Education Wildlife Education

The Miami Museum of Science's Bird of Prey Center brings you WOW! - Wildlife Outreach Wonders! These hands-on, educational programs use live animals to teach students about Florida's unique, fragile environment. Our wildlife specialists will come to your classroom, community center, auditorium or other location to teach kids about Florida wildlife, their role in our environment and what humans can do to help them. Programs can be tailored to suit any age group.

For those who can't break away from the school, now we also offer Virtual Wildlife experiences via videoconferencing in a program entitled, "When Animals Talk."

W.O.W. Program Choices:

Raptors & Reptiles Combo
We'll bring a bird of prey and a selection of native and exotic reptiles, such as snakes, lizards, alligators, crocodiles, turtles and tortoises. We'll talk about how each is unique and yet interdependent. We provide time for questions and answers, and hands-on opportunities with the reptiles. Tailored to suit any age group, this program covers:

  • Animals' roles in the environment
  • Habitat destruction
  • Pesticide poisoning
  • Wildlife conservation

One-hour program for up to 75 students in the classroom ($125) or in an auditorium ($200). Call Denise to reserve your space, (305) 646-4245, or send an email.


Dangerous Animals & Plants
Do you know what to do if confronted by a venomous snake? What would you do if you were bitten or stung by a venomous animal? Poisonous, venomous. . .are they the same? What about spiders, scorpions and insects. . . what's the difference? Learn to be respectful of, not terrified by, dangerous animals. One-hour program for up to 75 students in the classroom ($125). Call Denise to reserve your space, (305) 646-4245, or send her an email.

Florida Birds of Prey
What's a raptor? Why are some raptor populations declining? What can you do to help? For the class that wants to help wildlife, this is the program. As part of this program, your class is also invited to "adopt" a bird of prey in the Museum's Wildlife Center to help with its care and rehabilitation for a year. Barn, screech and burrowing owls, ospreys, bald eagles and crested caracaras are among the many birds of prey available for adoption. One-hour program for up to 75 students or less in the classroom ($150); with the Bald Eagle ($175) or in an auditorium ($250). Call Denise to reserve your space, (305) 646-4245, or send her an email.

Alligators & Crocodiles: The Great Prehistoric Monsters of Florida!
So why do we need them? Alligators and crocodiles are the largest living reptiles. They have always inspired a mixture of fascination and fear. Their size and powerful jaws, along with the swamps and wetlands they inhabit, have fueled many tales, legends and a great deal of misinformation.

Alligators are an important part of the ecosystem and thus regarded by many as a "keystone" species. They play an important role in the survival of many species in the Everglades.

This exciting program includes a live alligator and crocodile, pictures and sounds of bull alligators in the wild AND EVERYTHING YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT ALLIGATORS AND CROCODILES. The differences between the alligator and crocodile, their habitat, diet, growth, population sizes, behavior and nesting are also covered.

One-hour program for up to 75 students in the classroom ($125). Call Denise to reserve your space: (305) 646-4245

We will answer questions such as:

  • Why are these dangerous creatures so important?
  • What is the difference between an alligator and crocodile?
  • What do their nests look like?
  • How many babies do they have?
  • What do they eat?
  • What are gator holes and why are they important?
  • What if I see alligators in the canal behind my house?
  • Do they eat people?
  • Why can't I feed alligators?
  • What should I do if I am chased by an alligator?
  • Do they sleep all the time?
  • How fast can they run?
  • Do alligators make good pets?
  • How can I be gator safe?

Everglades Experience
Bring the Everglades to life in your classroom! The Museum has teamed up with the National Audubon Society for this program which covers Everglades habitats, the importance of water in this unique wetland and its relationship to wildlife and our own essential human needs. Hands-on activities are combined with live Everglades animals such as juvenile alligators, snakes, turtles and birds of prey. The class size is limited to 35 students per session. For Pre-K, Kindergarten and 1st grade, a half-hour program is offered with a minimum of two sessions upon booking ($130 total). For grades 2 and 3, a one-hour program is offered ($200) and Grades 4 through 12 a two-hour program is available ($300). Call Denise to reserve your space, (305) 646-4245, or send her an email.

Owls, Whooo?
Do you know which is the largest owl in Florida? Did you know that most owls don't whooo? Do you know what owls' feathers are specially designed for? Learn all about the five most common owls found in Florida, and even in our own backyards.

One-hour program for up to 75 students in the classroom ($150).Call Denise to reserve your space, (305) 646-4245, or send her an email.

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