “Animal Care” workshop, we’ll visit various animal species, identify their needs, and take a closer look at species-appropriate care. We’ll observe the methods used to bring variety into the daily lives of zoo animals. During the workshop, we’ll learn about species conservation programs and how they work. As a highlight, we’ll put what we’ve learned into practice by creating a challenge for a group of animals and seeing how they interact with it.
Duration: 3 hours
Skills promoted in accordance with Curriculum 21:
Workshops for High School Students
Elephant Paper
Between Easter and the fall break, the open-air paper mill is in operation at Zoo Zurich.
A large amount of elephant dung is produced every day, since an elephant consumes an average of 100 kilograms of plant material per day. These “secondhand” plant fibers are used in the Elephant Paper workshop to make paper. The students learn about the threats facing Asian elephants in their natural habitat, observe how the animals are kept in a species-appropriate manner and engaged at the zoo, learn about the various steps involved in papermaking, discuss how to handle the paper with care, and take home a sheet of paper they made themselves.
The workshop is led by two facilitators, and two chaperones are required. It takes place only between Easter and fall break.
The Elephant Paper Workshop lasts 3 hours and costs 350 Swiss francs.
Skills promoted in accordance with Curriculum 21:
Lewa
We’re heading to Kenya, the realm of large herd animals. In the Lewa Savanna, we’ll observe and identify the various animal species. In doing so, we’ll discover and describe their similarities and try to determine their evolutionary relationships. This will allow us to explore the family tree of these animals. The students learn about the problem of poaching and the skills a ranger in the Lewa Savanna must possess. We’ll learn about the measures Zoo Zurich is taking in collaboration with the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya to combat poaching, as well as the steps each of us can take to preserve, protect, and promote this endangered biodiversity.
This workshop is held only between Easter and fall break.
Duration: 3 hours
Skills promoted in accordance with Curriculum 21:
ESD Education for Sustainable Development
Great Apes
Who are our closest relatives? In this workshop, we’ll explore the world of great apes. Through their own observations, the teens will discover the behavior of gorillas, orangutans, and other great apes. They’ll also learn why great apes are endangered and what they can do to help protect them.
Duration: 3 hours
Skills promoted in accordance with Curriculum 21:
Panthera: Big Cats, Little Crawlers
Who roars louder—the lion or the tiger? Why are these impressive big cats endangered? And what connects a snow leopard to an insect? In our interactive workshop, we’ll explore the new Panthera habitat and experience Amur tigers, Asian lions, snow leopards, and tiny crawling creatures in the Insect Forest from a whole new perspective. Together, we’ll explore exciting species conservation and research projects, as well as the zoo’s wildlife conservation efforts. Through captivating observations, thrilling experiments, and amazing sensory experiences, we’ll shed light on the mystery—and discover why cats’ eyes seem to glow.
Duration: 3 hours
Skills promoted in accordance with Curriculum 21:
Chocolate Dreams in the Rainforest
Where does our chocolate come from? What does a cacao tree look like, and how is sweet chocolate made from its fruit? In this workshop, we’ll journey into the Masoala Rainforest, learn how people live there and use the forest sustainably, and discover cacao plants along with other tropical plants and animals. After an impressive exploration of the Masoala Rainforest and learning about the conservation project in Madagascar, we’ll learn the individual steps of chocolate production and make a chocolate praline using cocoa beans from Madagascar.
Duration: 3 hours
Competencies in Curriculum 21:
Animal Husbandry
In the “Animal Care” workshop, we’ll visit various animal species in their enclosures, identify their needs, and take a close look at how they’re cared for. We observe the methods used to bring variety into the daily lives of zoo animals. During the workshop, we learn about species conservation programs and how they work. As a highlight, we put what we’ve learned into practice by creating a challenge for a group of animals and observing how they engage with it.
Duration: 3 hours
Skills promoted in accordance with Curriculum 21:
Do You Have Any Questions?
Contact our Experiences team
We are happy to assist you!
044 254 28 14 (Mo bis Fr, 9 bis 12/14 bis 16:30 Uhr)
erlebnis@zoo.ch
Book a Workshop
To ensure an efficient booking process, please provide us with several preferred dates. We will do our best to accommodate your highest-priority date. We will send you definitive confirmation as soon as possible. A confirmed booking is final and binding.
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- Species Conservation
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