Minnesota Zoo Field Trip Getting excited? Here’s what to expect. Our mission: To connect people, animals, and the natural world to save wildlife.
What we can do at the Zoo? Visit animals on the trails . Home to more than 4,700 animals in award-winning exhibits, you’ll tour along the Tropics Trail, Minnesota Trail, Northern Trail, Russia’s Grizzly Coast, Discovery Bay (oceans) and the Family Farm. Observe the animals natural behaviors in their realistic looking habitats. See the animal shows and encounters. Bird Show, Dive Show, Monk Seal Demonstrations and daily animal encounter talks. Smart Fun! Become smarter by engaging in activities your teacher has provided for you.
What to bring for tomorrow. Comfy clothing and walking shoes. Layers so you can carry your jacket. The tropics building is 75 degrees and it could be cold when you go outside. Lunch. Write your name clearly and pack foods that doesn’t need to be cold. Re-useable lunch bags help save wildlife. Bring a pencil to do your student assignment. If needed, small drawstring bag or purse (no large backpacks are needed) Money. If your teacher says you can bring money for a small treat or item at the gift shop. Cell phone or camera. You are responsible for these items and their proper use.
Expectations Stay with leaders and other students in your group at all times. Be mindful that we are at the animal homes. Watch the noise level, no tapping on the enclosures and keep your items on you at all times. Be considerate of Zoo property; follow signs and instructions given by Zoo staff. Be respectful to all people who are also visiting the Zoo. Complete assignments and return to teacher at bus check in. Use cameras and cell phones appropriately. Follow rules as if you were at school. Represent our school at your best.
At school the day of our field trip Bring only items needed for the trip. Sit at desks for morning announcements. Greet chaperones. Help pack lunches in bags or boxes. Get into groups with your chaperones. Hand out student and(or) chaperone packets. Last minute instructions, plan where to meet in the Zoo at the end of the field trip. We will take attendance of students and chaperones before we depart. Use restrooms now if needed. Load buses, give any last minute instructions to our bus driver .
Unload bus, check for any left items. Thank our bus drivers. Gather with your group and enter the Zoo when ready. Chaperones will receive Zoo maps and daily schedules. Be ready to start your visit. Arrival at the Zoo
After entering the Zoo drop lunches off for storage You will be directed to the lunch storage areas. Jackets can be left during the winter months. Two eating areas are available at the Upper Tropics and in Discovery Bay, here you will find shelves, bins, and see the lunch tables. Check the schedule for your groups eating time.
Ready to explore? . Start with the map. Choose a trail or follow the schedule from your teacher.
To make your visit more enjoyable - Remember to take your time viewing the animals, you might not have time to see everything, enjoy the trails you choose . Remember animals will be moving, eating or could be sleeping. Stop and watch at each exhibit for awhile, you will be surprised by what you see if you stay awhile. Remember the signs at the Zoo will give you a lot of information about the animals you are seeing. Take time to read them as you walk the pathways. Remember the volunteers and staff like to answer student questions. Volunteer will be along each trail with artifacts.
Along the Trail you will experience a variety of Minnesota landscapes, ranging from views into a beaver pond, a walk alongside a northern forest glade and a bird-watching perch in the treetops. This Trails features animals from Minnesota including raccoons, gray wolves along with smaller favorites, like turtles, frogs, all starting at a warm stone fireplace in a welcoming lodge . Here’s a glimpse of some animals you will see…. Medtronic Minnesota Trail
Beaver
Puma
Venture into the world of the rain forest where lush, green foliage and beautiful orchids envelop guests along a winding path. The beauty of unique wildlife first attract you, but the Tropics Trail also showcases several of the world’s biodiversity “hotspots”— areas especially rich in species found nowhere else that are also at extreme risk of destruction. Tropics Trail
Binturong
Greater Hornbill
Minnesota is renowned for its long, cold winters – perfect for the residents of our Northern Trail. Majestic Amur tigers frolic in the snow or in their moat, depending on the weather. Woodland caribou and the stately moose display their ingenious adaptations for survival. A walk along the 3/4-mile trail provides the opportunity to enjoy the animals during all seasons. Also visit the Penguins and Snow Monkeys in the South Entry Northern Trail
Caribou
Tiger
Journey to one of the last true wilderness areas of the world; a vast place where the silence is broken only by the playful call of sea otters, where massive bears roam among steaming geysers and bubbling mud- pots, a land of stunning scenery including a rocky coastline, erupting volcanoes, and dense forests. Russia’s Grizzly Coast
Sea Otter
Grizzly Bears
Witness the spectacular beauty of the deep in Discovery Bay: United Healthcare Marine Education Center. Over 1.1 million gallons of water provide a home for sharks, rays and other marine life. Five highly endangered Hawaiian Monk Seals now reside in Discovery Bay, come and say ‘aloha’. Guests can also touch sharks, sea stars, and sea anemones in an interactive estuary and tide pool. Discovery Bay
Hawaiian Monk Seals
Sea Turtles
The Wells Fargo Family Farm engages visitors with animals and nature by encouraging and educating visitors to become part of a community of people, plants and animals striving to maintain balance with nature. Come to learn about how food gets from farms to tables and see some interesting animals along the way. Farm is open end of March – November. Wells Fargo Family Farm
American Cream Draft Horse
Wings Financial World of Bird Show (check web site for dates and times) Tropical Reef Fish feeding - Tropics Trail. Talk with the Zoo volunteer at their booths and at bench talks around the Zoo. Watch for special animal encounters through out the day. Daily Penguin Feeding. Hawaiian Monk Seal conservation talk. Special Presentations and Talks
Tropical Reef Dive Show
Here’s our favorite step -by- step guide as designed by a 5 th grade student.
And don’t forget to snap a few photos.
Wow, the day has gone quickly. Time to head back to school. Meet at our preselected meeting location. Load buses where we were dropped off. Have a safe trip back to school. Thank your chaperones for coming with today. Thank your bus driver when you leave the bus.
Go to your classroom until the dismissal bell. If time we will--- Talk about our field trip. Write thank you notes to our chaperones. Work on artwork of our trip. Back at school
What can you do to help the animals and the environment we share? Get outside, be active and explore the outdoors each and every day. Recycle when you can at school and at home. Carefully pick up trash when they see it and put it in a garbage can. Learn more about the worlds animals and plants. Participate in a conservation program at our school or in your community. Ride your bike or walk instead of drive. Ideas?
Have a great field trip day at the Minnesota Zoo! Thank you for your support and help in supporting the Minnesota Zoo’s mission to connect people, animals and the natural world to save wildlife.
Thank you to the staff at Maple Grove Middle School for assistance in this student information .
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