Zoomobile Program Topics
Sixth through Eighth Grade
Classroom Programs (45 minutes)
Programs for one classroom (up to 35 students) per program
Special topics also available with at least two-months notice. Let us know what you would like
us to teach and we’ll see if we have the resources to teach it.
Global Climate Change and Animal Survival – Discover the effect Global Climate Change is
having on habitats and the animals that live in these habitats.
Key Concepts
 Discuss climate, the things that effect climate and the effect we have on climate
 Learn about adaptations animals have for their habitats.
 Learn about the problems habitats are having due to climate change.
 Discuss what we can do about it and what to expect in the future.
Keywords: Global Climate Change, Habitat, climate, adaptations, abiotic, conservation.
Core: GLE 0607.2.4(Adaptations); 0607.2.3(abiotic, biotic); 0607.8.3(Ocean currents);
0707.7.6 (Human affect); 0807.5.3 (Adaptations)
Birds of Prey- Birds of prey are a very special group of birds that eat meat. In this class we will
discuss what makes a bird of prey a bird of prey. Note: the live birds are not touchable, but the
bird biofacts are. Limited Availability
Key Concepts
 Birds of prey live in a variety of environments.
 They have special beaks and talons for hunting their food
 They have special feathers and eyes and so much more to help them hunt.
 Discuss some of the things about the kind of prey they eat and why.
 Discuss the problems Birds of prey face.
Keywords: Conservation, nocturnal, diurnal, corpuscular, tempedum, talons, carnivore,
adaptation, predator, prey
Core: GLE 0607.2.4(Adaptations); 0707.7.6 (Human affect); 0807.5.3 (Adaptations)
Endangered Species- Many Animals are struggling to survive. In this class students will hear
about the different stages from threatened to extinct, why it is happening, and what can we do
about it.
Key Concepts
 Learn about the stage threatened, endangered, critically endangered, extinct in the wild,
and extinct.
 Learn some of the causes of extinction (poaching, deforestation, disease, invasive
species, etc)
 Learn a few ways we can make a difference
Keywords: Threatened, endangered, extinct, invasive species, deforestation, poaching, predator,
prey, habitat, reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Core: GLE 0607.2.4(Adaptations); 0707.7.6(Human affect); 0807.5.3 (Adaptations);
0807.5.4(genetic Varation); 0807.5.5 (Biodiversity)
Habitats: Biomes to Niches Examine habitats from a global to local scale, differentiating
between habitats, biomes, ecosystems and niches.
Key Concepts
 Habitats are any place where living things can survive.
 Biomes are types of habitats.
 Biomes are affected by biotic and abiotic factors
 Ecosystems are any area where the living things are able to interact with each other.
 All habitats provide the four basic needs (food, water, protection, air) for animals.
 Food chains transfer energy and recycle the nutrients in an ecosystem while the sun
provides energy.
 A food web is more descriptive of what is actually happening.
 Each animal in an ecosystem has a role or niche.
 Animals must have adaptations to fill their niche.
 We need the natural resources from habitats to survive, too. How we use them affects
habitats, and our ability to survive.
Key Words: habitat, biome, ecosystem, niche, producer, primary consumer, secondary consumer,
decomposer, food chain, food web, adaptation, energy
Core: GLE 0607.2.1(consumers, etc.); 0607.2.2 (Food chain); 0607.2.3(abiotic, biotic);
0607.2.4(Adaptations); 0707.7.6(Human affect); 0807.5.3 (Adaptations);
0807.5.5(Biodiversity)
Biodiversity and Biogeography Explore the meaning of biogeography and biodiversity, how
geography can affect biodiversity, and how we can affect both.
Key Concepts
 Biogeography is the study of the distribution of living things.
 Animals live in different places because:
o their biomes are found in different places
o their adaptations may only allow them to live in certain biomes
o geography may prevent them from expanding their range
o the size and location of an ecosystem may limit what living things can survive there.
 Geography can affect biodiversity by limiting expansion and natural resources.
 Biodiversity is the number of different living things in an area.
 Biodiversity is important for long-term ecosystem survival.
 The use of natural resources by humans affects biogeography, which can decrease
biodiversity.
 Humans are dependent on biodiversity for survival.
 Conservation can prevent biodiversity loss, improving our ability to survive.
Key Words: biodiversity, biogeography, adaptations, biomes, ecosystems, natural resources.
Core: GLE 0607.2.4(Adaptations); 0707.7.6(Human affect); 0807.5.3 (Adaptations);
0807.5.4(Genetic Variation); 0807.5.5(Biodiversity)
Adaptations and Symbiotic Relationships Discover the variety of adaptations animals use for
survival, including symbiotic relationships such as parasitism, mutualism and commensalism.
Key Concepts
 An adaptation is something that helps animals survive and is necessary to fill their niche
in the ecosystem.
 Adaptations help an animal protect itself from predators, protect itself from the weather,
reproduce, or get food, water, or air.
 Adaptations develop over many generations.
 The types of adaptations an animal has will depend on where it lives, what it eats, and
what eats it.
 Structural and behavioral adaptations.
 Symbiotic relationships can be a form of adaptation.
 There are several types of relationships based on how the animals affect each other.
Parasitism, mutualism, commensalism, and competition are all types of relationships.
 Our relationship with other animals can vary.
Keywords: adaptation, symbiosis, predator, prey, parasitism, mutualism, commensalism,
competition, structural adaptation, behavioral adaptation
Core: GLE 0607.2.1(Consumer, etc); 0607.2.3(abiotic, biotic)0607.2.4 (Adaptations); 0807.5.3
(Behavioral Adaptations)
Suitcase For Survival - Investigate the illegal wildlife trade, how it affects endangered species,
how you may be involved, careers in wildlife conservation and how we can help stop the illegal
wildlife trade.
Key Concepts
 Many animals face multiple threats to their survival.
 People depend on wildlife to survive.
 Not all wildlife trade is illegal, but some are illegal to hunt, capture or sell because they
are endangered.
 Definition of threatened, endangered, and extinct.
 Animals are harvested for many reasons, including for food, medicine, souvenirs/jewelry,
clothing, private collections and pets.
 While people have harvested animals for millennia, it is a problem now because of the
large volume of animals harvested.
 Most people who buy illegal products do not realize that they are involved with the
illegal wildlife trade.
 You can help wildlife by being careful about what you buy and teaching others.
Keywords: threatened, endangered, extinct, population, trade, wildlife, habitat loss, pollution,
climate change, poaching.
Core: GLE 0707.7.6(Human affect)
What Do You Zoo? - Examine the role of zoos in wildlife conservation, wildlife and zoo
careers, and what you can do to help.
Key Concepts
 Zoos exist for many reasons, mainly for conservation of wildlife.

Strategies for conservation include captive breeding of endangered species, behavioral
and reproductive research, wildlife rehabilitation, and educating the public.
 Zoo’s cooperate with each other for greater success, through programs such as Species
Survival Plans.
 You can help zoos conserve wildlife through volunteering, a wildlife career, or simply
conserving resources.
Keywords: conservation, endangered, threatened, extinct, captive breeding, research, species
survival plan, wildlife, career.
Core: GLE 0707.7.6(Human affect)
Animal Classification – Explore three groups of animals while learning how scientists classify
living things, how classification is used to understand living things, and how it is used to identify
living things.
Key Concepts

Living things are divided into groups based on morphology and phylogeny

Scientists use hierarchies to show relationships between groups.

There are seven main levels in the hierarchical system of classification: Kingdom,
Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.

Animals in the same group share similar traits.

Animals within groups are more closely related.

Scientists use keys to identify living things based on characteristics.
Keywords: phylogeny, morphology, hierarchy, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus,
species, dichotomous key, binomial nomenclature, Structural and Behavioral Adaptations
Core: GLE 0807.5.1(Classification); 0807.5.2(Classification key); 0807.5.3 (Adaptations)
Animal Art and Photography - Live animal models can bring your art or photography class to
life. Each model’s adaptations and habitat will be described briefly while the model poses. The
program may include free-flight demonstrations with birds, upon request, but must be in a room
with doors that close. Note: the live birds are not touchable and have limited availability
Option 1: One model at a time will be presented for approximately 10-15 minutes each.
Option 2: Multiple models (birds only) can be presented at the same time for longer
periods.