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Polly H. Hix Institute for Research and Conservation
A wide variety of educational and conservation-oriented programs at the Indianapolis Zoo are managed under the auspices of the Polly H. Hix Institute for Research and Conservation. The Institute is located in the former Education Center building at the front of the Zoo adjacent to the admission gates, and is headed by Norah Fletchall, Vice President of Conservation and the Marion L. McConnell Fellow.
Fletchall leads a multi-disciplined team of educators, scientists, conservationists, and other Zoo staff to develop and implement a far reaching series of programs that will have a measurable, significant and positive impact on wildlife and wild places around the planet, and help transform the City of Indianapolis into a community that embraces environmental stewardship as a core value. Key among these is the Indianapolis Prize, the world’s leading award for animal conservation, which will next be awarded in 2010.
Indianapolis Zoo is very proud of its ongoing educational programs, online resources, as well as our programs for students, young people and teachers. Take some time to explore the educational offerings of the Zoo and keep checking back as we expand in the future to include curriculums, study guides, and a wealth of other materials for students and teachers.
Field Trips
Every year, thousands of students from throughout Indiana take field trips to the Indianapolis Zoo where school groups learn more about animals from around the world. Learn all the details about how to book your next trip to the Zoo!
Overnight Adventures
Enter a world long kept in the dark - the Zoo at night. Nocturnal Adventures, the Zoo's overnight program, will show you what most Zoo visitors only imagine. Also available is our “Bunk for Badge” overnight programs for brownies and junior girl scouts. Check out your options here!
Zoomobile
 Are you looking for a truly unique experience? If so, schedule a ZooMobile program! With a wonderful assortment of presentation topics from which to choose, the ZooMobile can help you enhance your efforts in environmental education without leaving the classroom, office, or home. The programs offered through the ZooMobile increase knowledge and awareness of wildlife, covering topics such as adaptations, habitats, conservation, behavior, and taxonomy. ZooMobile programs can also cross over to support state academic standards and school curricula, including geography, topography and anthropology. See what the Zoomobile has to offer!
 Zoo Camps
Since the 1970s, our professional staff has been providing children the opportunity to explore the wonders of the Indianapolis Zoo. Each summer, we invite your child to join us for daily in-depth tours of the Zoo and Gardens, hands-on animal interactions, games, songs, creative craft projects, animal shows, and more, at our day camps for children from 5-14. Zoo summer camps are well organized, well supervised and provide interesting, educational activities for the participants. For information, check out this section of our web site.
Distance Learning
Zoos have the power to carry us from the frozen tundra of Antarctica to the deepest jungles of Africa. With a Distance Learning program, students can reach across the miles for an amazing learning experience. The Indianapolis Zoo invites teachers to connect with that power right in your own classroom. To learn how, go here for all the information.
Teacher Resources
Designed by Zoo staff to enhance students' visits, our educational materials summarize biome concepts and present information about the Zoo's animal collection and the major exhibit components. The Zoo furnishes educators with a diverse array of materials for application in the classroom. Resource materials include educational kits available on loan, along with curriculum guides, and activity packets that can be purchased. For more information or to reserve these resource materials, call (317) 630-2000 Monday through Friday, 9am-4pm. To see our list of available materials, check this section..
Scout Programs
Looking for Scout activities? Check out what the Zoo has to offer. Our Overnight Adventures are a fun way to "camp out" while learning about wildlife and the Zoo. The Bunk for a Badge program is designed to allow Brownies and Juniors to earn a badge while spending the night at the Zoo.
 Project Elephant
Want to learn all about African elephants? Check out this unique part of the web site, which is made possible by Cinergy. You can see the Indianapolis Zoo's elephant herd, plus learn all about where elephants live, what they eat, how they look, and much, much more. Learn about how the Indianapolis Zoo's research in elephant reproduction is helping with conservation of the world's largest land mammal.
Read the Zoo
"Read the Zoo" is a cooperative reading incentive program between the Indianapolis Zoological Society and the Indianapolis Star's "Partnership for Young Readers" program designed to motivate kindergarten through third-grade students to read non-fiction books and newspaper articles about animals. Teachers may register their students for this expanded 20-week program by calling the educational services office of the Indianapolis Star at (317) 444-4431 or (800) 633-9431. For more information on how students can get involved with "Read the Zoo," check out this section.
ZooTeens
Becoming a ZooTeen is an ideal way to learn about the education and experience requirements for future employment with a zoological institution. Each year the Indianapolis Zoo recruits students aged 14-18 to work as ZooTeens during the summer months. These students gain valuable first-hand experience working with people, animals and plants throughout the Zoo grounds. Learn how you can become a ZooTeen!
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