I would love to see a couple new types of education objects. (First, why is there only one type of conservation education board? It'd be nice to have a flat screen so it's easier to incorporate into buildings, viewing structures, etc.) But also: currently they're very reading-focused, and not particularly child-friendly. I'd love seeing a little more variety, particularly on interactive-type displays that will appeal more to the zoo's younger guests. I realize that it might be hard to implement, especially since they're not as easy to switch as what's displayed on a screen... But it'd be cool. A few examples I remember from the zoo near my hometown: A panel with casts of different hoof/paw prints, so you can compare your own hand size to that of a gorilla, a tiger, etc. There was another one illustrating how far different animals can jump. There was a starting point, and then different animal silhouettes along the path showing how far they can jump -- with the furthest away being the snow leopard. Even if the guests just view the items as if they were a regular education board, I think it would be a nice addition -- a way to educate children in a way that engages them. Because I have been to zoos with young children, and they are not interested in reading the signs. And because education is currently rather difficult to achieve, it could provide new ways to increase guest education without copy+pasting the same education boards over and over again. It'd be nice to have more variety.
More education options?
- Thread starter CRStirpe
- Start date
I was thinking about this myself! I really miss the tour guides from og zoo tycoon. But I also think it would be cool to add a guest facility for educational programs. When I was a kid, our zoo has summer "camps" where parents could drop the kids for 2 hours and we'd learn about animals, make crafts, and go visit some interactive exhibits around the zoo (looking at you guest gates!). As I got older, I've also done some field trips to the zoo where we'd see special exhibits with tour guides. I'd love to integrate some of these things into my zoos. Maybe we could have a special building for this staffed with tour guides who then guide school groups around interactive exhibits? I'd think that'd be cool, plus more reason to make really dynamic walk-through exhibits!
