Abstract Children comprise many of the visitors to zoos every year, yet few studies have explored the impact of a zoo visit on children’s learning. This study employed a repeated measure design using data gathered from 500 questionnaires to investigate students’ knowledge, attitude, and behavior before and after visiting a zoo or aquarium in Ireland. A treatment group participated in a purposefully developed educational intervention, which included a hands-on activity, intended to enhance learning. Results indicate that learning does occur after a zoo or aquarium visit. However, students visiting the zoo and those who participated in the educational intervention showed the greatest increases in learning. A zoo visit has educational benefits for children, but to maximize this benefit an educational intervention should be offered.

中文翻译：

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教育干预可最大限度地提高儿童在参观动物园或水族馆期间的学习

摘要 每年去动物园的游客中有很多是儿童，但很少有研究探讨参观动物园对儿童学习的影响。本研究采用重复测量设计，使用从 500 份问卷收集的数据来调查学生在参观爱尔兰动物园或水族馆前后的知识、态度和行为。一个治疗组参加了有目的的教育干预，其中包括旨在加强学习的动手活动。结果表明，学习确实发生在参观动物园或水族馆之后。然而，参观动物园的学生和参加教育干预的学生的学习增长最大。参观动物园对儿童有教育意义，但为了最大限度地提高这种利益，应该提供教育干预。