Polly H. Hix Institute for Research and Conservation

Have fun and learn all about the endangered tigers of Russia!  Play Tiger Trackers and you can earn your stripes as a big cat researcher in the wild while also raising funds to help save the tigers that are struggling to survive.  Half of all proceeds go to the wild tigers!  Get started now with the fun Facebook app (you may need to download Flash Player 10).

A wide variety of educational and conservation-oriented programs at the Indianapolis Zoo are managed under the auspices of the Polly H. Hix Institute for Research and Conservation.  The Institute is located in the former Education Center building at the front of the Zoo adjacent to the admission gates, and is headed by Norah Fletchall, Vice President of Conservation and the Marion L. McConnell Fellow.

Fletchall leads a multi-disciplined team of educators, scientists, conservationists, and other Zoo staff to develop and implement a far reaching series of programs that will have a measurable, significant and positive impact on wildlife and wild places around the planet, and help transform the City of Indianapolis into a community that embraces environmental stewardship as a core value. Indianapolis Zoo is very proud of its ongoing educational programs, online resources, as well as our programs for students, young people and teachers.

Field Trips
Every year, thousands of students from throughout Indiana take field trips to the Indianapolis Zoo where school groups learn more about animals from around the world.

Overnight Adventures
Enter a world long kept in the dark - the Zoo at night. Nocturnal Adventures, the Zoo's overnight program, will show you what most Zoo visitors only imagine. Also available is our “Bunk for Badge” overnight programs for Brownie and Junior girl scouts.

Zoo Camps
Since the 1970s, our staff has been providing children the opportunity to explore the wonders of the Indianapolis Zoo. Each summer, join us for tours of the Zoo and Gardens, hands-on animal interactions, games, songs, creative craft projects, animal shows, and more. Zoo summer camps are well organized, well supervised and provide interesting, educational activities for the participants.

Distance Learning
Zoos have the power to carry us from the frozen tundra of Antarctica to the deepest jungles of Africa. With a Distance Learning program, students can reach across the miles for an amazing learning experience. The Indianapolis Zoo invites teachers to connect with that power right in your own classroom.

Teacher Resources
Our educational suitcases give your students hands-on activities focusing on animals here at the Zoo and around the world. Kits include a teacher's manual and props like books, artifacts, posters and activities.