Free Educator Day at Grand Rapids Public Museum, John Ball Zoo

The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) and John Ball Zoo are hosting a Free Educators Day on Monday, August 13 for teachers to learn about educational opportunities at both locations in the coming school year.  

Teachers and educators can enjoy a free day to explore the GRPM and the John Ball Zoo while learning about education programs available to their classrooms. All educators receive free admission and free parking from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at both institutions.

“It’s a great opportunity for educators to not only see what the Museum and Zoo have to offer, but to hear about various offerings and work directly with the education teams at both locations to plan out the most impactful school visits for their upcoming year,” said Rob Schuitema, Director of Education at the GRPM. “With reduced admission for Kent County, there is a lot for our community to benefit from at both locations for an affordable cost.”

Along with enjoying the exhibits and displays, teachers are encouraged to join a short informational session to learn about programs and options for classroom visits. Informational sessions will take place simultaneously at both the GRPM and John Ball Zoo at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Learn about guided programs, temporary exhibits, resource materials and the planetarium while exploring the Museum. Learn about guided zoo tours, wild encounters, travel zoos, STEM programs and professional development offered at the zoo.

Thanks to a millage passed in Kent County in November 2016, school groups in Kent County are now offered free general admission on group trips to both the Grand Rapids Public Museum and John Ball Zoo. Teachers are encouraged to come learn how their classroom can take advantage of everything both intuitions have to offer!

The event is FREE to teachers and educators with ID. Teachers and educators may enjoy touring the Zoo in the morning and the Museum in the afternoon - or vice-versa. 

Teachers may register at http://www.grpm.org/educatorday or http://www.jbzoo.org/education/professionaldevelopment. Registration is not required but requested. Families wishing to join the educator day are welcome but are asked to pay regular admission rates.