Project

AE Grant Showcase 2025: Empathy-Led Experiences

Idaho Falls Zoo, Minnesota Zoo, Seattle Aquarium

March 2025

Advancing Empathy Grant Program

Minnesota Zoological Garden

Idaho Falls Zoo

Seattle Aquarium

This resource was funded by the Advancing Empathy Grant Program.

This group of project presentations explored how intentional planning across pre-visit preparation, immersive experiences, and evaluation builds a rich visitor experience. Each project contributed insights into how tools, biofacts, tactile resources, evaluation frameworks, and immersive experiences can work together to create a lasting empathy-infused experience. Presenters shared insights into four key phases of empathy-led experiences: 

Preparation: Pre-visit classroom tools and social stories designed to reduce barriers and set the stage for meaningful connections. 

Participation: Hands-on, immersive outdoor programming that builds empathy through real-world experiences.  

Engagement: Using biofacts to deepen emotional connections and increase conservation action through interactive engagement.  

Reflection: Measuring outcomes and refining empathy practices using evaluation frameworks and community advisory boards. 

Projects and Presenters:  

  • Seattle Aquarium: Empathy-Based Enrichment Tools for School Groups, presented by Paul Decker, School & Public Programs 
  • Seattle Aquarium: Field Programs – Building Empathy for Marine Wildlife, presented by Darcie Larson, Interim Vice President, Conservation Engagement & Learning
  • Minnesota Zoo: Increasing Empathy for Wildlife and Conservation Action through Biofacts Use, presented by Liz Gilles, Education Curator, Chris Ness, Biofact Coordinator, and Trinity Leiser, School and Early Childhood Specialist 
  • Idaho Falls Zoo: A Model to Build Public Conservation Through Empathy in Adventure Island, presented by Bethanie West, Education Coordinator 

Hosted by the Advancing Empathy Grant Program & Woodland Park Zoo www.zoo.org/empathy 

Idaho Falls Zoo 2024 Results PosterIdaho Falls Zoo 2023 Results PosterIdaho Falls Zoo Model for Inspiring Conservation through Empathy Poster

Tags:

  • biofacts
  • evaluation
  • grant
  • school programs
  • Signage

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