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Ready for a change of pace? Take a teacher workshop at Brookfield Zoo!
Our expert educators will inform, entertain, and engage you as you explore a wide range of topics. The following classes carry ISBE credit (CPDUs) at no additional charge. Many provide optional graduate credit for an additional fee.
Refund Policy
All class fees include a $40 nonrefundable registration fee for 1-hour graduate classes and a $75 nonrefundable registration fee for 3-hour graduate classes. Class fees, minus the nonrefundable registration fee, can be refunded or transferred to another teacher class if we receive notice of this request at least two weeks prior to the date of the original class.
Have you checked out our new Advanced Inquiry Program Master’s degree? It’s fun and exciting, includes travel abroad, and is very affordable. Check it out at www.czs.org/aip
For questions, contact Lanis Petrik at 708-688-8372 or Lanis.Petrik@czs.org., or Julie Wozniak at 708-688-8367 or Julie.Wozniak@czs.org
2013 Teacher Classes at Brookfield Zoo
Invasive Species: Visitors With No Baggage!
April 19 (4:30 p.m. - 10-:00 p.m.) and 20 (8:30 - 4:30 p.m.), all grades, $150, optional graduate credit ($115 through Benedictine University),
15 CPDU's
Look around you! You might be amazed to realize how many of the plants and animals in our landscape are not native to this area! Zebra mussels, garlic mustard, buckthorn, Dutch elm disease, emerald ash borers, sea lampreys and more affect our ecosystems. What actions can you (and your students!) do to prevent or solve problems? Staff from the Illinois Indiana Sea Grant and Brookfield Zoo join forces as we explore aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.
Form And Function
May 11 at Brookfield Zoo and May 18 at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM both days, $140, all grades, 1 optional graduate credit hour ($100 through Aurora University), 15 CPDUs.
Discover weird and wonderful examples of life in the plant and animal kingdoms with examples from desert, rain forest, and grassland ecosystems. Hands on investigations will center on animal dentition, the structure of cells, camouflage and taxonomy. Attention will be paid to structural, physiological and behavioral adaptations.
Registration for this program has closed. Take a look at our other programs and check back next quarter for new program offerings.
Professional Development Day at Brookfield Zoo
May 18, 900 AM.-2:00 PM Brookfield Zoo’s Discovery Center
9:00-9:15 Welcome,
Light breakfast
9:15-11:15 Breakout session 1
11:15-12:00 Lunch
12:00-2:00 Breakout session 2
Breakout sessions include: Science Inquiry, Turning Labs Into Inquiry,
Using Picture Books for Science Literacy, and Zoo Math
Program Cost: $75.00 includes breakfast, lunch, materials and 4 CPDU’s.
Zoo Gardens
NEW! May 31 (4:30-10 PM) and June 1 (8:30 AM - 4:30 PM ), all grades, $140, 1 optional graduate credit ($100 through Aurora University), 15 CPDU’s.
Formal gardens, exhibit plantings that mimic natural ecosystems, native prairie and oak savannahs, wetlands, butterfly gardens and more comprise the horticultural side of Brookfield Zoo. We’ll hear from staff and volunteers who care for the plants at the Zoo, use inquiry to focus our observations, and participate in classroom and field trip activities.
Ocean Explorers
June 10 to June 14, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. each day. All grades, $350, 3 optional graduate science hours ($345 Benedictine University) or 3 optional graduate credit hours ($300 Aurora University), 45 CPDUs.
Our most popular summer class is back! We focus on ocean animals: bottlenose dolphins, penguins, seals, sea lions, and more. Carry out a behavioral observation and develop inquiry questions for use with your students. The fee includes curriculum materials and a book.
Birds
June 25 and June 27, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. both days, Grades 4–12, $140, 1 optional graduate science credit ($100 through Aurora University), 15 CPDUs
From the smallest hummingbird to the largest ostrich, the bird world is filled with feathered marvels. Discover what exactly makes a bird a bird and how diverse birds can be! They can be found on every continent and in every ecosystem thanks to the countless biological adaptations that enhance their survival. This class includes activities for outdoor exploration, zoo visits and the classroom. Time will be spent observing the bird collection at Brookfield Zoo.
Butterflies
June 24 at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Chicago and June 26 at Brookfield Zoo, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. both days, Grades K-9, $140, 1 optional graduate science credit (Aurora University, $100), 15 CPDUs
Visit two wonderful butterfly habitats and learn about the life cycle of these beautiful creatures. Design and conduct inquiry observations, hear about butterflies from the experts who care for them, and get activities for use in your classroom.
Primates
July 8 to 12, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. each day. All grades, $350, 3 optional graduate science hours ($300, Aurora University), 45 CPDUs
In this course we investigate primate conservation and behavior through direct observation providing a foundation for understanding research methods and conservation issues. Callimicos, Spider Monkeys, Brown Capuchins, White Cheeked Gibbons, Orangutans, Mangabeys, Lowland Gorillas and other primates are ideal for comparative studies on topics ranging from social structure to communication. Meet scientists, curators, and animals keepers who will share information and stories.
Zoology
July 15-19, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. each day, All grades, $350, 3 optional graduate science hours ($345, Benedictine University) or 3 optional graduate credit hours ($300, Aurora University), 45 CPDUs
Zoology capitalizes on most students’ natural interest in and fascination with animals while teaching basic biological concepts that can be applied to other areas. Studying zoology at one of the country’s major zoos gives participants access to opportunities for hands on observations, staff expertise, an extensive biofact collections, and real-life animal stories and information. This course is designed to help teachers gain biological information for application in their classrooms as well as the methodology to do so.
Picture Book Science (New!)
July 29 through August 2, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. each day, 3 graduate credit hours (Aurora University $300), 45 cpdu’s. $350 grades K-9.
Have trouble finding the time to fit in science? Love to use picture books in your classroom? This is your class! Make more time and expand content knowledge in science all while learning literacy skills. Come learn about this great way to integrate science within your curriculum and explore key science and literacy concepts through the use of picture books. Sample lessons, learn to pick effective books, plan a unit and take resources back to your classroom.
Evolution: Change Over Time
July 27 (8:30-4:30) & 28 (11:00 to 4:30), grades 1-9, $140, 1 optional graduate credit ($100 through Aurora University), 15 CPDU’s.
Using explorations of our exciting Dinosaurs Alive! exhibit and observations of living dinosaur relatives, construct a time line of biological change, research how factors such as the environment and the presence of predators affect natural selection, and sort species into groups. A tented showcase highlights most recent paleontological findings, including scientific discoveries that show how birds evolved from dinosaurs. Engage in discussion about the role of humans in ongoing change and survival factors for living species.
Exploring Rain Forest Communities
July 27 (8:30-4:30) & 28 (11:00 to 4:30), grades 1-9, $140, 1 optional graduate credit ($100 through Aurora University), 15 CPDU’s.
Spend Saturday at Chicago Botanic Garden and Sunday at Brookfield Zoo and learn about rainforests worldwide — why they’re important, why some are disappearing, and why we want to protect them. Join educators at Chicago Botanic Garden in the warm, steamy greenhouses to explore rainforest plants and their adaptations. At Brookfield Zoo, seek out animals of the rainforest in our cozy rainforest exhibits, and learn about their adaptations for survival. At both places, learn hands-on art and science activities for use in the classroom. Teachers will explore rainforests through classroom activities that relate to language arts, math, science, social studies, and fine arts.
Foundations Of Inquiry
August 5–9, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. each day. 3 graduate science credit hours (Aurora University $300), 45 cpdu’s. $350 all grades.
The Cycle of Inquiry is a user friendly version of the scientific method that emphasizes the inquiry question format to promote thinking and investigation. Science, reading and math are shown as the foundations of inquiry. This class shows teachers how they can engage their students in studies of important curricular subjects, encouraging them to learn by asking questions and using the school’s natural surroundings as a living laboratory.
Focus on the "E" in STEM!
October 4 (4:30 - 10:00 p.m.) and 5 (8:30 - 4:30 p.m.) Grades 3 - 10, $150, 1 optional graduate credit ($100) from Aurora University, 15 CPDU's. What is engineering? It’s solving problems, and it’s easier than you may think to harness your students’ natural love of exploration (building, planning, taking apart and investigating) to incorporate engineering into your science classroom. Through a variety of engaging activities participants will build a portfolio of curriculum ideas that support the new Science Standards
Animal Colors
October 11 (4:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.) and 12 (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.), All Grades, $140 fee, 1 optional graduate credit ($100 through Aurora University), 15 CPDU’s.
Camouflage, warning colors, attracting a mate, and declaring a territory: color plays many roles in the animal world. Discover the purpose of a zebra’s stripes, a fish’s white belly and the dots on a tiger’s ears through activities and guided animal observations. Take home AV of beautiful Brookfield Zoo animals and activities for your classroom.
Illinois Biodiversity
October 18 (4:30 – 10:00 p.m.) at Brookfield Zoo and 19 ( 8:30 a.m. -4:30 p.m.) at Spring Valley Nature Center, 1111 E. Schaumburg Rd, Schaumburg. 8:30 - 4:30 daily, grades 4 - 12, $140, 1 optional graduate credit (through Aurora University).
What is biodiversity, why is it important, what is the status of biodiversity and how can we protect biodiversity for future generations? Participate in activities designed to study biodiversity in Illinois and to engage your students in caring about and caring for nature! Receive activities from “Illinois Biodiversity Basics” and other extensive curriculum materials
Exploring Nature With Children
October 26, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and 27 (11:00-a.m. -5:00 p.m.) Please note: this is a Saturday/ Sunday class. Grades Pre K–3, $140, 1 optional graduate credit ($100), 15 CPDU’s
You don’t need to be any kind of an expert to share nature with young children through activities ranging from nature yoga to art, crafts, and games. Discover the fun that you can find in the natural world in the school yard, a vacant lot or your own back yard. Create an inquiry activity for curious kids!
Smart Consumers
November 8 (4:30–10:00 p.m.) & 9 (8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.) Elementary grades, $140,1 optional graduate credit (through Aurora University, $100) , 15 CPDU’s.
This class will help teachers understand how to move from the role of "knowledge owner" to that of "facilitator" in their classrooms. Participants will learn the differences between student-centered and teacher-centered approaches, as they experience student-centered activities at the Zoo. Participants will then learn how to turn their classrooms into student-centered environments, and develop practical lessons and activities that they can implement in their classrooms.
Hands-On Classroom
November 8 (4:30–10:00 p.m.) & 9 (8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.) Elementary grades, $140,1 optional graduate credit (through Aurora University, $100) , 15 CPDU’s.
This class will help teachers understand how to move from the role of "knowledge owner" to that of "facilitator" in their classrooms. Participants will learn the differences between student-centered and teacher-centered approaches, as they experience student-centered activities at the Zoo. Participants will then learn how to turn their classrooms into student-centered environments, and develop practical lessons and activities that they can implement in their classrooms.