Education Award
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums recognizes outstanding achievement in educational program design judging programs on their ability to promote conservation knowledge, attitudes and behavior, show innovation, and measure success.
Awards will be presented in two categories based on annual operating budget (budgets less than $8 million and budgets of $8 million or more).
There is a tip sheet at the end of the guidelines with recommendations from former reviewers to assist applicants in developing their submissions.
If there is any question as to what constitutes an eligible project, please email Leticia Orti or call (301) 244-3326.
How to Submit an Application
Past recipients' application materials are available below.
All Honors and Awards applications must be submitted in electronic format ONLY and must be compiled into one PDF file. Please make sure the file name reflects both the award name and the institution.
Please upload your file to the AZA Dropbox link in the Application document below. Your file will go to the AZA Dropbox account, but you do not need to sign in, or even have a Dropbox account to use this link—when it opens, just click on the “choose files” box and upload your application.
Remember to submit a Media Release Form (DOC) with your application.
Education Award Recipients
See past recipients' application materials (member log in required)
2024
Top Honors - operating budget over $8 million
Houston Zoo for Houston Zoo Teen Programs Wildlife Saving Campaigns
Significant Achievement - operating budget over $8 million
Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance for Nature Play in the City: Enhancing Family and Community Connection with Nature
Significant Achievement - operating budget under $8 million
Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo for Cool Blue Bridgeport
Innovation - operating budget over $8 million
Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens for Beloved Pets Offrenda
2023
Top Honors - operating budget over $8 million
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk for Maritime Summer Academy: An Innovative Partnership Serving Norwalk's Lowest-Performing Students
Top Honors - operating budget under $8 million
Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo for Research, Internships, and Zoo Education (RIZE) program
Significant Achievement - operating budget over $8 million
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium for Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Teen Eco Summit
Innovation - operating budget over $8 million
Santa Barbara Zoo for Early Explorers Preschool
2022
Top Honors - operating budget over $8 million
Wildlife Conservation Society/Bronx Zoo for You Can’t Be What You Can’t See: Increasing Representation in Conservation Science Stories
Top Honors - operating budget under $8 million
Boonshoft Museum of Discovery for Toddler Time
Significant Achievement - operating budget over $8 million
- Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens for Virtual Zoo Pals
- Santa Barbara Zoo for Inclusion Initiatives Project: The Importance of Inclusive Education
Significant Achievement - operating budget under $8 million
Seneca Park Zoo Society for Wildlife Action Crew
2021
Top Honors - operating budget over $8 million
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk for Virtual Aquarium: Supporting Teachers, Students and Families In a Time of Crisis
Top Honors - operating budget under $8 million
Henry Vilas Zoo for Zoo School
Significant Achievement - operating budget over $8 million
- Zoological Society of Milwaukee for ZooConnect
- Toronto Zoo for Toronto Zoo's Great Lakes Program
Significant Achievement - operating budget under $8 million
Western North Carolina Nature Center for Young Naturalists
2020
Top Honors - operating budget over $8 million
Minnesota Zoological Gardens for ZOOMS STEM Design Challenge presented by Flint Hills Resources
Top Honors - operating budget under $8 million
Racine Zoological Society for Racine Zoo AmeriCorps Program
Significant Achievement - operating budget over $8 million
- Philadelphia Zoo for Philadelphia Zoo Albert M. Greenfield Foundation UNLESS Contest
- Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk for Sound Resilience – Get on Board
Community Engagement Award - operating budget over $8 million
Chicago Zoological Society / Brookfield Zoo for King Conservation Leadership Academy
2019
Top Honors - operating budget over $8 million
Houston Zoo for Saving Wildlife School Partnership Program
Significant Achievement - operating budget over $8 million
- Birmingham Zoo for ZooSchool
- Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum for Packrat Playhouse: Hidden in the Midden
Innovation - operating budget over $8 million
Nashville Zoo for Cougar Commodore Collaborative
2018
Top Honors - operating budget over $5 million
Chicago Zoological Society-Brookfield Zoo for Naturestart
Top Honors - operating budget under $5 million
WAVE Foundation at Newport Aquarium for The Living Curriculum Initiative
Significant Achievement - operating budget over $5 million
Seattle Aquarium, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, and Woodland Park Zoo for Fostering Empathy for Animals: A Collaborative Project
Significant Achievement - operating budget under $5 million
Western North Carolina Nature Center for Expanding Impact Throughout Targeted Low Income Outreach Education
Innovation - operating budget over $5 million
Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre for AquaVan 150: Connecting Communities to Coastlines
Community Engagement - operating budget over $5 million
Detroit Zoological Park for Celebrate Urban Backyards
2017
Top Honors - operating budget over $5 million
Wildlife Conservation Society for Urban Advantage
Top Honors - operating budget under $5 million
Africam Safari for Guardians of the Forest
Significant Achievement - operating budget over $5 million
Denver Zoo for Nurturing Scientists Through Nature Pay
Significant Achievement - operating budget under $5 million
North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores for Aquarium Teen Ambassadors
2016
Top Honors - operating budget over $5 million
- John G. Shedd Aquarium for Shedd Aquarium's Teen Field Experiences
- Mystic Aquarium for Sea School Preschool Think Green in the Spring Program
Significant Achievement - operating budget over $5 million
- Chicago Zoological Society for King Conservation Science Scholars
- The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk for Teen Maritime Program Emphasizing Science & Technology (TeMPEST)
2015
Top Honors - operating budget over $5 million
Lincoln Park Zoo for Partners in Field Work
Significant Achievement - operating budget over $5 million
Wildlife Conservation Society for Survey of Educator Attitudes on Science
2014
Top Honors - operating budget over $5 million
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo for Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's Online Resource Library
Top Honors - operating budget under $5 million
Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo for Conservation Discovery Corps
Significant Achievement - operating budget over $5 million
- Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden for Inspiring Action through Wildlife Encounters
- Denver Zoo for Toyota Elephant Passage Education Program
Significant Achievement - operating budget under $5 million
Miller Park Zoo for Junior Zookeepers
2013
Top Honors - operating budget over $5 million
Wildlife Conservation Society/Bronx Zoo for Outside-the-Box Professional Development
Top Honors - operating budget under $5 million
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium for Young Scientists Program
Significant Achievement - operating budget over $5 million
Louisville Zoological Gardens for School at the Zoo
2012
Top Honors - operating budget over $5 million
- Cleveland Metroparks Zoo for African Elephant Crossing Education Program
- Wildlife Conservation Society for Online Teacher Academy
Top Honors - operating budget under $5 million
Potter Park Zoo for BIG Zoo Lesson
Significant Achievement - operating budget over $5 million
Chicago Zoological Society / Brookfield Zoo for Centers of Science Excellence
2011
Top Honors
Woodland Park Zoo for Ready, Set, Discover 2011
Significant Achievement
- CZS / Brookfield Zoo for Nature Start: Early Childhood Nature Program
- Lincoln Park Zoo for Young Researchers Collaborative
2010
Top Honors
- Minnesota Zoo for WolfQuest
- Wildlife Conservation Society for Urban Assembly School for Wildlife Conservation
Significant Achievement
Detroit Zoological Society for City Critters--An Educational Collaboration
2009
Top Honors
Chicago Zoological - Brookfield Zoo for Levels of Engagement
Significant Achievement
Lincoln Park Zoo for Exploring Ape Behavior
2008
Top Honors
Disney's Animal Kingdom for Continuing the Legacy of Conservation Education in African Sanctuaries
Significant Achievement
- Woodland Park Zoo for The Cultural Interpreter Programs
- Wildlife Conservation Society for Beyond the Campus
2007
Top Honors
Zoo Atlanta for Academy For Conservation Training
Significant Achievement
Seattle Aquarium for Sound Science
2006
Top Honors
Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium for Wild Wonders Outdoor Theater
2005
Top Honors
Bronx Zoo for Girls for Planet Earth
Significant Achievement
Brookfield Zoo for Every Student is a Scientist: Using Technology to Foster Inclusive Learning
2004
Top Honors
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden for Helping Hands - Teens in Action in the Community
Significant Achievement
- Zoo New England for Thinking Outside the Classroom: Zoo New England's Unique Partnership with the Beebe School Program
- Philadelphia Zoo for Junior Zoo Apprentice Program
2003
Top Honors
Chicago Zoological Society for To Save a Species — Managing a Captive Population
Significant Achievement
- National Aviary for Connecting the Classroom: Educating People About the Wonders of Birds via the World Wide Web
- South Carolina Aquarium for Structured School Program
2002
Top Honors
Monterey Bay Aquarium for Splash Zone Education Programs
Significant Achievement
- Bronx Zoo / Wildlife Conservation Society for Wildlife Science Careers Program
- Houston Zoological Gardens for Project U.S.A.- Urban: Scientists in Action
2001
- Bronx Zoo / Wildlife Conservation Society for SPARKS (Support Parents in Advocacy, Reform, and Knowledge in Science)
- Woodland Park Zoo for Wild Wise
2000
- Seattle Aquarium for Beach Naturalist Program
- Bronx Zoo / Wildlife Conservation Society for Congo Gorilla Forest
- National Aviary for Red Siskin Program Outreach Program
1999
- National Aquarium in Baltimore for Aquarium on Wheels
- Oregon Zoo for ZooWatch
1998
Brookfield Zoo for Zoo Adventure Passport
1997
Bronx Zoo/Wildlife Conservation Park for Habitat Ecology Learning Program
1996
Bronx Zoo/Wildlife Conservation Park for Conservation Education in China
1995
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo for The RainForest Connection
1994
San Francisco Zoological Gardens for A Trail With An Attitude
1993
Los Angeles Zoo for Zoo Discovery Kit
1992
Monterey Bay Aquarium for Live from Monterey Canyon
1991
Bronx Zoo/Wildlife Conservation Park for Zoos for Effective Science Teaching
1990
Oregon Zoo for Project S.A.F.E.
1989
National Aquarium in Baltimore for Living in Water
1988
San Diego Zoo for Kopje Exhibit Interpretive Program
1987
- Bronx Zoo/Wildlife Conservation Park for Diversity of Lifestyles
- Philadelphia Zoological Garden for ZooWalk Summer Theater
1986
- Cincinnati Zoo for A Future in the World
- Lincoln Park Zoological Gardens for Exploring the Tropical Rainforest
- San Francisco Zoological Society for Monroe School Zoomobile Project
1985
- Milwaukee County Zoological Gardens for Preschool Education Program
- National Zoological Park for Herplab
- Sea World of California for Sea World Outreach Program
1984
Cincinnati Zoo for Animal & Environmental Learning Experiences and Zoo, Zoo, Zoo
1983
- Cincinnati Zoo for Frisch's Discovery Center
- Lincoln Park Zoological Gardens for Hands On Zoo
- National Aquarium in Baltimore for Outreach Program in Marine and Aquatic Education
1982
- Bronx Zoo/Wildlife Conservation Park for Close-up on Animals for Exceptional Children
- Lincoln Park Zoological Gardens for Dinosaurs, Dodos and You
1981
- Bronx Zoo/Wildlife Conservation Park for Windows of Wildlife
- Fort Worth Zoological Park for A Place for Life
- Minnesota Zoological Garden for Institutional Commitment
- Oregon Zoo for Creepy Crawler Zoomobile
1980
- National Zoological Park for Zoolab
- Phoenix Zoo for Zoomobile
- Sea World of Ohio for Interworlds: Elementary Age
- The Seattle Aquarium for Institutional Commitment
- Sedgwick County Zoo for Teacher Project
1978
- Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum for Mexican Environmental Program
- Oregon Zoo for Zoo Days
- John G. Shedd Aquarium for Lake Michigan Education Program
- Zoo Atlanta for Public Awareness of Reptile Conservation Program