ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the Zoo and Aquarium Action Research Collaborative, a project that supported zoo and aquarium educators from six institutions in investigating questions that arose from their practice. We report on the professional development model used, the research topics participants chose, and the impact of the project on participants. Positive effects were seen in educators’ sense of professional identity and self-efficacy, adoption of new tools and practices, and ability to notice and communicate about visitors’ engagement. Challenges to this professional development model in terms of sustainability are also described.
