ABSTRACT
As informal learning institutions, zoos and aquariums offer a multitude of societal benefits, including opportunities for social bonding, pro-environmental skill and behavior development, and the chance to forge emotional connections with animals. Zoos and aquariums also serve as potential venues for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education and provide opportunities for visitors to engage in learning centered on wildlife and habitat conservation. Zoo and aquarium visitors, however, often do not see these facilities as explicit in their STEM learning opportunities. We examine this convergence in three key areas: first, we discuss inquiry-based education as a viable approach for informal learning. Then, we examine empathy as a lens and a framework through which we can curate rich experiences. Finally, we look at the generation of conservation solutions through empathy-based inquiry as a critical task of conservation education. As zoos and aquariums continue to redefine their relevance in modern society, the nexus of STEM education and conservation psychology can offer a new role for these institutions to fill.
