Primary education

Ideal for larger groups. Our team game-based session challenges learners to explore the issues affecting wildlife and habitats across the globe as the explore the work of our wildlife conservation charity.

Availability: Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park

Lesson duration: 50 minutes

Maximum class size: 180

Curriculum links:
SCN 1-02a
SCN 1-20a
HWB 1-12a
SOC 1-08a
LIT 1-02a
LIT 1-07a

Learning for sustainability goals:
3. Good Health and Wellbeing
7. Affordable and Clean Energy
12. Responsible Consumption and Production
13. Climate Action
14. Life below water
15. Life on land
17. Partnership for the Goals

Explore the habitats, adaptations and behaviours of one of our most iconic animals - penguins! This active session includes exploring amazing biofacts, mimicking unique behaviours and a visit to Penguins Rock where you can meet our amazing penguins face-to-face.

Availability: Edinburgh Zoo

Length of lesson: 45 minutes

Format: Onsite walking tour

Maximum class size: 33

Curriculum links:
SCN 1-01a
SOC 1-12a
SOC 1-08a
LIT 1-04a
LIT 1-02a/ENG 1-03a
LIT 1-09a
LIT 1-10a
MNU 1-11a

Learning for sustainability goals:
3. Good health and wellbeing
12. Responsible consumption and production
13. Climate action
14. Life below water
15. Life on land

We can create custom tours that fit a wide range of learning contexts including learning for sustainability, numeracy, life on our planet, rainforests and other habitats. Please email education@rzss.org.uk to discuss how our expert team can meet the needs of your learners!

Availability: Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park

Duration of lesson: 50 minutes

Format: Onsite

Maximum class size: 33

Curriculum links:
Dependent on request

Learning for sustainability goals:
3. Good health and wellbeing
15. Life on land

Join our discovery and learning team on a journey to our wildlife garden and learn about native animals big and small. Find out more about why different habitats are important and how they are all interconnected. Explore our wildlife garden and have a go at finding and identifying some wee beasties in the garden's different habitats!

Availability: Highland Wildlife Park

Length of lesson: 120 minutes

Format: Onsite walking tour and classroom based

Maximum class size: 33

Curriculum links:
SCN 1-01a
SCN 1-02a
SOC 1-13b
HWB 1-19a
LIT 1-02a
LIT 1-04a

Learning for sustainability goals:
3. Good health and wellbeing
11. Sustainable cities and communities
15. Life on land

Join us on a virtual adventure with our animals that live at the extremes of our planet. Meet our penguins at Edinburgh Zoo and polar bears at Highland Wildlife Park and learn about their amazing cold-weather adaptations and the ways you can help protect them. 

Format: Virtual

Duration of lesson: 50 minutes

Curriculum links:
SCN 1-01a
SOC 1-12a
SOC 1-08a
LIT 1-04a
LIT 1-02a/ENG 1-03a
LIT 1-09a
LIT 1-10a
MNU 1-11a 

Learning for sustainability goals:
3. Good health and wellbeing
12. Responsible consumption and production
13. Climate action
14. Life below water
15. Life on land

Explore the habitats, adaptation and behaviours of one of our most iconic animals - polar bears! This active session includes exploring amazing biofacts, mimicking unique behaviours and a very special visit to our polar bears.

Availability: Highland Wildlife Park

Length of lesson: 45 minutes

Format: Onsite walking tour and classroom based

Maximum class size: 33

Curriculum links:
SCN 1-01a
SOC 1-12a
SOC 1-08a
LIT 1-04a
LIT 1-02a/ENG 1-03a
LIT 1-09a
LIT 1-10a
MNU 1-11a

Learning for sustainability goals:
3. Good health and wellbeing
12. Responsible consumption and production
13. Climate action
14. Life below water
15. Life on land

A tour-based session exploring the issues facing our most vulnerable species and habitats. Come and meet some of our amazing animal ambassadors as we share their stories and the steps we can take towards a more sustainable future.

Availability: Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park

Length of lesson: 50 minutes

Format: Virtual/On-site walking tour

Maximum class size: 33

Curriculum links:   
SCN 1-01a    
SCN 1-20a    
SOC 1-08a    
SOC 1-12b  
MNU 1-11a    
HWB 1-19a    
HWB 1-20a    
LIT 1-02a    
LIT 1-07a 

Learning for sustainability goals: 
3. Good Health and Wellbeing 
7. Affordable and Clean Energy 
12. Responsible Consumption and Production 
13. Climate Action 
14. Life below water 
15. Life on land 
17. Partnership for the Goals

This interactive tour of our drive-through areas includes an introduction to living and non-living things and visiting a range of animals. Building a connection to nature and understanding of the variety of life, through identifying similarities and differences.  

Availability: Highland Wildlife Park

Length of lesson: 50 minutes

Maximum class size: Bus capacity

Curriculum links: 
SCN 1-01a 
SCN 1-02a 
LIT 1-01c   
LIT 1-04a   
LIT 1-09b/1-31a   
LIT 1-07a/1-16a   
ENG 1-17a 

Learning for sustainability goals:

3. Good Health and Wellbeing
13. Climate action
15. Life on land

How long is a a sun bear's tongue? Why can't penguins fly? How many times a week does a sloth poo? 

Take the time to meet our team virtually and get the answers to those questions and anything else your learners want to know about our animals and habitats as well as the work of our wildlife conservation charity.

Availability: Virtual

Duration of lesson: 50 minutes

Maximum Class Size: No limit

Curriculum links: 
SCN 1-01a 
SCN 1-20a 
SOC 1-13b 
SOC 1-15a 
LIT 1-07a 
LIT 1-04a 
LIT 1-02a 
CfE Career Education Standards 3-18 

Learning for sustainability goals:
3. Good Health and Wellbeing
15. Life on land

Join us on a journey through our zoo to explore the exciting world of animal reproduction. Compare and contrast the changes our animals experience throughout their lifecycle with our own experiences of living and growing. This session takes a scientific and nurturing approach, whilst we discuss the importance of sexual maturity and reproduction for all animal life.

This session is specifically aligned to RSHP curriculum content and Health and Wellbeing E+O's.

Availability: Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park

Length of lesson: 110 minutes

Maximum class size: 33

Curriculum links:
SCN 2-14a
SCN 3-14a
HWB 2-47a
HWB 2-48a
HWB 2-50a
HWB 2-51a

Learning for sustainability goals:
3. Good Health and Wellbeing
15. Life on Land

A tour-based session exploring the issues facing our most vulnerable species and habitats. Come and meet some of our amazing animal ambassadors as we share their stories and the steps we can take towards a more sustainable future.

Availability: Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park

Length of lesson: 50 minutes

Format: Virtual/On-site walking tour

Maximum class size: 33

Curriculum links:   
SCN 2-01a 
SCN 2-14a 
SCN 2-20a 
SOC 2-08a 
SOC 2-12b 
MNU 2-11a 
HWB 2-19a 
HWB 2-20a 
LIT 2-02a 
LIT 2-04a 
LIT 2-07a 

Learning for sustainability goals: 
3. Good Health and Wellbeing
7. Affordable and Clean Energy
12. Responsible Consumption and Production
13. Climate Action
14. Life below water
15. Life on land
17. Partnership for the Goals

Ideal for larger groups. Our team game-based session challenges learners to explore the issues affecting wildlife and habitats across the globe as the explore the work of our wildlife conservation charity.

Availability: Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park

Lesson duration: 50 minutes

Maximum class size: 180

Curriculum links:
SCN 2-01a  
SCN 2-20b  
SOC 2-08a​ 
​​LIT 2-02a  
​LIT 2-05a  

Learning for sustainability goals:
3. Good Health and Wellbeing
7. Affordable and Clean Energy
12. Responsible Consumption and Production
13. Climate Action
14. Life below water
15. Life on land
17. Partnership for the Goals

Face off in teams in our virtual quiz, featuring a guided tour of some of our most iconic animals. Answer a series of challenging questions as you learn about our animal ambassadors, threats facing the natural world and what our charity and you can do to help!

Availability: Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park

Format: Virtual

Length of lesson: 50 minutes

Maximum class size: 180

Curriculum links:
SCN 2-01a  
SCN 2-20b  
SOC 2-08a​ 
​​LIT 2-02a  
​LIT 2-05a  

Learning for sustainability goals:
3. Good Health and Wellbeing
7. Affordable and Clean Energy
12. Responsible Consumption and Production
13. Climate Action
14. Life below water
15. Life on land
17. Partnership for the Goals

Join our discovery and learning team on a journey to our wildlife garden and learn about native animals big and small. Find out more about why different habitats are important and how they are all interconnected. Explore our wildlife garden and have a go at finding and identifying some wee beasties in the garden's different habitats!

Availability: Highland Wildlife Park

Length of lesson: 120 minutes

Format: Onsite walking tour and classroom based

Maximum class size: 33

Curriculum links:
SCN 2-01a
SCN 2-02a
SCN 2-14a
HWB 2-19a
LIT 2-02a
LIT 2-04a

Learning for sustainability goals:
3. Good Health and Wellbeing
11. Sustainable cities and communities
15. Life on land

Allow us to take you around our gateway sites as we discuss the variety of amazing roles within RZSS. This unique tour allows learners to engage with our specialist teams and discuss the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to support our mission, discuss roles and potential career pathways.

Availability: Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park

Duration of lesson: 50 minutes

Format: Walking tour

Maximum class size: 33

Curriculum links:
HWB 2-20a 
TCH 2-03a 
LIT 2-02a  
​LIT 2-05a  
CfE Career Education Standards 3-18 

Learning for sustainability goals:
3. Good Health and Wellbeing
4. Quaility Education
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
10. Reduced Inequalities

This interactive tour of our drive-through areas includes an introduction to living and non-living things and visiting a range of animals. Building a connection to nature and understanding of the variety of life, through identifying similarities and differences.  

Curriculum links: 
SCN 2-01a 
LIT 2-01c   
LIT 2-04a   
LIT 2-09b/2-31a   
LIT 2-07a/2-16a   
ENG 2-17a 

Learning for sustainability goals: 
3. Good Health and Wellbeing 
13. Climate action 
15. Life on land

How long is a a sun bear's tongue? Why can't penguins fly? How many times a week does a sloth poo?

Take the time to meet our team virtually and get the answers to those questions and anything else your learners want to know about our animals and habitats as well as the work of our wildlife conservation charity.

Availability: Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park

Lesson duration: 50 minutes

Maximum class size: 180

Curriculum links:
SCN 2-01a
SCN 2-20a
SOC 2-15a
LIT 2-07a
LIT 2-04a
LIT 2-02a
CfE Career Education Standards 3-18 

Learning for sustainability goals:
3. Good Health and Wellbeing
15. Life on land

Explore the world of work with our virtual tour of the zoo, exploring our grounds and enclosures whilst considering the variety of amazing roles needed at to support our wildlife conservation charity.

Availability: Virtual

Duration of lesson: 50 minutes

Curriculum links:
HWB 2-20a 
TCH 2-03a 
LIT 2-02a  
​LIT 2-05a  
CfE Career Education Standards 3-18 

Learning for sustainability goals:
3. Good Health and Wellbeing
4. Quality Education
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
10. Reduced Inequalities

Join us on a virtual adventure, with our animals that live at the extremes of our planet. This experience allows visits to meet our penguins in Edinburgh and polar bears at Highland Wildlife Park and at the same time learn about their amazing adaptations and how we can help protect them in the wild.

Availability: Virtual

Duration of lesson: 50 minutes

Curriculum links:
SCN 2-01a
SCN 2-14a
SCN 2-20a
SOC 2-15a
LIT 2-07a
LIT 2-04a
LIT 2-02a
MNU 2-11a

Learning for sustainability goals:
3. Good Health and Wellbeing
12. Responsible Consumption and Production
13. Climate Action
14. Life below water
15. Life on land

Is Scotland's landscape truly wild? Where have we come from, and most importantly where are we going? Discover more about the species that lived in Scotland from the ice age right up to present day, and the learn how our human influence is shaping their future.

Availability:  Highland Wildlife Park

Duration of lesson: 50 minutes

Maximum class size: 33

Curriculum links: 
SCN 2-01a 
SCN 2-20a 
SOC 2-03a 
SOC 2-06a 
SOC2-08a 
SOC 2-08b 
SOC 2-10a 
LIT 2-01a 
LIT 2-02a 
LIT 2-04a 
LIT 2-06a 
LIT 2-07a 
LIT 2-10a

Learning for sustainability goals:
3. Good Health and Wellbeing
4. Quality Education
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
12. Responsbile Consumption and Production
15. Life on land

We can create custom tours that fit a wide range of learning contexts including learning for sustainability, numeracy, life on our planet, rainforests and other habitats. Please email education@rzss.org.uk to discuss how our expert team can meet the needs of your learners!

Age suitability: Any

Availability: Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park

Duration of lesson: 50 minutes

Format: Onsite

Maximum class size: 33

Curriculum links:
Dependent on request

Learning for sustainability goals:
3. Good health and wellbeing
15. Life on land