Emirates Park Zoo & Resort is expanding its long-standing educational programmes for schools, drawing on more than a decade of experience hosting students and educators.

As an ADEK-approved school trip destination, the zoo offers curriculum-aligned experiences that complement classroom learning through direct observation, educator-led sessions and hands-on engagement with wildlife.

Its programmes cover biodiversity, ecosystems, animal behaviour, pollinators, rainforest ecosystems, endangered species and desert wildlife.

Through encounters with animals and their habitats, students can connect academic concepts with practical examples and explore the importance of conservation.

“Learning shouldn't stop at the classroom door,” said Dr. Walid Shaaban, Group CEO, Emirates Park Zoo & Resort. “For more than a decade, we have welcomed school groups and worked with educators to create opportunities for students to experience what they learn about in a real-world environment. When a student sees an animal's adaptation in front of them or understands how a species contributes to a wider ecosystem, a classroom concept becomes something they can observe and experience. That connection is at the heart of our approach to school education.”

The zoo said the programmes are designed to reinforce learning taking place in schools, while giving students opportunities to observe animal behaviour, explore ecosystems and develop greater awareness of biodiversity and conservation.

The impact can extend beyond individual school visits, with some former students returning years later as volunteers after developing an interest in wildlife and environmental issues.

“We've seen students come back years later, not simply as visitors, but as volunteers, because something about their first experience at the zoo stayed with them,” added Mr. Waleed. “For us, that is one of the most meaningful outcomes of our education programmes. It shows how an early connection with wildlife can develop into a lasting interest in conservation and environmental responsibility.”

Emirates Park Zoo & Resort said it will continue developing its education offering to provide experiential learning that complements formal curricula and supports sustainability, environmental awareness and conservation among younger generations in the UAE.

Through continued engagement with schools, educators and students, the zoo aims to make wildlife education accessible and memorable while encouraging students to understand the role they can play in protecting the natural world. -TradeArabia News Service