Students can now visit the Zoo without leaving their classroom using a range of interactive video conferences.

Schools can choose from literacy and biodiversity special events or a complimentary pre-Zoo visit video conference which is the perfect introduction to your Zoo excursion.  You can even video conference with us after you visit the Zoo so you can let us know what you're doing to help animals and the environment. 

Find out more about the sessions we offer, how to book and our professional development services below.

Available Video Conferences

Before and after your Zoo excursion Video Conferences

Book in for a free video conference designed to compliment your zoo excursion. Pre-visit video conferences provide the perfect opportunity to prepare for your day at the zoo. The session will introduce some key concepts, build excitement before your visit and help students and teachers prepare for your day at either Taronga or Taronga Western Plains Zoos.

Post visit video conferences are designed to keep in touch with students and help maintain the motivation to take action for animals and the environment. Students will recieve encouragement and advice as they update the Zoo Educators on their actions for the environment since visiting the Zoo. 

Pre-visit and post-visit excursions are available for the following sessions throughout the year:

• K-2 workshop
• Endangered Animals / Threatened habitats
• Classification
• Animals of the Dreaming

Senior Biology Topics 

Along with a variety of senior biology programs available when booking an excursion to Taronga Zoo, this year we are offering specialised videoconferences on: The Evolution of Australian Biota, Communication, The Human Story and Maintaining a Balance.

The following Senior Biology video conference sessions are available at Taronga Zoo Sydney

Maintaining a Balance 

Workshop Topic

Curriculum-related workshop on Year 12 Biology Topic – Maintaining a Balance.
Workshop case studies a variety of Australian animals’ responses to temperature and water regulation. 

Stage/Age Targeted

Year 12 Biology

Dates:   

Term 3: 15-18 October and 19-22 November

Cost and How to Book:

Video Conference: Session - $60 per max group of 30.

Click here to book through DART Connections. Hint: Select Taronga Zoo Sydney in the 'filter excursions by provider' drop down menu.

The Human Story at Taronga

Curriculum–related workshops and video conference sessions on year 12 Biology option – The Human Story. 

Description

During this workshop, primate characteristics are described, including hand/foot structure and function, opposable thumb or toe, skull shape and function, brain size relative to body size, arrangement of the vertebral column to the degree of upright stance and degree of stereoscopic vision, parental care and other reproductive features. Using this information a discussion is held outlining the features that classify humans as primates.

Prosimians are also compared with anthropoids, as are new and old world monkeys and apes.

Students will also be challenged in justifying positive values and attitudes towards and the consequences of the applications of science.

Stage/age targeted

Year 12 Biology

Dates

Term 2: 14-17 May

Costs and How to Book

Video Conference: Session - $60 per max group of 30.

Click here to book through DART Connections. Hint: Select Taronga Zoo Sydney in the 'filter excursions by provider' drop down menu. 

Communication

Curriculum-related workshops and video conference sessions on year 12 Biology option – Communication

Description

Throughout this Biology elective module, students will learn about many of the ways humans and animals communicate. A particular focus is placed on visual and auditory communication and the structure and function of the organs involved in a range of species. Live animals are shown to students to demonstrate the organs used in communication, giving students the opportunity to experience this first-hand.  We will explore the ability of different animals to produce and detect sounds in various ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum and explain why it is useful to communicate in various ranges.

Stage/age targeted

Year 12 Biology

Dates

Term 3: 17-19 Sept 2013

Costs and How to Book

Video Conference: Session - $60 per max group of 30.

Click here to book through DART Connections. Hint: Select Taronga Zoo Sydney in the 'filter excursions by provider' drop down menu. 

Evolution of Australian Biota 

Curriculum–related workshops and video conference sessions on year 11 Biology Topic – Evolution of Australian Biota.

Description

This preliminary Biology module is brought to life with Australian animals. During the presentation students will learn a brief history of the Australian continent, from its early position as part of the very large southern landmass, Gondwana, to its present global location. Further to this, students will learn about the following syllabus-related information:

The climatic changes that have occurred on the Australian continent in the last 50 million years. The effect these environment changes had on the evolution of Australian animals, with particular reference to the evolution of kangaroos.

Examples of Australian animals which show variation within species and under what conditions these variations occurred.

Mechanisms employed by a selection of Australian fauna to ensure fertilisation and survival of the embryo and young after birth.

Stage/age targeted

Year 11 Biology

Dates

Term 3: 30 July – 2 Aug

 Costs and How to Book

Video Conference: Session - $60 per max group of 30.

Click here to book through DART Connections. Hint: Select Taronga Zoo Sydney in the 'filter excursions by provider' drop down menu. 

Special Events

Let the Zoo help you and your students engage with and celebrate Australia’s nationally-recognised events in literacy and biodiversity.

Special video conference events for 2013 include:

• Biodiversity Month (Australian Reptiles) 

• Childrens Authors (Garry Fleming's 'Bollygum'), Book Week 

• Children's Authors (Jan Latta's 'True to Life' animal adventures)

• Children's Authors (Literature Live! Aleesah Darlison)

• Schools Tree day

• Clean Up Australia Day

• World Environment Day (Clean up Australia for Reptiles)

• Senior Biology programs

• Business Studies

• Science Week (joint Zoo and Botanic Gardens sessions)

• Careers at the Zoo

• Dinosaurs ... For the Wild

• Reconciliation Week

• NAIDOC Week 

• Col Hardy's 'Animals of the Dreaming' 

• Keeping Animals in Schools (includes some PD sessions) 

Click here for more information on these and other Zoo based themed workshops.

How to book a Video Conference

Bookings are made through DART Connections for NSW state schools.

To easily find a session, click on upcoming excursions and select Taronga Zoo Education Centre as a filter and browse to find the session you’d like.

If you are from a non-NSW state school, please contact us directly on (02) 9978 4624 or (02) 99784578. To be able to access our sessions you must have video conferencing facilities.