Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland has pioneered a scheme called 'interlink' which combines the resources of the zoo, local museums, and the botanic gardens to create educational courses. Like several other zoos it offers teachers a range of courses from day trips with infants to intensive courses for Advance Level students, and even undergraduates. In 1991 over 50,000 students were involved with structured courses at Edinburgh Zoo. Schools are also offered educational 'packs' to issue to children, and most good zoos will offer advice to teachers on the most appropriate areas of study for that zoo. We have tried, in our zoo ratings, to judge the educational service offered by the good zoos.
Zoos are a resource that our schools probably undervalue.
They have a lot to offer, and in the end the zoo visit will probably be remembered longer than a whole year of classroom lessons. Become an Internet Zoo Critic and contribute to a worldwide databank of knowledge on mammal and bird conservation. Click Here .