Collaboration
Learning Group: Applying Empathy Practices to Biofact Collections & Related Programming
March 2024
ACE for Wildlife™ Network

Minnesota Zoo

Woodland Park Zoo

Zoological Society of Milwaukee
March 2024
ACE for Wildlife™ Network
Minnesota Zoo
Woodland Park Zoo
Zoological Society of Milwaukee
Biofacts are an integral piece of zoo and aquarium programming and have their own unique impacts on zoo and aquarium visitors. In this learning group, hear from staff at the Minnesota Zoo, Woodland Park Zoo, and the Zoological Society of Milwaukee as they share how they are using empathy practices to inform their biofact-focused programming and evaluations. Christine Ness at the Minnesota Zoo will be sharing about the zoo’s Ivory Lab program. Makenzie Stewart from Woodland Park Zoo will be sharing about the creation of docent guides for utilizing biofact collections. Shanna Hillard from the Zoological Society of Milwaukee will be sharing a tool the Society uses to evaluate programs using biofacts.
Ivory ID Biofact Storage Biofact Interpretation Eval AudioTranscript Video with Spanish SubtitlesTags:
This guide is informed by multiple inquiry-based learning strategies and frameworks with the objective of developing empathy for animals, and was designed to be accessible for docents with a varying level of familiarity and experience. The tools described in this guide can frame conversations that emerge from these questions to support docent’s confidence and ability to inspire empathy for animals in young learners.
Join us in fostering empathy for animals and people, and taking conservation actions.