Secondary Programme
Our Secondary School workshops stimulate pupils to help them grow and develop.
The role of Secondary education is to nurture the development of pupils’ cognitive, social, emotional, cultural and physical skills.
ZooLab’s Secondary workshops are highly curriculum-driven, delivering an understanding of complex biological, social or engineering concept through hands-on animal encounters to provide
fun and engaging learning experiences.
Workshops
Adaptations
KS 1, 2, 3; First, Second, Third, Fourth Stage. Ages 5 - 14.
This hands-on workshop uses ZooLab animals to investigate how and why some species adapt, evolve and adjust to a changing environment over millions of years. We look at the human factor in evolution, discover vestigial traits of some species and discover the ability of some species to live almost anywhere.
Biodiversity
KS 1, 2, 3, 4; First, Second, Third, Fourth Stage. Ages 5 - 14.
Nature is a carefully balanced ecosystem which supports a wide variety of life through it’s biodiversity. This workshop uses ZooLab animals to illustrate how animals effect and are affected by changes through habitat destruction, pesticides and illegal animal trade. We also look at the Rainforest, and highlight the diversity of arachnids, insects and amphibians.
Biomimetics & Amazing Adaptations
KS 3, 4; Third, Fourth Stage.
Ages 11 - 16.
This fascinating session will look at a section of complex behaviours from the animal world including Batesian mimicry, parthenogenesis and camouflage! What can humans learn from these marvels? Find out how nature-inspired solutions are influencing scientific, medical and engineering discovery.
Build A Dinosaur
KS 1, 2, 3, 4; First, Second, Third, Fourth Stage. Ages 5 - 14.
ZooLab's animals provide some hands-on evolutionary clues as pupils get hands-on with evolutionary changes and adaptations first hand. We investigate how animal senses and characteristics have developed and adapted over evolutionary time. This workshop combines scientific working and imagination and to uncover the big ideas of science and stimulate keen interest in young minds.
Charles Darwin - The Voyage Of The Beagle
KS 1, 2; First Stage, Second Stage. Ages 5 - 11.
Charles Darwin travelled from
England to South America, then
to New Zealand, Australia, and finally Africa on the HMS Beagle. This fun and exciting voyage inspired Darwin and his theories. You’ll get to meet some of our extraordinary animals, similar to species Darwin himself saw and recorded. This is an excellent workshop for classes learning
about historical figures, evolution, adaptations, geography, and habitats.
Classification
KS 1, 2, 3; First, Second, Third, Fourth Stage. Ages 5 - 14.
This hands-on, animal-handling workshop experience brings pupils face to face with classification. It is all part of an experiential and interactive learning experience in which introduces ZooLab animals that include vertebrates and invertebrates. Pupils explore different classes of animal so they can uncover their differences and similarities themselves.
Endangered Animals
KS 1, 2, 3, 4; First, Second, Third, Fourth Stage. Ages 5 - 14.
Many species of animals are dangerously close to vanishing forever. During this workshop pupils will learn the terminology of extinction and gain a practical knowledge by through looking at some cases such as the dinosaurs and the dodo. We illustrate how the pace of extinction has quickened and discover what we can do to help.
Evolution
KS 1, 2, 3, 4; First, Second, Third, Fourth Stage. Ages 5 - 14.
Evolution is the story of our planet and its inhabitants - how they have come to be; how they have changed, grown, multiplied and died over a 4 ½ billion yearlong drama! This workshop examines how ZooLab’s animals have evolved and explores the concepts of speciation, natural and sexual selection, adaptations and DNA. We take a look at the origins of life on Earth and explore how life has evolved in such diversity!
Habitats
KS 1, 2, 3. First, Second, Third, Fourth Stage. Ages 5 - 14.
This workshop introduces pupils to different habitats from around the world that include tropical rainforests, deserts, polar regions and oceans. This hands-on workshop looks at three great survivors; rats, cockroaches and humans and considers how and why they have survived.
Human Impacts On The Environment
KS 3, KS 4; Third, Fourth.
Ages 11 -16.
Never before has environmental learning been so important and this workshop was created to feed into this thirst for knowledge and continue inspiring change.
In this workshop we explore the combination of human activities that has led to the climate crisis - from greenhouse gases to the negative effects of tourism. We also discover what we can do to reverse some of the damage caused.
Rainforest Unwrapped
KS 1, 2, 3, 4; First, Second, Third, Fourth Stage. Ages 5 - 14.
The rainforest is a cornicopia of resources. It supplies us with a plethora of day to day items that we take for granted - things including wood, medicine and food - but at what price? This hands-on workshop delves into life in the rainforest and looks at how we’re depleating these resources. Can we reverse this man-made effect through recycling and sustainability? Pupils learn how making a few small changes to our lives, we can help ensure the preservation of this fascinating habitat for years to come.
Predators, Prey & Food Chains
KS 1, 2, 3, 4; First, Second, Third, Fourth Stage. Ages 5 - 14.
In this workshop we look at feeding connections (what-eats-what) in an ecological community. Using our ZooLab animals, we examine herbivores, carnivores and omnivores and learn how to classify non-living and living things. Pupils discover where energy comes from and how the consumer resource system can cause the disruption of a food web.
Symbiosis
KS3, KS4, KS5; Third Stage, Fourth Stage and Senior Stage. Ages 12 - 17.
Nature can be downright bizarre! Filled with real-world examples, this workshop focuses on the different ways that animals interact with one and other. Pupils will investigate mutualistic, commensalistic and parasitic relationship - from crocodiles and teeth cleaning plover birds, to mind-controlled ants and malaria.
Rainforest Discovery
KS 1, 2, 3, 4; First, Second, Third, Fourth Stage. Ages 5 - 14.
Your ZooLab Ranger takes you on an exciting journey through the rainforest, letting you get hands-on with real rainforest animals! Learn all about the different rainforest layers that these animals live in, who and what they eat and how they’re coming under threat. Discover everything you ever wanted to know about life in the steamy tropics.
The Junkfood Roadshow
KS 1, 2, 3, 4; First, Second, Third, Fourth Stage. Ages 5 - 14.
Taking place in your Food Technology or Home Economics department, The JunkFood Roadshow is designed to promote healthy eating. In this practical show your ZooLab presenter cooks a healthy pizza and pits it against a processed burger - investigating the indecipherable manufacturer’s ingredients list along the way. Would you want to eat it if you actually knew what was in it?