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Two secondary students smile as a Zoo staff member shows them a small sphere-shaped enrichment device.

Special Development Schools Program

Werribee Zoo logo

Year levels

Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6, Year 7, Year 8, Year 9, Year 10, Foundation, Year 1, Year 2

Cost

See Plan Your Visit 

Availability

Monday to Friday (during school term)

Themes

Animal Welfare

Back to all courses

A non-curriculum aligned program for students to learn about caring for animals at the zoo.

Program description

This program gives students a unique opportunity to learn about how enrichment is used to care for animals at the zoo.  The program addresses the needs of students through adaptive activities in a safe and supportive environment. 

Students will learn: 

  • About different animals 
  • How the zoo uses enrichment to care for animals 

Program sequence

Before your visit

Connect  

Use the activities in the Teaching Guide (below) to spark students’ curiosity before their zoo visit.

During your visit

Connect and Understand 

During a Zoo Teacher workshop, students will have the opportunity to interact with animal enrichment and biofacts, while exploring a range of tactile items to discover how animals survive and how we help them thrive at the zoo. 

Your zoo visit will include:  Introduction (for arrivals between 9:45am – 10:00am), Zoo Teacher workshop (30 minutes), Safari Bus Tour (40 minutes) and keeper talks. Check out your Teaching Guide for other ideas of what to do at the zoo.

After your visit

Act 

Use the Teaching Guide to enable students to master their knowledge and skills in real-world contexts. 

Program map and itineraries

Your booking confirmation email will list your group's education workshop/s and safari bus tour time. Each workshop time has its own map and daily itinerary. Paper maps will be provided to you on the day.

Werribee Zoo - Itinerary for 10.10am Workshop Werribee Zoo – Itinerary for 10.50am Workshop Werribee Zoo - Itinerary for 11.30am Workshop Werribee Zoo - Itinerary for 12.10pm Workshop

Program resources

Teaching guide Sensory map Social story Accessibility information

Plan your excursion 

This program is an outdoor all-weather program; the students will need appropriate clothing for weather conditions. This could include a raincoat, hat and sun protection.  

The organising teacher should make themselves known to Admission Staff prior to entering the Zoo so that payment can be made. More information. 

Book your education experience

Fill out an online form to request a booking for your zoo education experience

Request booking now

You 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