Montreal Learning Fair 2026 When Animals Become Ambassadors for Education

On April 18 and 19, more than 20,000 visitors walked through the doors of the Montreal Convention Centre to attend the Montreal Learning Fair. Teachers, special education educators, families, daycares, and youth organizations gathered to discover innovative educational resources. Once again this year, Éducazoo was among the exhibitors, showcasing its vision of learning through animals.

Behind the smiles, discoveries, and animal encounters lies a very specific mission: making science accessible and sparking curiosity about the animal world.

 

An Important Event for the Educational Community

The Learning Fair has become a must-attend event for professionals in the education sector. Visitors can discover teaching tools, conferences, educational activities, and companies specializing in child development.

For our sales assistants and Naturalists, it is also a unique opportunity to speak directly with schools and families to better understand their needs in the field. These discussions allow us to continuously adapt our educational activities and animal presentations.

 

Animals Chosen for Their Personality

To stay true to our mission, the animals present at large events such as the Learning Fair are never chosen randomly. Each species is selected according to its temperament, adaptability, stimulation needs, and most importantly, its well-being.

Coco the cockatoo, for example, thrives in stimulating environments. This highly social species has strong communication abilities and loves attention. In parrots, this is known as gregarious behavior, meaning a natural need to live and interact in groups. Coco is definitely no exception — he probably benefits the most from meeting large crowds!

Our tortoises, meanwhile, often use these events as an opportunity to calmly explore their surroundings. Their slower behavior allows children to observe their movement, locomotion, and the unique characteristics of their shells.

Even our Giant African Land Snails attract a lot of attention. What many people do not realize is that exhibiting and handling them at events requires a mandatory permit issued by the CFIA, since giant snails, like many arthropods, are considered regulated species in Canada. This simple interaction becomes a great opportunity to discuss biodiversity, regulations, and exotic species.

When Snakes Change Perceptions

Among the animals that generate the most curiosity, snakes are almost always at the top of the list. Yet many visitors approach the booth with fear or hesitation. One of our missions is to help people better understand animal fears and phobias.

Our Naturalists take the time to explain snake behavior, anatomy, and ecological roles. Visitors even discover that snakes use their forked tongues to analyze odors through a sensory structure called the Jacobson’s organ.

This is often when the magic happens. Children who were afraid only minutes earlier suddenly ask to touch the snake. Parents begin asking questions. Conversations start. Slowly, myths disappear.

Even cockroaches become educational stars. They help us introduce the fascinating world of arthropods, a group of animals that includes insects, spiders, and crustaceans. Their exoskeletons, adaptations, and ecological roles surprise many visitors, especially when they learn that arthropods make up more than 80% of life on Earth.

A Concrete Way to Make Science Accessible

At the Learning Fair, animals become much more than an attraction — they become a gateway to science.

During the event, our team also hosted several educational conferences focused on animal species, conservation, and animal behavior. The objective always remains the same: simplifying complex scientific concepts using examples that are easy to understand, engaging, and concrete.

Talking about thermoregulation with a reptile suddenly becomes much easier when a child can directly observe the animal seeking heat. Explaining camouflage becomes far more meaningful when presenting an insect capable of blending into its environment.

This interactive approach helps young people retain information while developing a genuine interest in natural sciences.

 

Presenting Educazoo’s New Projects

The fair also provided a great opportunity to introduce several new projects developed by our team:

• A new platform designed for schools to simplify reservations and educational followups

• New educational birthday party packages

• Several adaptations of our animal presentations depending on age groups

These discussions with teachers and educators are essential for continuing to offer educational activities adapted to real classroom needs.

When Animals Create Lasting Memories

At Éducazoo, our presence at the Learning Fair goes far beyond simply presenting exotic animals.

Each species has a specific educational purpose. Some help demystify fears. Others allow us to explain scientific concepts such as adaptation, mimicry, or natural habitats. But most importantly, they create emotions and lasting memories.

And when a child leaves with a newfound fascination for reptiles, a better understanding of insects, or simply greater respect for animals… we realize just how powerful animal education can truly be.

Because in the end, learning with animals often means learning to better understand the living world around us.