School programs allow students to explore the fascinating plants and animals at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory. These educational experiences are available at the zoo and your educational institution.
Como educators will guide students on an engaging journey through the plant and animal kingdoms, using a variety of hands-on activities to spark interest and deepen understanding.
Mini Movers – Preschool and Kindergarten (4 and 5 year-olds)
Participants: 25 maximum per program
Time: 30-45 minutes per program
Animals move their bodies in different ways, but why? Find out in this interactive program which includes creative movement games and a story that is sure to delight.
Plants That Care – 1st and 2nd grade
Participants: 35 maximum per program
Time: 45-60 minutes per program
Did you eat a piece of fruit, brush your teeth, or wear a shirt today? If you said yes, you used some of the many resources we get from plants. Learn how important plants are in our everyday life by learning the various ways we use them.
Survival Sidekicks – 3rd and 4th grade
Participants: 35 maximum per program
Time: 45-60 minutes per program
It’s a challenging ecosystem out there, so it’s better to have a sidekick to survive! In this program about plant and animal relationships, we’ll explore the many ways they rely on each other and learn about some weird and wacky natural partnerships.
Abundantly Abiotic – 5th and 6th grade
Participants: 35 maximum per program
Time: 45-60 minutes per program
Boring as a rock? Not this class! Take a deep dive into the many ways living things rely on the non-living components that make up their ecosystems. We’ll discover how a plant’s adaptations are uniquely connected to its surroundings and explore the weird world of extremophiles – champions of extreme living conditions.
To book a program, contact ComoEducation@ci.stpaul.mn.us (preferred) or call 651-487-8272.
Onsite programs:
- Fee: Programs booked at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory are $150.
- Time slots: Programs can be booked Monday through Friday at the following time slots 9:00 am, 10:15 am, 11:30 am, 12:45 pm and 2:00 pm.
Note: The Mini Movers program cannot be booked at 9:00 am.
Offsite programs:
- Fee: Programs booked at your educational institution are $200. An additional program that is booked back-to-back is $150.
- Time: Programs are reserved as they fit into your schedule.
- Mileage fee: A mileage fee may be applied to help cover travel costs.
- No additional fee is charged under 25 miles from Como
- $25 fee will be added between 26-50 miles from Como
- $50 fee will be added between 51-75 miles from Como.
- If over 75 miles from Como, email comoeducation@ci.stpaul.mn.us with your program inquiry.
- No additional fee is charged under 25 miles from Como
Payment:
Once the program date and time are finalized, full payment is required 7 days before your program.
For payment by credit card call 651-487-8272.
If paying by check, make check payable to Education Reservations and mail to:
Education Reservations
1225 Estabrook Drive
St. Paul, MN 55103
Reservations for programs are commitment to payment. If you cancel your scheduled program(s) for any reason, you will be charged a $25 administrative fee. There is a one-time rescheduling option if requested more than 48 hours before your scheduled program(s). You will be charged the full amount of the scheduled program(s) if canceled less than 48 hours before the event.
