Como Park Zoo & Conservatory is the perfect destination for schools groups looking to educate and inspire their students with fascinating and fun animal encounters and experiences. With programs for students starting in Preschool all the way up through 12th grade, we’ve got options to fit the needs of students at every stage of their learning journey.
Preschool Programs
Ages 3-5
Group Maximum: 25 Students
Duration of Programs: 30-45 minutes
Fabulous Frogs
This interactive program is designed for our youngest learners! Join us as we grow into frogs, read a frog story, and try our hand at jumping, eating, and moving like frogs. Also, we’ll meet a few unique frogs and toads from the Zoo!
$100 On-site/$125 Outreach
Mini Movers
During Mini Movers our youngest learners will discover how animals stay safe in nature by swimming, hopping, flying, and stomping. This interactive program includes a story, creative movement and animal visitors that are sure to delight!
$100 On-site/ $125 Outreach
Fur Feathers Scales Slime
Meet some live animals that are very different from each other! Learn the difference between mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Can you move your body like one of these creatures? We will play some fun games to find out!
$100 On-site/ $125 Outreach
Penguins*
What makes a penguin a penguin? Explore the world of penguins and what makes them so unique. Enjoy a visit from a real live penguin! Then discover the adaptations penguins have through games and movement.
$150 On-site/$175 Outreach
*Offsite penguin programs must be within 30 minutes of Como due to animal safety*
Kindergarten and 1st Grade Programs
Group Maximum: 50 Students
Duration of Programs: 45-60 minutes
Fur, Feathers, Scales and Slime!
Meet some live animals that are very different from each other! Learn the difference between mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Can you move your body like one of these creatures? We will play some fun games to find out!
$125 On-site/$150 Outreach
Let’s Get Buggy
There are so many bugs in our world and they all look so different! In this program students will sort bugs into different categories and learn how they change throughout their lives. Students will get an up close view of some of Como’s bugs to help them explore these ideas.
$125 On-site/$150 Outreach
Mini Movers
Kindergarten Level: How do animals move their bodies? Find out in this interactive program which includes a story, creative movement games and animal visitors that are sure to delight!
1st Grade Level: Take it a step further in this more advanced version of Mini Movers for the first grade level. Students will find out not only how animals move, but also WHY they move. Animal visitors will be ready to help answer these questions.
$125 On-site/$150 Outreach
2nd and 3rd Grade Programs
Group Maximum: 50 Students
Duration of Programs: 45-60 minutes
Plants That Care
Did you eat a piece of fruit, brush your teeth, or wear a sweatshirt today? Then you use some of the many resources we get from plants. Students will find out how we use plants and what plants need to survive in this program. Meet plants from Como and even make a plant product to take home and enjoy!
$125 On-site/$150 Outreach
Jump, Slither and Slide!
You’ll meet a variety of animal ambassadors as you discover some of the amazing adaptations that reptiles and amphibians have. Students will learn to sort these animals into their different categories and discover how their adaptations help them survive in their specific environment.
$125 On-site/$150 Outreach
4th Through 12th Grade Programs
Group Maximum: 50 Students
Duration of Programs: 45-60 minutes
Keepers of the Garden And Zoo
Ever wonder what Como’s zookeepers and gardeners do all day? Through this class, you will get a sneak peek at the countless duties which keep them busy all day long with some help from live animal ambassadors. You’ll even get a “behind-the scenes” tour of the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory’s greenhouses! (tour for on-site programs only)
$125 On-site/$150 Outreach
Animal Careers (9th Grade – Adults)
Considering a career with animals? During this program explore the many different career opportunities available, discuss ethical dilemmas in animal work, and learn more about what it’s really like to work with animals with help from a live animal ambassador!
$125 On-site/$150 Outreach
Outstanding Orangutans (6th Grade – Adults)
Did you know that orangutans are 8x stronger than humans? Come learn more about these forest engineers, including what struggles they face in the wild, and how we can help them. Finish with a visit to the orangutans of Como – its’ sure to be an outstanding good time!
$125 On-site/$150 Outreach
Check out our Penguin Program!
Yellow Bus Fund – Field Trip Costs Covered by Grant to Como
We are not currently accepting applications at this time.
Como has recently received a generous gift from the Donald Weesner Charitable Trust to support transportation costs associated with field trips to our park. The Yellow Bus Fund is designed to assist school-aged children who would otherwise not be financially able to visit environmental learning centers like Como Park Zoo and Conservatory. Through this grant, we are able to offset some of the cost of your field trip when you book a program with our Education Department.
Como offers a variety of affordable, fun, and interactive programs for school-agers that include everything from the tropical rain forest to the Arctic tundra. Programs last between 30 and 75 minutes based on the theme and most can accommodate up to 50 students.
Eligible groups are invited to complete the attached application form and return it to Como Park Zoo and Conservatory. Allocation of funds will be determined both by the number of students served and a statement of need.
Completed applications can be sent by mail, fax, or email as listed below. Please submit your request to the attention of School and Group Programs Coordinator. Organizations will be contacted regarding the awarding of funds upon completing the application review process.
Individual schools and groups are responsible for coordinating their own transportation to Como. Immediately following the scheduled program, organizations are required to submit an invoice for bussing fees to Como Park Zoo and Conservatory to allow reimbursement of awarded funds.
Como Park Zoo and Conservatory
1225 Estabrook Drive
St. Paul, MN 55103
Email: Brigid.Murphy@ci.stpaul.mn.us
Contact/Register
If you would like to schedule an education program, or for more information, call the education department at 651-487-8272 or email: ComoEducation@ci.stpaul.mn.us
