On-demand PD
Free professional learning from the comfort of your chair.
Level up your teaching of real-world content with these free 1-hour self-paced and online professional development. Sessions include learning areas such as Early Childhood, Science, STEM and Geography.
You will grow your knowledge, teaching skills and confidence:
- Gain ideas for sparking student interest and curiosity
- Learn up-to-date information and real-world examples
- Discover real ways to consolidate student learning
- Access lesson plans and resources that you can use right away
Choose your own adventure, at a time that suits you, by exploring the on-demand professional development listed below.
STEM and Design Thinking
Discover how to use STEM and Design Thinking to support your students to participate in the STEM Design Challenge.
STEM and Design Thinking (Foundation -Year 6)
During this PD, you will:
- Learn how to teach about animals using STEM lessons and activities
- Discover how students can design and communicate ideas that solve real problems
- Watch behind-the-scenes zoo videos
Learning areas: STEM
Recognition: certificate for 1 hour of PD
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers: 2.1, 3.2, 3.4
STEM and Design Thinking (Year 7-10)
During this PD, you will:
- Learn how to teach about animals using STEM lessons and activities
- Discover how students can design and communicate ideas that solve real problems
- Watch behind-the-scenes zoo videos
Learning areas: STEM
Recognition: certificate for 1 hour of PD
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers: 2.1, 3.2, 3.4
Early Childhood
Discover how to use nature-based activities to teach science, stories and Aboriginal cultures.
Nature Play in Everyday
During this online PD, you will:
- Learn how to teach nature play and science in any outdoor space
- Discover how to connect children with animals and their homes
- Watch behind-the-scenes zoo videos
Learning areas: VEYLDF, Science
Recognition: certificate for 1 hour of PD
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers: 2.1, 3.2, 3.4
Nature Play the Wurundjeri Way
During this online PD, you will:
- Learn how to teach about Aboriginal cultures during nature and outdoor play
- Discover how to connect children to animals, plants and the land
- Watch behind-the-scenes zoo videos
Learning areas: VEYLDF, Science
Recognition: certificate for 1 hour of PD
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers: 2.1, 2.4, 6.2
Foundation - Year 2
Discover how to teach Science using outdoor learning, nature-based activities and storytelling.
Nature Play in Science
During this online PD, you will:
- Learn how to teach hands-on Science lessons using nature play experiences
- Discover how to use outdoor spaces to teach about animals
- Watch behind-the-scenes zoo videos
Learning areas: Science
Recognition: certificate for 1 hour of PD
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers: 2.1, 3.4
Year 3-6
Discover how to teach Science using Australian animals, conservation stories and ethics.
Ethical Concepts (Year 3-4)
During this online PD, you will:
- Learn how to teach Ethical Capability as part of Science
- Discover real case studies that explore fairness as a contested concept
- Watch behind-the-scenes zoo videos
Learning areas: Science, Ethical Capability
Recognition: certificate for 1 hour of PD
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers: 3.2, 3.4, 6.2
Plains-wanderer (Year 3-4)
During this online PD, you will:
- Learn how to integrate your Science and English teaching
- Discover a real-life story of a unique and endangered bird
- Watch behind-the-scenes zoo videos
Learning areas: Science
Recognition: certificate for 1.5 hours of PD
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers: 2.1, 3.4
Aboriginal Cultures and Sustainability (Year 3-6)
During this online PD, you will:
- Learn how to weave Aboriginal cultures and sustainability into your teaching of Geography
- Discover real-world examples of how people care for the land and animals
- Watch behind-the-scenes zoo videos
Learning areas: Science, Geography, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures
Recognition: certificate for 1 hour of PD
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers: 3.2, 3.4, 6.2
Marine Guardians (Year 3-6)
During this online PD, you will:
- Learn how to teach about marine animal features, adaptations, life cycles and habitats
- Discover how to use STEM knowledge and skills to protect animals in the wild
- Watch behind-the-scenes zoo videos
Learning areas: Science, Design and Technologies
Recognition: certificate for 1 hour of PD
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers: 2.1, 3.2, 3.4
Orange-bellied Parrot (Year 5-6)
During this online PD, you will:
- Learn how to integrate your Science and English teaching
- Discover a real-life story of a unique and endangered parrot
- Watch behind-the-scenes zoo videos
Learning areas: Science
Recognition: certificate for 1.5 hours of PD
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers: 2.1, 3.4
Year 7-10
Discover how to teach Science and Geography using real-world inquiry and ethical concepts.
Mountain Pygmy-possums (Year 7-8)
During this online PD, you will:
- Learn how to teach animal adaptation, classification, food webs and food chains
- Discover how to use a real science innovation case study in your teaching
- Watch behind-the-scenes zoo videos
Learning areas: Science
Recognition: certificate for 1.5 hours of PD
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers: 2.1, 3.4
Science and Ethics in Zoos (Year 7-8)
During this online PD, you will:
- Learn how to teach Science while developing the Ethical Capability of your students
- Discover real-world zoo examples that you can use in your teaching
- Watch behind-the-scenes zoo videos
Learning areas: Science
Recognition: certificate for 1 hour of PD
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers: 3.2, 3.3
Marine Guardians (Year 7-10)
During this online PD, you will:
- Learn how to teach about marine animal adaptations, classifications and food webs
- Discover how to use STEM knowledge and skills to protect animals in the wild
- Watch behind-the-scenes zoo videos
- A range of activities that you can use right away
Learning areas: STEM
Recognition: certificate for 1 hour of PD
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers: 2.1, 3.2, 3.4
Adaptations and Evolution (Year 9-10)
During this online PD, you will:
- Learn how to teach adaptations, body systems, DNA and evolution
- Discover how to use tools like scientific inquiry and un-Googleable questions
- Watch behind-the-scenes zoo videos
Learning areas: Science
Recognition: certificate for 1 hour of PD
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers: 2.1, 3.4
Other professional development
Zoos Victoria also offers other professional development opportunities for you: