An educational intervention maximizes children's learning during a zoo or aquarium visit. Issue 5 (2nd September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Collins, Courtney; Corkery, Ilse; McKeown, Sean; McSweeney, Lynda; Flannery, Kevin; Kennedy, Declan; O'Riordan, Ruth
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental education. Volume 51:Issue 5(2020)
• Page Start: 361
• Page End: 380
• Publication Date: 2020-09-02
• Subjects: children -- educational intervention -- evaluation -- survey -- zoo setting; Environmental education -- Periodicals; 333.7207
• DOI: 10.1080/00958964.2020.1719022
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0095-8964

Abstract

Abstract: Children comprise many of the visitors to zoos every year, yet few studies have explored the impact of a zoo visit on children's learning. This study employed a repeated measure design using data gathered from 500 questionnaires to investigate students' knowledge, attitude, and behavior before and after visiting a zoo or aquarium in Ireland. A treatment group participated in a purposefully developed educational intervention, which included a hands-on activity, intended to enhance learning. Results indicate that learning does occur after a zoo or aquarium visit. However, students visiting the zoo and those who participated in the educational intervention showed the greatest increases in learning. A zoo visit has educational benefits for children, but to maximize this benefit an educational intervention should be offered.