Topic outline

  • Home Educators

    Home Educators

    • Explore our wide range of free learning from home resources for all ages, discover our new mix and match learning packages or book a zoo visit for when it's safe to do so!

  • New! RZSS Wild Learning

    Explore our brand new programme based in our wildlife garden and around the zoo!

    Children will work with our experienced outdoor learning team, all trained teachers and including Forest School trained staff, to develop confidence and self-esteem in the outdoors one day a week for 7 week blocks.

    Find out more about RZSS Wild Learning

    • Free Interactive Resources

      • Stay in the loop!

        Sign up to our home education mailing listto be the first to find out about learning and educational projects from Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park, as well as discovering opportunities for home educators and their students to engage with us in person and online.

        Sign up here!

        • Mix and Match Learning Packages

          Step 1:

          Choose your tour

          Select a virtual tour, or bring your learners to the Zoo!

          See all tours
          Step 2:

          Add some workshops

          Choose from a wide range of interactive workshops.

          Browse workshops
          Step 3:

          Book now!

          Let us know what activities you've chosen!

          Book your package!
          Step 4:

          Explore your online resources

          Every tour and workshop has free accompanying activities.

          Explore now

            • FAQs

              Frequently Asked Questions about virtual sessions, resources and rucksacks...

              • Who is the Discovery and Learning Package for?

                Our virtual tours, workshops, self-led visits and supporting online resources have been developed to suit every age group and a variety of learning outcomes.

                Nursery, Primary and Secondary sessions are available for schools, home educators and other community groups. Each session will also be adapted to your group's needs! If you have any questions, please email us at education@rzss.org.uk

                What is involved in a virtual tour?

                You and your learners will be transported into the zoo digitally! Using your screen or interactive whiteboard, you'll be able to see and learn all about the topic you've chosen as you explore the zoo live with your education officer.

                All you need is an internet connection and your preferred software to access the video call five minutes before your booked time! The tour will last 50 minutes and you will also have full access to our interactive resources before and after your session to develop and embed your learning through games and activities.

                You do not need a webcam or a microphone but if you do, it's always lovely to see and interact even more via them!

                Find out more about each tour

                What's involved in a virtual workshop?

                Virtual workshops involve different types of interactions to our virtual tours. You only need resources for the Native Species workshop and each workshop needs an internet connection and your preferred software to access the video call five minutes before your booked time!

                Running for between 20 to 30 minutes, the workshop will give your learners an insight into the zoo and natural world and ways to act now for conservation.

                Find out more about each workshop

                How do we access the virtual tour or workshop?

                Once you've booked and arranged your date and time with the team, you'll receive two links via email. One is for a quick Tech Check to make sure you will be able to access the virtual session on the device you intend to use before the day of the tour and one is for the session.

                We can use a variety of platforms for virtual tours and workshops including Google Meet, Zoom or Skype for Business, so please let us know your preference in the booking form. If you're using something else, send us an invite once your session has been confirmed.

                How do we access the free supporting resources?

                You can access our resources through ZOOdle, our Zoo Digital Learning Environment. Explore ZOOdle here You can also submit questions and work for feedback if you create a free account.

                All of our resources will work on any device with an internet connection so why not set up your class playing the games and competing on iPads or set team projects as homework?

                How can I book our self-led visit?

                You can book your self-led visit for any day of the school year right up until July 2021 and our resources will be available throughout the year too so that you can build on your tour and/or workshop in the classroom and on-site!

                Your learners and your allotted number of adults can then enter on your booked day any time after 10am and explore. You can also borrow a Teacher Rucksack for the day FOR FREE! The pack includes a tailor-made quiz to match your virtual tour if you've booked one and some exciting biofacts and objects to learn more about our animals and conservation. It will also include all the need-to-know information including toilet stops, lunch spaces, information about our one-way system and a few handy tips.

                Why are there multiple options when I book?

                We've designed our package to give you lots of options to mix and match your sessions, workshops and visits over the year. This enables you to develop the best combination for your learners to build their knowledge over the year, while also supporting them with our interactive online resources to match each session.

                How much are the tours, workshops and self-led visits?

                All of our online supporting resources to match your sessions are free!

                You can also sign up to our mailing list to hear our latest news, including any monthly sales or offers.