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I'm from Africa! Giant African land snails live on the forest floor and in damp places. I’m big & clumsy. It is one of the largest snails in the world! They have a “muscular foot” that helps them move. It releases slime to help it slide about. I’m always hungry. The giant African land snail eats everything from flowers, to seaweed and sometimes even other snails! I love science. Snail slime offers a great result when used on human skin because it moisturises the face and keeps it rejuvenated. My pronouns are 'they'. Giant African land snails are neither male or female.

Next Jane’s Easter Egg EYFS, KS 1. Early Years, First Stage. Ages 1 - 5 DURATION: 45 mins - 55 mins OVERVIEW: This egg-citing storybook egg-stravaganza follows our lead character, Jane, on a chocolate egg hunt. Where is her chocolate egg? Along the way, she asks the farm animals have they seen her chocolate egg? She spies a series of eggs - could they be her chocolate prize? Perhaps they belong to some of ZooLab’s amazing animal team? If they do, we learn to leave them alone and let them hatch out. Using story, rhyme and repetition, we reinforce key messages about sharing, friendship and most importantly protecting nature. We bring this tale to life, adding an extra dimension and sense of excitement through our live animal interaction. Learning Outcomes Based on themes of friendship, sharing, and protecting nature. BOOK NOW You'll get to meet some of these animals: To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Free Printable Resources with every workshop Why learn through storytelling? Using storytelling as a mechanism in teaching involves structuring learning around a narrative. It helps children (and adults) make sense of issues and topics by engaging them in a story, making facts easier to remember and participants more open to learning. ​ The benefits of learning through storytelling does not stop at increasing knowledge of the subject area - storytelling encourages creativity, expands vocabulary, increases attention span and helps to reinforce morals. Meet the gang! Our ZooLab characters are excited to meet you! Meet the animals Get in the know before getting up-close and hands-on Check out our workshops Our educational workshops hit curriculum outcomes Meet the Rangers We've got the best bunch! Which Ranger will visit you?

Springtime EYFS, KS1; Early Years, First Stage. Ages 3 - 7 DURATION: 45 mins - 55 mins ​ OVERVIEW: We demonstrate how our special ZooLab animals deal with the changing of the seasons and what happens in springtime. ​ In turn, we look at how each animal reproduces and prepares for the season ahead. Where possible, our presenters will try and bring you examples of eggs and baby animals. ​ A great way to entertain and educate children at a special time of year! Animals used in this workshop Key Workshop Objectives Discover what happens to animals in Winter and Spring Explore the concept of hibernation Discuss the lifecycles of different animals Encourage listening, participation and imagination Curriculum Outcomes England & Wales Curriculum Outcomes Scotland This workshop includes FREE RESO URCES! Book Now! What is a lifecycle? A life cycle shows the different stages of development for a living thing! From themoment we’re born to the moment we die,we are in a life cycle. From infancy, every living thing on earth grows, slowly going through stages before reaching adulthood and eventually dying. It’s this journey we call a life cycle. ​ Spring is an important session in an animal’s lifecycle. Animals reawaken from hibernation, days are longer and food supply is in abundance. ​ The mating season begins. In the wild, it’s also baby season; many seasonal breeders reproduce during the spring to optimise survival for the next generation. "All the children were able to be actively involved in the session and came out with lots of enthusiasm for the start of our new project on Minibeasts" Name to go here. Customers also booked: Charles Darwin Age X - X KS 2, 3; Second, Third, Fourth Stage. View More Find out more! Climate Cruisader Age X - X KS 2, 3; Second, Third, Fourth Stage. View More Book Now! African Explorer Age X - X KS 2, 3; Second, Third, Fourth Stage. View More Book Now!

Symbiosis KS3, KS4; Third Stage, Fourth Stage. Ages 11 -17 DURATION: 45 mins - 55 mins ​ OVERVIEW: Nature can be downright bizarre! Filled with real-world examples, this workshop focuses on the different ways that animals interact with one another. Pupils will investigate mutualistic, commensalistic and parasitic relationship - from crocodiles and teeth cleaning plover birds, to mind-controlled ants and malaria. Animals used in this workshop Key Workshop Objectives Define symbiosis, parasitism, mutualism and commensalism Compare parasitic relationships and how they differ from predator/prey Explore beneficial relationships between organisms Explain why commensalism is a rare occurrence Curriculum Outcomes England & Wales Curriculum Outcomes Scotland This workshop includes FREE RESO URCES! Book Now! What is symbiosis? ‘Symbiosis’ is a term used to describe any type of long-term, repeated interaction between two different species. ​ The phrase “survival of the fittest” is often used to describe the way species evolve over time. It highlights that only the most successful have offspring, passing on their genes to the next generation. ​ However, by using language like this, it’s easy to assume that all species in an ecosystem are constantly working against each other, and that only the most aggressive or strongest species can survive. ​ While it is true that predators must catch and kill their prey and parasites must take resources away from their hosts, these are only examples of a wide diversity of relationships involving multiple species collectively known as symbiosis. "All the children were able to be actively involved in the session and came out with lots of enthusiasm for the start of our new project on Minibeasts" Name to go here. Customers also booked: Charles Darwin Age X - X KS 2, 3; Second, Third, Fourth Stage. View More Find out more! Climate Cruisader Age X - X KS 2, 3; Second, Third, Fourth Stage. View More Book Now! African Explorer Age X - X KS 2, 3; Second, Third, Fourth Stage. View More Book Now!

Habitats KS 1, 2, 3, 4. First, Second, Third, Fourth Stage. Ages 5- 14 DURATION: 45 mins - 55 mins ​ OVERVIEW: What is a habitat? What types of habitat are there? Why do habitats matter? So many questions answered! ​ ​ZooLab’s Habitat workshop introduces pupils to different habitats from around the world: including 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. Animals used in this workshop Key Workshop Objectives Define what a habitat is Explain the needs of a successful habitat Consider why different animals are best suited to certain habitats Explore different food chains Identify habitats around the world Consider the effectsof habitat change Discuss why animals adapt Curriculum Outcomes England & Wales Curriculum Outcomes Scotland This workshop includes FREE RESO URCES! Book Now! What is a Habitat? In its simplest definition, a habitat is a place where living things reside. Think deserts, rainforests, oceans...the list of Earth’s habitats goes on! ​ Within habitats there are microhabitats - the rainforest has a canopy, forest floor, stream etc. - each of which has its own ecosystem and a variety of creatures that inhabit it. ​ For a habitat to be effective it needs five very important things for its occupants to survive - space, air, food, water and shelter. In order to thrive in particular habitats, living things develop special adaptations. Changing or destroying a habitat can cause devastating effects on the animals and plants which live there. "All the children were able to be actively involved in the session and came out with lots of enthusiasm for the start of our new project on Minibeasts" Name to go here. Customers also booked: Charles Darwin Age X - X KS 2, 3; Second, Third, Fourth Stage. View More Find out more! Climate Cruisader Age X - X KS 2, 3; Second, Third, Fourth Stage. View More Book Now! African Explorer Age X - X KS 2, 3; Second, Third, Fourth Stage. View More Book Now!

Next Zola The Kindhearted Elf EYFS, KS1. Early Years, First Stage. Ages 1 - 5 DURATION: 45 mins - 55 mins ​ OVERVIEW: Join Zola the Elf on a wonderful Christmas adventure as we help her deliver presents to children all over the world. Perfect for an end of term treat. From Africa, to India and through America via Australia, we encounter a variety of fascinating creatures along the way! This is a special, festive workshop that focuses on the themes of selflessness, kindness, friendship and fun. As always, our presenters will attend in full festive costume! Learning Outcomes Seasonal Script – Christmas. Zola travels across all the continents delivering presents to all the animals. Themes of selflessness, kindness, and friendship. BOOK NOW You'll get to meet some of these animals: To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Free Printable Resources with every workshop Why learn through storytelling? Using storytelling as a mechanism in teaching involves structuring learning around a narrative. It helps children (and adults) make sense of issues and topics by engaging them in a story, making facts easier to remember and participants more open to learning. ​ The benefits of learning through storytelling does not stop at increasing knowledge of the subject area - storytelling encourages creativity, expands vocabulary, increases attention span and helps to reinforce morals. Meet the gang! Our ZooLab characters are excited to meet you! Meet the animals Get in the know before getting up-close and hands-on Check out our workshops Our educational workshops hit curriculum outcomes Meet the Rangers We've got the best bunch! Which Ranger will visit you?

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HABITATS What is a habitat? A habitat is a place that an animal lives. It provides the animal with food, water and shelter. There are many different sorts of habitats around the world from forests to grasslands and from mountain slopes to deserts. Different habitats are home to different animals. Types of Habitat A habitat meets all the environmental conditions an animal needs to survive. This includes food, water and other animals of the same species to mate with. There are five major types of habitats: Aquatic Desert Forest Grassland Tundra Aquatic Habitat The aquatic habitat includes the seas and oceans, lakes and rivers, wetlands and marshes, and lagoons and swamps of the world. Basically, anywhere with water! ​ Aquatic habitats include every group of animals, from amphibians, reptiles, and invertebrates to mammals and birds. Desert Habitat Deserts are places that don’t get much rain, and are very dry. They can be either hot places, or cold places. ​ Because deserts don’t have much water, animals that live in the desert are able to conserve water and keep their body temperature at the right level. Both plants and animals have adapted to be able to live in the desert. Forest Habitat There are many different kinds of forests in different climates, but trees are the one thing they have in common! ​ More than half of the world’s animals live in the rainforest. From big animals like Bengal tigers and orangutans to smaller animals like dragonflies, tree frogs, and at least hundreds of species of ants. Many of the plants and animals in the rainforest haven’t even been discovered yet! Grassland Habitat Grassland habitats cover 40% of earth and are made mostly of grasses. Grasslands are also known as prairies, pampas, steppes, and savannas. ​ Grassland ecosystems can support high densities of grazing animals. They are home to many familiar and fascinating species that live in herds, including zebras and antelopes, and the predators that prey on them, like lions and cheetahs. Tundra Habitat Found in the Arctic and on the tops of mountains, Tundra habitats are treeless regions where the climate is cold, windy and has little rainfall. There are relatively few species of plants and animals that live in the harsh conditions of the tundra. They are highly vulnerable to environmental stresses like reduced snow cover and warmer temperatures brought on by global warming. Take our Habitats Quiz!

The Last Present EYFS, KS1. Early Years, First Stage. Ages 3 - 7 ​ ​ DURATION: 45 mins - 55 mins ​ OVERVIEW: Join ZooLab on a festive adventure told through storytelling, rhyme, and animal encounters! ​ In this yuletide story, we join Father Christmas as he searches for the recipient of undelivered presents at the bottom of his sack. As he retraces his route to check everyone has a gift, we visit the homes of our animal friends to see their habitats and how they spend Christmas. ​ The Last Present is an active-learning, story-based workshop for younger children, allowing them to contribute with rhyme and festive cheer. Key Workshop Objectives: Spread Christmas Cheer Identify animals that live in different continents Encourage listening participation and imagination Book Now Animals often used in this workshop: Entertainment Animal requests will be accommodated where possible. Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee attendance. Book Now! Why learn through storytelling? Using storytelling as a mechanism in teaching involves structuring learning around a narrative. It helps children (and adults) make sense of issues and topics by engaging them in a story, making facts easier to remember and participants more open to learning. ​ The benefits of learning through storytelling does not stop at increasing knowledge of the subject area - storytelling encourages creativity, expands vocabulary, increases attention span and helps to reinforce morals. CURRICULUM OUTCOMES ENGLAND CURRICULUM OUTCOMES SCOTLAND Looking for something different? Check out our full range of workshops! More Primary Workshops

African Explorer (EYFS) KS 1, First Stage. Ages 4 - 7 DURATION: 45 mins - 55 mins ​ OVERVIEW: What better way to explore Africa than on a ZooLab safari! A ZooLab Ranger will take you on foot, jeep and kayak around Africa’s varied habitats. ​ On our travels you will learn about the fantastic large creatures found in Africa and meet some smaller creatures that call this continent home. ​ Learn about African habitats and animals, the equator, conserving the rhino and even how to say hello and goodbye in Swahili! Animals used in this workshop Key Workshop Objectives Explore habitats and a series of micro-habitats Identify all 7 continents Compare the characteristics of ZooLab’s animals to those found in Africa Discover issues effecting animals in Africa Encourage listening, participation and imagination Curriculum Outcomes England & Wales Curriculum Outcomes Scotland This workshop includes FREE RESO URCES! Book Now! Why learn through storytelling? Using storytelling as a mechanism in teaching involves structuring learning around a narrative. ​ It helps children (and adults) make sense of issues and topics by engaging them in a story, making facts easier to remember and participants more open to learning. ​ The benefits of learning through storytelling does not stop at increasing knowledge of the subject area - storytelling encourages creativity, expands vocabulary, increases attention span and helps to reinforce morals. "All the children were able to be actively involved in the session and came out with lots of enthusiasm for the start of our new project on Minibeasts" Name to go here. Customers also booked: Charles Darwin Age X - X KS 2, 3; Second, Third, Fourth Stage. View More Find out more! Climate Cruisader Age X - X KS 2, 3; Second, Third, Fourth Stage. View More Book Now! African Explorer Age X - X KS 2, 3; Second, Third, Fourth Stage. View More Book Now!

ZET: ZooLab Environmental Time Machine KS 2, 3; Second Stage, Third Stage. Ages 7 - 14 DURATION: 45 mins - 55 mins ​ OVERVIEW: ZooLab’s new climate workshop joins Z.E.T.; an environmental time machine that travels through time looking at climate data. Z.E.T. addresses topics such as fossil fuels, greenhouse gases, sea ice depletion, rainforest coverage and animal extinctions. Comparing data from different eras allows students to form a direct comparison between human behaviour and climate change. Animals used in this workshop Key Workshop Objectives • To gain an awareness and understanding of the climate crisis • To discover the link between human behaviour and climate change • Recognise that environments can change and this can pose problems to living things • Understand that we all have a social responsibility to make changes Curriculum Outcomes England & Wales Curriculum Outcomes Scotland This workshop includes FREE RESO URCES! Book Now! Why learn about the climate? Climate change is generally defined as a significant variation of average weather conditions such as conditions becoming warmer, wetter, or drier over several decades or more. It’s these longer-term trends that differentiates climate change from natural weather variability. This workshop provides a comprehensive look at the long-term changes in the earth’s atmosphere, oceans, land surfaces, and cryosphere (frozen water systems). Discover what caused these changes and what lessons can we learn from the past and apply to the future to help reverse the climate change process. "All the children were able to be actively involved in the session and came out with lots of enthusiasm for the start of our new project on Minibeasts" Name to go here. Customers also booked: Charles Darwin Age X - X KS 2, 3; Second, Third, Fourth Stage. View More Find out more! Climate Cruisader Age X - X KS 2, 3; Second, Third, Fourth Stage. View More Book Now! African Explorer Age X - X KS 2, 3; Second, Third, Fourth Stage. View More Book Now!

Eleanor Perkins ZooLab Ranger Eleanor joined ZooLab in 2019 and works in Bassetlaw and the surrounding areas. Licence Number: AAL0059 ​ Experience: Eleanor studied animal management at college and then went on to work in zoos and farms around the country. ​ About: "I really loved getting to work with cows and pigs. I love working for ZooLab as I believe environmental education will have a big impact on how we treat the world in the future. My favourite ZooLab animal is my corn snake noodle; he's very calm, patient and he is very good at changing peoples’ perceptions of snakes." ​ Interesting Fact: Eleanor loves adventure and likes to go camping and exploring. She and her tent have visitied most corners of the UK! Previous Next