<a href="https://www.cmzoo.org/events/">Past Events</a> › Classes

Ages 1st - 6th grades. Investigate with us as we uncover the mysteries of the animal kingdom. Why do zebras have stripes? How do butterflies migrate without getting lost? Why do gall wasps look like berries? Join us as we answer some of the most debated questions of the wild world. Registration is required.

Ages: Middle and High School students. Come be a wildlife photographer for the day and learn how images can make an impact on global conservation efforts. Registration is required. Online registratino is open.

Ages: Middle and HIgh School students. Learn about the various species of raptors that are in our Colorado backyard. Registration is required. Online registration is open.

Ages 1st - 5th grade. Come soar into the world of flight, feathers, and fascination as we meet some of the coolest birds around! Registration is required. Online registration is open.

Ages 6th - 8th Grades. join us for experiential learning through hands-on engagement. Naked Mole Rats, Axolotls, Walking Stick Bugs, Emus and Tapirs; these animals may seem a bit odd but they are some of the most incredible species on our planet. Come join us for Part 2 at the Zoo as we dive into the lives of some of the strangest animals and their unique adaptations. Registration is required. Online registration is open.

Ages 1st-5th grade. Explore the Rocky Mountains and discover what animals live right in our backyard! We will discuss local flora and fauna to discover how our closest ecosystem operates. Meet one of our local animal heroes up close as we learn how we can better protect the environment around us. Registration is required. Online registration is open.

Ages 6th-8th Grade. Join us at the Zoo as we learn about what defines an animal as a predator or prey species. We'll discuss unique predator-prey interactions and the balance they help keep within ecosystems. Through hands-on activities and observing resident animals around the Zoo we’ll learn about the different adaptations that allow certain predator and prey species to be so successful. Registration is required. Online registration is open.

Ages 1st-5th grade. Animals are experts when it comes to building with raw materials! Join us as we learn about nature’s construction workers and their purpose in our environment. We will even try our hand at building with natural materials. Registration is required. Online registration is open.

Ages 6th-8th grade. Many animals play a crucial role in their habitats but did you know that some species can change their entire ecosystems? Join us at CMZ as we delve into the world of Ecosystem Engineers. Through hands-on activities and observing resident animals we’ll learn how certain species can alter entire landscapes. Registration is required. Online registration is open.

Ages 1st-5th grade. Journey with us as we discover some of the strangest animals at the Zoo and their unique adaptations. We will meet a few of the animals up close along the way and create our own uniquely built creature. Registration is required. Online registration is open.

What makes a good habitat for a wild animal? How do we protect the animal habitats around us? Have you ever made a habitat for an animal? Journey with us as we discover what wild animals need in their wild places and practice making the perfect animal habitat of your own for one of our smallest Zoo creatures. Registration is required.

Ages 6th-8th grade. Reptiles are some of the oldest animals on our planet, many surviving through the era of dinosaurs! Some species, such as crocodilians, still look the same as they did millions of years ago but what makes these animals so resilient? Join us at CMZ as we learn about what makes these misunderstood creatures so amazing. We’ll study their unique adaptations and possibly even meet some of our very own residents here at the Zoo. Registration is required. Online registration is open.

Ages: Middle School & High School. Join us on a unique workshop that will take you into the Zoo after hours to learn all about nocturnal animals. We’ll take an evening tour through the zoo to learn all about our animals that prefer the night and even meet a nocturnal ambassador. *Registration will close 48 hours prior to the start of this program. Registration is required.

Ages: Middle and High School. Location: Cheyenne Mountain State Park. Come explore one of Colorado Springs’ unique gems in Cheyenne Mountain State Park and learn how to capture its true beauty. Through this hands-on workshop, participants will learn the basics of photographing natural spaces and try their hand at some new techniques. Whether it’s focusing on a small portion of a plant or capturing an entire landscape, we will learn to perfect the different methodologies of outdoor photography. Registration is required.

Ages: Elementary or Middle School. Lions, Tigers…Pallas’ Cat? Join us as we study one of the world’s most fearsome predator, cats! From felines as small as house cats to those that weigh over 600 pounds, we’ll learn about many different feline families around the world. Together we will observe resident species at the Zoo and learn about their adaptations that make them the apex predators of their environments. Registration is required.

Ages: High School. It can be easy to tell how someone is feeling based on their body language and facial expressions, but what about an Orangutan or Gorilla? Join zoo staff as we learn what it takes for professionals in the zoological field to better understand the animals they work with. In this first session of our “Explorations of Ethology” series we’ll dive into the techniques and strategies of reading primate behavior and learn why understanding animal behavior is essential to their care. Registration is required.

Ages: Elementary or Middle School. Come learn about the world’s most wonderful weasels! Mustelids, as the weasel family is taxonomically known, boasts some of our planet’s most unique and tough creatures, such as Badgers, Otters, and Ferrets. Join us as we learn what it takes to be a mighty mustelid and study the lives of these often misunderstood animals. Registration is required.

Families of all ages. Location - Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Nature Trail. Let imagination be your guide in this fort building adventure! Join zoo staff as we explore our very own nature trail and seek out the perfect spots to construct our forts. Together we will use natural materials to create unique designs and most importantly have fun in the outdoors. Bring your creative imagination and get ready to build! Registration is required and closes 48 hours before the event.

Ages: Middle School. Location - Fountain Creek Nature Center. Join us for a field trip to Fountain Creek Nature Center as we delve into the world of our native wildlife. Participate in a biodiversity study along with Zoo staff where we will seek out and observe the abundance of wild animals in one of our local parks. Registration is required.

Ages: 6th - 12th grades. Though we may not see them or hear them, they are all around us. With superpower-like adaptations, they rule the night skies. Join us at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo as we learn about the incredible lives of owls! Through hands-on activities and up-close experiences, we will learn what makes these creatures some of the most skilled hunters on our planet.Registration is required.

Ages: Elementary or Middle School. Insects are some of the most misunderstood creatures in our world though they are some of the most beneficial. Come join us at the Zoo as we break down the misconceptions of insects and show you how amazing they truly are through some up-close encounters. Registration is required.