Join us for Science Behind the Zoo, a hands-on learning event designed for young people aged 15 to 18 with an interest in biology, animal care, conservation, environmental science, geography and related subjects.
Get behind the scenes of modern zoo science and discover how keepers and conservationists use observation, evidence and data to make decisions about animals and their care.
Date: Saturday 14 November
Time: 9.30am to 2.30pm
Where: Belfast Zoo
What will you discover?
Throughout the day, you’ll take part in practical activities and challenges, including:
Animal behaviour investigation
Learn how scientists study animal behaviour by carrying out your own observations and creating an ethogram to record and analyse what an animal does.
Enrichment design challenge
Put your creativity and scientific thinking to the test by designing enrichment for an animal. Your ideas will be assessed by our Zookeepers, who will consider how well they meet the animal’s behavioural and welfare needs.
Animal Science in Practice
Hear from a zookeeper about how science is used in the day-to-day care of animals and discover how observations and evidence can influence animal welfare decisions.
Conservation Science Workshop
Explore biodiversity, population decline and wildlife crime using real biofacts and conservation artefacts, including eggs, feathers, replica skulls and confiscated wildlife items.
Data analysis
Use the behavioural data you collect during the day to create graphs, compare results before and after enrichment, interpret your findings and consider how scientific investigations can be improved.
You’ll also discover more about career and progression opportunities in animal care, conservation, environmental science and related fields.
Whether you’re studying GCSE, A-Level, BTEC, Occupational Studies or considering a future working with animals or the environment, this is an opportunity to put your learning into practice and experience the science behind the zoo.
This event is for young people aged 15 to 18. Places are limited and booking is required. Spaces are limited.
Tickets cost £25 per person and include entry to the zoo after the event.
Book tickets for a child (aged 15, 16 and 17) (link opens in new window)
Book tickets for an adult (aged 18) (link opens in new window)
Terms and conditions
- Participants aged under 18 require parental consent to take part in Science Behind the Zoo.
- Participants will not be supervised during the allocated lunch break.
- Full payment is required to secure your place.
- The booking is non-refundable and non-transferable. Participants must abide by staff instructions, safety rules and health and safety guidelines at all times while in the zoo.
- Participants cannot enter areas that staff identify as out of bounds or cross any safety barriers during the time at the zoo.
- Belfast Zoo reserves the right to alter or cancel the event, schedule and planned activities on any given day with no prior notice.
- Belfast Zoo will not cover any travel, accommodation or associated costs if the scheduled date is cancelled for an unforeseen reason.
- The zoo’s visitor code of conduct applies to all participants.
- It is your responsibility to inform us of any condition that we should be aware of in order to ensure the safety of all participants. Whilst every effort is made to accommodate conditions, this may not always be reasonably possible.
- Participants should wear suitable, weather-proof clothing and flat, comfortable footwear.