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WILD ABOUT LEARNING

See our 2023–2024 school year discounts.

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School Assemblies

Wildmind educational programs will bring science and environmental literacy alive in your classroom. Your students will learn to think like scientists, appreciate our connectivity with animals, the environment and each other, while having fun learning science!

Let us help you inspire their natural curiosities, share with them the wild animals’ stories of survival and have them experience awe in our wild animals’ presence. Our School Assembly Programs are aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Your students will begin to discover a fascinating living world around them and learn important life science concepts. Our wild animals enter your students’ minds through their hearts, to teach them the fundamentals of science, the environment and how to become responsible stewards as young adults.

Click on the link to download a copy of our brochure.

red fox

Animals of the Americas

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Animals of the Americas

North, Central and South America contain some of the world’s most amazing animals and habitats. Discover how these animals survive and prosper through their connections with other living things, and they help to sustain life on our planet.

Our Teachers | Boa, Harris hawk, Raven, Skunk, Tamandua

tamandua sleeping on tree branch

Animals of the Rainforest

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Spirit of the Rainforest

Transport your school to some of the most wondrous rainforests of the world. Students will see unusual and awe-inspiring animals and come to better understand the tropical rainforest and its plants, wildlife and people.

Our Teachers | Armadillo, Coendou, Macaw, Skink, Spectacled owl

*Each animal’s welfare is our primary concern. At times there may be changes to a program lineup.

porcupine in green pine needles

Our Native Wildlife

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Our Native Wildlife

Some of the same species of wildlife can be found from California to Connecticut, Alaska to Arkansas and nearly every state in between. These intriguing animals can live in a variety of ecosystems throughout different habitats across the United States. Your students will gain insight into the adaptations and behaviors that enable these ecologically important animals to survive and do their jobs.

Virtual presentations | We can mention your state during the presentation so the students appreciate these wild neighbors. We can also substitute a different native wild teacher if one of these ambassadors is not indigenous to your state.

Our Teachers | Grey fox, Hawk, Raccoon, Tortoise, Vulture

serval in tall dry grass

Predators and Prey

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Predators and their Prey

These incredible animals from around the world offer a fascinating way for your students to learn science. The predator-prey relationship is key to understanding the balance of nature and the importance of biodiversity and gives us an appreciation of the vital role predators play in healthy ecosystems.

NOTE: indoors only

Our Teachers | Augur buzzard, Falcon, Kingsnake, Opossum, Serval

Programs are partially underwritten by

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Cost and Length

  • It is most effective to group your students by grade level
  • An assembly lasts about 45 minutes
  • As experienced educators, we adapt our programs to meet the specific ages and grade levels of each audience.

New! Virtual Assemblies

We offer a virtual version of these 5-animal outreach assembly programs, up to three grades at a time. Since we do not have the time and costs associated with travel and having to set up at each location, we are passing the savings to you:

$550

First/single assembly

$450

Second assembly
immediately after the first

$450

First/single virtual assembly

$400

Second virtual assembly, immediately after the first

$375

Third virtual assembly, and each additional program

Distance-Learning Science Classroom

Solutionary project-based units that embed scientific practices and skills, content and storyline-based curriculum that the NGSS promotes.

Elementary (3rd–5th grades) and Middle School (6th–8th grades) units now available. High school units coming in fall semester, 2021.

Since piloted in 2017, students experience grade-appropriate science units that are specifically designed for classroom instruction, integrating multiple weeks of lessons for the teachers to facilitate learning goals in the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and similar standards-based science frameworks.

Each unit begins when WIldmind educators and animals “visit” your classroom on the first day of the unit via a live, interactive videoconference. This helps engage and immerse your students in a learning experience that focuses on a real-world environmental issue. The opportunity to see these animals—up close on a smart board in their classroom or their computer at home—provides an optimal setting to learn science and pursue solutions. Your students will learn the science and they will learn to care.

Each unit include online curriculum for the classroom teachers to implement—providing lesson plans, activities, supplemental materials, Common Core links, evaluation critera and support from Wildmind educators throughout the unit. Each lesson connects to NGSS via bundled Performance Expectations (PE) with clear curriculum map to demonstrate alignment to SEPs, CCCs, DCIs and also align with select CCSA-ELA skills and CA EP&C.

Cost and Length

$250

First/single unit

$100

Each additional back-to-back unit to same grade on same day

$395

Introduction to multiple classrooms at one time
  • Science units are for grades 3–8
  • Each unit begins with a 30-minute live videoconference with our instructors and our cool wild animals
  • The online lesson plans and activities can be completed in about two weeks

New!
Virtual Classroom Programs

To meet your time constraints, we now offer shorter 30-minute presentations for your classroom—still aligned with important science standards.

Just as we do in our assemblies, we will help your students to understand about biodiversity and interdependent relationships in nature that keep ecosystems and food webs healthy and balanced. From predators to prey and pollinators to seed dispersers, wild animals have critical roles in nature—their niche—and the adaptations to do those jobs. We will help them to understand our impact on environments and positive choices we can all make.

We can also customize a program, based on your specific classroom curriculum, so please contact us about creating a program just for you.

Cost and Length

$450

each program, 1–2 programs

$425

each program, 3–5 programs

$395

each program, 6+ programs
*Programs, prices and animals are subject to change without notice.
tortoises

Critical Creepy Critters

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Critical Creepy Critters

Our Teachers | Cornsnake, Skink, Tarantula, Tortoise

serval

Pollinators, Predators, & Prey

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Pollinators, Predators, & Prey

Our Teachers | Kinkajou, Opossum, Serval

porcupine

Necessary Native Neighbors

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Necessary Native Neighbors

Our Teachers | Grey Fox, Hawk, Porcupine

tamandua

Fantastic Rainforest Fauna

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Fantastic Rainforest Fauna

Our Teachers | Boa, Spectacled Owl, Tamandua

Summer Programs

During the summer and vacation breaks we offer 6 specially designed programs for the Greater San Francisco Bay Area at camps, libraries, child development centers and summer schools— anywhere you want an exciting science education experience.

The excitement and educational value of seeing these beautiful wild animals is an experience that lasts a lifetime. Whether it is a large or small group, young or old, our programs captivate and enthrall everyone!

All of our programs are age-appropriate, last 40 to 55 minutes and can be held either indoors or outdoors (except Wild World, which is indoors only). Our programs are self-contained so there is little or no preparation required on your part.

Summer Program Fees: Book multiples and receive a discount.

Click on the link to download a copy of our brochure.

Cost and Length

$495

each program, 1–2 programs

$465

each program, 3–5 programs

$425

each program, 6+ programs
*Programs, prices and animals are subject to change without notice.
spectacled owl

Wild World

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Wild World

Take a journey with us into the inner world of wildlife. Learn how the delicate balance of nature is maintained by the predator-prey relationship. Indoor program only.

Our Teachers | Armadillo, Augur Buzzard, Crested Porcupine, Spectacled Owl

scarlet macaw

Wild Rainforest

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Wild Rainforest

These fascinating animals from around the world live throughout the endangered tropical rainforests. Learn about their habitats, lives and their roles in the great web of life.

Our Teachers | Anteater, Coendou, Macaw, Prehensile-Tailed Skink

raccoon and pumpkin

Wild Neighbors

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Wild Neighbors

Discover our amazing animal neighbors who live throughout the hills and valleys of our state. From the elusive red fox to the remarkable peregrine falcon, these wonderful animals are some of nature’s best.

Our Teachers | Harris Hawk, Raccoon, Raven, Tortoise

grey fox

Bay Area Wild

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Bay Area Wild

Beautiful and fascinating wildlife live in the fields and forests surrounding our cities and suburbs. You will gain an insight into the secret lives of these intelligent and ecologically important animals.

Our Teachers | Grey Fox, Kingsnake, Red-Tailed Hawk, Skunk

white possum on orange pumpkins

Wild, Odd & Weird

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Wild, Odd & Weird

This program explores the gentler side of the most misunderstood animals of the wild kingdom. We dispel myths and explore the important roles these animals have in nature’s diverse web of life. Students will learn the significance of all living things even the “creepy” ones.

Our Teachers | Opossum, Tarantula, Vulture, Boa

At-Risk Youth Program

We provide foster youth, at-risk youth, and juvenile-detention-center youth with transformative experiences and activities that build social, emotional, and life skills, while inspiring hope for a successful and positive future.

It is through coming to know our amazing animals and their stories of hardship and recovery that so many of these youth find comfort, valuable life lessons, and optimism.

The teens we work with have a wide range of academic, emotional, and behavioral challenges. Some students run the risk of being expelled from school. Others have struggled with family dysfunction and daily chaos. Each group of students is different, and we tailor the content and activities to best meet the needs of each group. We work closely with the students’ teachers, counselors and staff to align our program with their existing curriculum, treatment and goals.

We make a significant difference in the lives of these underserved youth.

These programs are offered through a collaborative effort between schools and youth agencies. Wildmind does not charge fees for these important at-risk programs. Instead, donors and foundations support this valuable community service.

You may read more about this program and our animals in YES! Magazine.

Program Review

From October 2015 to May 2016, Wildmind’s At-Risk Youth Programs underwent a comprehensive and thorough evaluation review. Public Profit, an experienced youth program evaluation team, completed the study that May. We are extremely pleased with this most encouraging and positive report that clearly states we are making a significant difference in the lives of these deserving young people.
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Community Programs

Everyone loves animals and wholesome fun while discovering the living connections between ourselves and the amazing world around us.

Nature Centers, Museums, Special Community Events and Other Non-Profit Organizations can choose from one of our school or summer wildlife programs or we can customize a presentation to meet a special theme to go along with your current exhibit or educational focus.

We are experienced at reaching all ages and audience sizes. If it is for a small group of twelve, an audience of a few hundred or even thousands of people, it will be an exciting, enriching experience for everyone!

Call for details on price, availability, set-up requirements and appropriate animals for your event.

1.800.244.WILD

“What a wonderful program! The library received so many compliments. [The presenter’s] style with the children was professional and respectful. The rescue and care of the animals was fascinating and informative. I would highly recommend this program to any library, school or camp.”

~Kathleen Munson, Librarian
Santa Rosa Library

Corporate Virtual Programs

Throughout human history, animals have been alongside us, as powerful teachers, guides and companions. And while our civilizations have developed and expanded, animals have had to learn to adapt to unexpected changes and forces beyond their control. So, during times of transformation, whether personal, professional or global, humans can benefit from a few wildLife lessons from the natural world!

In this 60-minute virtual program, Aubrey Vora (Curiosapiens) will introduce you to Wildlife Specialist Michele Durant and a few residents from the Wildmind Animal Sanctuary in Northern California. As we learn about each species and their unique stories, we will also learn about the importance of Adaptability, Empathy and Enrichment for a resilient life.

One-hour virtual session | $2000 donation

Pay it forward (optional) | $500
If you value the work we do, you can help us do it! For an additional $500, you can:

  • Make a one-time tax-deductible donation to Wildmind Science Learning
  • Sponsor a virtual program for a school of your choice
  • Sponsor a team mascot! Cover a portion of the costs of a resident of the Wildmind Animal Sanctuary for 1 year
Please note: This program includes live animals: Luna (Great Horned Owl), Lola (Boa Constrictor), Liana (Tamandua). Animals are subject to change. Our programs are designed to be flexible to prioritize animal welfare.

Corporate Events and Conferences

We believe that protecting and conserving the world’s wildlife and their habitats is essential for the wellbeing of all life on our planet. To accomplish this task, we must help to create a more compassionate, empathetic, and environmentally aware society that is willing to take personal action to support viable solutions. The real change begins within each one of us. The experiences we offer through these transformative educational programs, where animals are the teachers, are based on this core principle.