The National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is proud to partner with the National Head Start Association to bring together resources from seven Smithsonian museums to support initiative and curiosity, language and communication, and exploration and discovery in Head Start classrooms nationwide!
Get a Head Start with the Smithsonian encourages early STEAM learning through play with live virtual field trips to the Zoo and wrap-around activities and resources designed by educators from the National Zoo, the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, the National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of American History, the National Portrait Gallery, the National Postal Museum, and the Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center.
Join Us!
Signing up gets you access to the live program as well as follow-up lessons and resources.
Three Cheers for Trees
October 9, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. ET
In this field trip, children will learn about tree characteristics and their role in the natural and man-made world.
Community Helpers
December 11, 2025, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. ET
In this field trip, children will learn about community helpers, who they are, and how they help take care of a community.
Music and Sound All Around
February 12, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. ET
In this field trip, children will learn about the importance of music and sound for both people and animals. What sounds do animals make and why? What objects can make sounds, and how can you play them to create music?
Big, Small, Let’s Measure Them All
April 9, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. ET
In this field trip, children will practice identifying what is big, medium, and small. In addition, kids will become familiar with other measurement terms such as longer, shorter, taller, bigger, and smaller.
Digital Backpack!
Ready for more FUN resources? Access your digital backpack for more adventures with our Zoo pals, plus Smithsonian treasure activities that are made just for Head Start!
Now On-Demand
Stay tuned as we add our backlog of recordings and resources pages below.
NHSA And The Zoo In The Classroom: Me, You, and Elephants Too!
