Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo
School Program Volunteers
Calgary Zoo / Wilder Institute is empowering future educators through environmental literacy. By supporting the integration of environmental literacy into pre-service teacher training, they aim to ensure that new teachers enter the classroom equipped to engage students in critical environmental topics from day one. Through access to high-quality resources, a multi-province educator network, and opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange, they foster a community committed to continuous learning. Their goal is to inspire lifelong learning in educators while promoting innovation and growth in environmental education practices.
What's Involved
Programs will vary based on the bookings of schools. Most programs will be full day, with support in either the morning or afternoon. The goal of School Programs is to connect students to the natural world and to inspire them to be conservation stewards. We do this through curricular-connected programs that are designed to be engaging, hands-on, and unique to the Zoo. We use our extensive collection of biofacts, costumes, posters and tours on grounds to experience living animals and plants. Please visit School Programs Overview - Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo for details on each program.
Requirements
- Pre-service teachers need a current Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening (issued after May 1 of the current academic year). Students who do not already have a police check should begin this process online with their local Police station as soon as possible as police checks often take 4-6 weeks to process. Please see the Field Experience Police Information Requirement webpage for more information on how to request a PIC-VS.
- The ability to work in-person and outdoors
Training Materials
- Completion of virtual modules about the Zoo and Wilder Conservation 101 (may include a half day orientation, depending on the program)
- An orientation to the school programs from the Conservation Education Team
In-Person Volunteer Opportunities
On-Site Programs & In-School Programs
Programs developed and taught by passionate and skilled conservation educators to engage in learning experiences connected to our unique setting, our animal colleagues and their conspecifics, and our global conservation programs. Make connections that enhance Alberta Education curricular outcomes in subjects such as science, social studies, and outdoor education. Inspire compassion and action for wildlife and wild places.
- Kindergarten to Grade 12
Online Volunteer Opportunities
Virtual School Programs
We deliver our Virtual Safari Programs via Zoom. Participants can join our programs on Zoom through their browser. Downloading the Zoom application is not required.
- Kindergarten to Grade 12
Program Learning Outcomes
- Apply a variety of leadership strategies to develop meaningful relationships with the program and its participants
- Articulate how specific experiences contribute to their growth as an educator
- Develop stronger connections to the professional community and specific organizations
- Examine a variety of approaches to teaching and learning in non-traditional educational settings
- Examine the diverse ways children and youth experience and express knowledge, actions, and identities
- Identify specific opportunities for you to contribute to program communities in a positive, professional manner
- Share and receive knowledge regarding teacher education and teaching practice
Co-Curricular Service-Learning Dates
Learn more and register for events through the Werklund Experiential Learning Events list on Elevate.
Fall Semester Timeline
- Fall 2025 Applications Open: August 28, 2025
- Werklund Information Sessions: September 16, 5:00pm (Zoom)
- Fall 2025 Applications Close: October 1, 2025 for smaller programs, larger placement applications are ongoing.
- Fall 2025 Placements Start: early October (program dependent)
- Fall 2025 Placements End: mid-December (program dependent)
Winter Semester Timeline
- Winter 2026 Applications Open: November 14, 2025
- Winter 2026 Information Session: November 18, 5:00 pm (Zoom)
- Winter 2026 Applications Close: Ongoing, program-dependent
- Winter 2026 Placements Start: early January (program dependent)
- Winter 2026 Placements End: mid-March (program dependent)
Experiential Learning Check-In & Reflection Opportunities
All participants in Experiential Learning programs are welcome and encouraged to attend at least two of the check-in & reflection sessions below as part of their program. Reflection is an incredibly important part of experiential learning. It encourages students to consider their experience so far and to adjusted as needed as they go forward through the rest of their program, or into the next step of their career.
Check-In & Reflection Sessions
We've started to all registration for the check-in & reflection sessions on Elevate!
Other Werklund Experiential Learning Events
We have lots of other events and opportunities happening in Werklund Experiential Learning. You can see more information and register through the link below!
Applications for Fall 2025 will open in September!
Interested in applying for a volunteer opportunity?
- Log on to Elevate and go to My Werklund Experiences > Courses/Programs
- Find the Service-Learning program and click Apply
- Complete the Service-Learning Application
This experience has opened our eyes up to the opportunities that exist in our downtown and our more immediate communities for learning about the community as a whole
Grade 6 Teacher