Teacher Workshop Overview

Teacher Workshops in Conservation Science have three main objectives: to provide a collaborative environment for educators to weave conservation themes into their school community, to provide replicable, relevant, Next Generation Science Standards-aligned conservation activities at middle and high school levels, and to share our passion for nature to increase understanding and advocacy for wildlife by connecting educators to San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance conservation science.

Over the past 20 years, we have built a nationally recognized and fully accredited program with a stellar reputation for giving teachers access to unparalleled information and experiences. To date, we have trained more than 2,000 middle and high school educators from 50 states and 30 countries. Participants spend their days in intensive study in the Conservation Education Lab and their evenings at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, engaging with staff members and acquiring invaluable new skills to take back to their home campuses. During the workshop, teachers work together to frame content standards in the context of wildlife conservation and explore ways to challenge students to apply textbook knowledge of life science to current biodiversity challenges. Participants engage in activities that focus on critical issues facing endangered species using a variety of advanced technical tools and techniques; all activities support the Next Generation Science Standards and can be implemented back in the classroom. Our generous grant funding allows this residential program to include all meals, lodging, and materials for free, as well as a $500 stipend to help offset any travel or childcare expenses, paid upon full completion of the program.

We also offer a registration option for educators with access to professional development funds that can cover the cost of attending Teacher Workshops. Educators who wish to register (as opposed to apply for the workshop for free) and guarantee their spot will pay a $2,000 fee, which includes all the same experiences and accommodations as applicants, minus the stipend.

Upon completion, participants will have the option to purchase four Graduate-Level Extension Credits (GLEC) including an official USD transcript issued through the Credit Validation Program. This transcript reflects externally reviewed, graduate-level coursework and learning outcomes, providing internationally recognized documentation of validated postgraduate study.

Application:

The application and registration form for the 2026 Teacher Workshops in Conservation Science is now open! The tentative weeks for this summer are:

• June 29–July 1: High School Focus
• July 6–8: Middle School Focus
• July 13–15: High School Focus
• July 20–22: Middle School Focus
• July 27–29: High School Focus

Each educator must submit their own form. The deadline to apply is April 12. Please contact TeacherWorkshops@sdzwa.org with any questions. The application can be found on our website >>