The Columbus Zoo’s dedicated education team knows where learning lives.
It starts in classrooms across Central Ohio.
In school buses filled with anticipation.
In lesson plans that stretch beyond four walls and into the natural world.
Learning about wildlife goes beyond a single program or a one-time visit to the Zoo…It’s a partnership with the educators themselves. One that connects students, teachers, families, and communities to wildlife, conservation, and real-world learning experiences.
If you’ve ever wondered how the Columbus Zoo supports local schools, field trips, camps, and educators in Central Ohio, you’re in the right place.
Sowing the CEEDs
Meet our Conservation Education and Engagement Department (CEED)!
The Zoo’s CEED team works alongside schools and families to turn curiosity into connection. Whether it’s a first field trip, a summer camp memory, or a classroom partnership, these experiences are designed to help learners of all ages see their place in the natural world.
From early childhood to high school and beyond, the programs that CEED manages are built to support Ohio learning standards while sparking something deeper… a sense of responsibility for wildlife and wild places.
Learning from Educators, for Educators
Behind every great student experience is an educator who made it possible.
That’s why the Zoo works directly with teachers through its Teacher Advisory Council at the Columbus Zoo, a collaborative group that helps shape programs, resources, and experiences offered to schools.
Through ongoing feedback and shared expertise, this partnership ensures that Zoo-based learning aligns with real classroom needs, supports curriculum goals, and remains meaningful for both students and educators.
You can explore additional tools, field trip opportunities, and classroom resources on the Zoo’s Educator Resources at the Columbus Zoo.
Why it Matters: Education, Conservation, and Community
When students connect with wildlife, something shifts.
Science becomes personal.
Conservation becomes actionable.
The future feels like something they can shape.
Through school partnerships, field trips, camps, and educator collaboration, the Columbus Zoo’s Education team is helping build a community that understands and cares about the natural world.
And that matters… not just for today’s students, but for the future of wildlife everywhere.
Celebrating Educators, Every Day
Great teachers create the moments that stick… the spark of understanding, the confidence to ask questions, the excitement of discovering something new.
While there are moments set aside each year to recognize educators, their impact reaches far beyond a single day or week. It shows up in every student who feels seen, supported, and inspired to keep learning.
At the Columbus Zoo, we’re grateful to partner with educators who bring learning to life in classrooms across Central Ohio and beyond.
Stay Connected with Learning Opportunities at the Zoo
Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, teacher, or community member, there are so many ways to connect with educational experiences at the Columbus Zoo.
From school programs and field trips to camps and educator resources, every opportunity is designed to make learning meaningful, memorable, and rooted in real-world impact.
Explore what’s available and start planning your next experience: Columbus Zoo Education Programs.
Because sometimes, the most important lessons happen when we step outside, look a little closer, and discover just how connected we all are.
Learn at the Zoo Bring the Zoo to You Main Education Page
