Inclusive Learning
Melbourne Zoo’s flexible Inclusive Learning program offers a unique experience for students to engage with animals and learn about their care.
Program description
This flexible and real-life learning experience offers a unique experience for students to engage with animals and learn about their care. The program addresses the needs of students through adaptive teacher-led activities, student-led exploration and information that is presented both orally and visually.
Students will learn:
- Animal body features
- Animal needs
- How to care for animals
This program supports students with:
- Disabilities – Physical, Learning, Visual, Auditory
- Additional Learning Needs – Autism Spectrum, Emotional and Behavioural Disorders
- English as an Additional Language – refugees, recently arrived migrants, adult learners
Program sequence
Connect and Understand
Use the activities in the teaching guide (below) to spark your students' curiosity, develop their knowledge and help them prepare for their zoo visit.
Connect and Understand
Foundation to Year 2
Students can become active explorers at Melbourne Zoo, learning about the needs of animals and how we can care for them. The sights, sounds, smells and immersive environment of the play-based space allows for student choice and self-paced discovery of living things. Students are encouraged to emotionally connect with, develop empathy and respect for animals and nature. Recommended for students up to Level 3 ability.
Year 3 to 10
Students will build independence, challenge themselves and look deeper into wildlife conservation at the zoo. Students will have access to a number of biological artefacts to allow students to connect, compare and problem solve. The lions will be watching the students while they solve inquiry-based problems and learn about their impacts on animal species in the wild. Recommended for students above Level 3 ability.
Your zoo visit will include: An introduction to the day (for arrivals between 9:40am – 10am), Zoo Teacher workshop (40 minutes) and keeper talks. Check out your Teaching Guide for other ideas of what to do at the zoo.
Act
Use the Teaching Guide to enable students to master their knowledge and skills in real-world contexts.
Program resources
Plan your excursion
Inclusive Learning is an outdoor all-weather program; the students will need appropriate clothing for weather conditions. This could include a raincoat, hat and sun protection.
School groups will enter Melbourne Zoo via the Rail Gate entrance. Organising teachers please check in with our Admissions team upon arrival. More Information.
All onsite excursion bookings are subject to coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions and as such are subject to change in line with the Victorian Chief Health Officer’s advice. We will be in contact with all teachers prior to their booked date if we need to clarify any new requirements.
Book your education experience
Fill out an online form to request a booking for your zoo education experience
Request booking nowYou will need to know the following to book your zoo excursion or online workshop:
- Education program of your choice (if applicable)
- Preferred date
- School name and address
- Contact details of organising teacher
- Number of students/classes and their year level