The Phoenix Zoo has live educational programming, virtual safaris and an abundance of cute photos and videos of animals, behind-the-scenes caretaking by the zoo’s animal keeps, and in-depth stories of the Zoo and their amazing residents.

How do you become a specialist in penguin care or in understanding sea lion behavior? You’ll hear about two people who have done just that in this STEM Pro Live! with two members of OdySea Aquarium’s animal care and education team.

Dayna Cooper, a butterfly specialist, and Ron Brisette, an architect, talk about how the facility at Butterfly Wonderland in Scottsdale, Ariz., needed to be specially constructed to help the butterflies thrive and how Dayna helps care for the butterflies every day.

Students will understand how fish swim and breathe underwater as well as other adaptations of sea turtles, seals and sea lions.

Guests of OdySea Aquarium follow the journey of a drop of water as it falls from the sky and gently flows into rivers and lakes, winding its way to the shore and down to the vast ocean. 

Students will learn penguin anatomy and their special adaptations.

Students will understand the basic anatomy of what makes a fish a fish and describe characteristics of marine mammals such as seals and sea lions that are found in the Carousel of the Living Sea.

Students will gain an understanding of coral reef ecosystems and how humans can protect coral reefs.

Students will learn about the various adaptations octopus, jellyfish, seahorses, crabs and other bizarre and beautiful animals have to survive.

Students will focus on parts of the water cycle and basic water conservation themes.

Key vocabulary in the Shark curriculum include cartilage, buoyant, cold- blooded and predator to help students understand shark anatomy and physiology.

Students will understand how rivers are formed and the diversity of life around rivers such as Asian Small Clawed Otters, river turtles and trout.