Virtual Field Trips

Virtual Field Trips

Virtual Field Trips 

Visit Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium from the comfort of your own home or classroom! Virtual field trips are hosted live through video conferencing with Zoo experts, and take participants inside the most popular exhibits at one of the world’s best zoos.

Designed to align with and supplement school curriculum, our distance learning programs are perfect for schools that cannot travel to the Zoo and for students learning from home.

During our virtual field trips students will learn about Zoo animals, speak with experts, play games, and explore habitats from around the world. These programs are fun, interactive, and correlate with state and national standards. Programs are scheduled at your convenience and connection is easy. The only technology required is a webcam, microphone, and an internet connection (preferably wired). All programs are adaptable for different age groups and developmental levels.

  • 60-Minute Program Fee: $150 (out-of-state), $140 (in-state) for the first program and $125 for each additional and consecutive program.
  • 30-Minute Program Fee: $125 (out of state), $120 (in-state) for the first program and $100 for each additional and consecutive program.

Due to the interactive nature of the program, class size is limited to one grade level and 50 students. Small schools may combine grades if they limit to under 50 students.

A pioneer of Distance Learning, Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium began connecting with schools in rural Nebraska over 20 years ago. The Virtual Field Trip program is a proud recipient of the Pinnacle Award from the Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration.

Contact the Education Department at (402) 738-6905 for more information or questions.

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60-Minute Programs (K - 12th Grade and Adult Learners)

Ocean Life and Conservation

Sharks, stingrays, sea turtles, and more ocean animals come to life as you join us live from the Scott Aquarium at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo! Participants will explore the different layers that make up the Ocean Ecosystem as well as the connection between our biggest and smallest ocean creatures. Participants will learn about the threats facing our oceans and discover simple things we can do in our own communities to help our oceans out! This program can be adapted to work with a variety of age groups, from early childhood all the way to adult learners. Our educators can focus on various topics, including husbandry, classification, food chains, invertebrates, sharks, migration, and more.

 

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Penguins Live!

Go nose-to-beak with more than 80 Antarctic penguins in one of our most popular programs! Become a penguin expert and learn about penguins all over the world, including the three types of cold-weather penguins housed inside the Scott Aquarium. Participants will witness their unique behaviors and amazing adaptions from a front row seat at one of the world's premier penguin exhibits. This interactive program explores penguins and their habitats. This program can be adapted to work with a variety of age groups, from early childhood all the way to adult learners.

 

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Endangered Species: A Global Crisis

An extinction crisis is threatening our planet. Join us live from Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium as we visit some of the endangered species that call the zoo home. We will look at the interconnectivity of all plants and animals in an ecosystem and the threats they face. Participants will learn about “Species Survival Plans” that help protect animals and eco-diversity and about simple steps we can take to help save some of the world’s most majestic creatures. This program is available live from either our Lied Jungle exhibit or our Desert Dome exhibit.

 

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Elephants: Animal Architects

Join us live from North America’s largest indoor elephant herd room and meet our herd of African Bush Elephants. Participants will learn the story of how these amazing animals came to live in the middle of the country, and what it takes to keep them healthy, happy, and engaged. Discover what makes these gigantic animals unique, and why it is colossally important that we work to protect them in the wild. This program contains plenty of opportunities for audience questions and is adaptable based on audience needs.

 

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Sights and Sounds of the Rainforest

Visit the Lied Jungle, the largest indoor rainforest in the country! This virtual tour of our nearly 2-acre multi-story exhibit gives participants a chance to see monkeys, bats, frogs, and so much more! We will learn about the plants and animals that make their home in various layers of the rainforest and participants will see why the Lied Jungle must been seen to be believed. The lush tropical backdrop will help build an appreciation for this incredible ecosystem as participants discover why it is important to save Earth's rainforests. This program contains plenty of opportunities for audience questions and is adaptable based on audience needs.

 

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Desert Life: Adapt to Survive

Join us on a quest to find adaptations among the plants and animals of the world’s largest indoor desert! Inside the biggest glazed geodesic dome on earth, participants will learn about the amazing adaptations needed to survive this dry habitat. Participants will learn what makes a desert while meeting the desert’s most incredible animal survivors. Students learn how plants protect their water, why some desert animals sleep all day, and much more. This program contains plenty of opportunities for audience questions and is adaptable based on audience needs.

 

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Giraffes: A Silent Extinction

Giraffes, the tallest animals on earth, are a keystone species that play a major role in their ecosystem. Over the past decade, giraffe populations have shrunk at an alarming rate due to habitat loss, human population growth, poaching, disease, war, and civil unrest. With a mix of live footage, keeper interviews, and video clips, participants will learn about the “silent extinction” facing these majestic creatures. Participants will also learn just what makes them so special, from their prehensile tongues to their six-foot legs.

 

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Oh Baby!

Babies are beloved all over the world, whether it’s human or animal. In this program, we will look at the different ways animals take care of their young, from the ocean to the rainforest and everywhere else in between. Participants will see how Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium works to support and assist the animal babies and their parents throughout the different zoo habitats. We will discover the unique challenges animal offspring face both in the wild and in a zoo environment. Of course, we will also see some of the most adorable animal babies imaginable. With an always changing selection of animal babies to choose from, this program offers plenty of opportunities for questions.


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30-Minute Programs (Preschool - First Grade)

Zoo Babies

One of our favorite things at the zoo is when a new baby is born! In this program, we'll meet some of our zoo babies and learn how animals care for their young in habitats all over the world.


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Can You See Me? Animal Camouflage

Why do some animals have fur and others have feathers? How do their different coverings help them survive in the wild? In this program we will look at different animal coverings, from scales to skin, and learn how the different types of coverings protect the animals from predators and from their environment.

 

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Tails and Tales: Animal Storytime

Join us from different exhibits at the zoo for a virtual storytime! We’ll share stories and songs, along with amazing animals from all over the zoo. Teachers will get to choose from a variety of locations on zoo grounds for this interactive, virtual storytime.

 

Book a Virtual Field Trip

Penguins LIVE!

Go nose-to-beak with more than 80 Antarctic penguins in one of our most popular programs! Become a penguin expert and learn about penguins all over the world, including the three types of cold-weather penguins housed inside the Scott Aquarium. Participants will witness their unique behaviors and amazing adaptions from a front row seat at one of the world's premier penguin exhibits. This interactive program explores penguins and their habitats. This program can be adapted to work with a variety of age groups, from early childhood all the way to adult learners.

 

Book a Virtual Field Trip