Research shows that encouraging and developing empathy for animals in children is an important motivator toward action on the animals’ behalf. Employing empathy framing allows visitors to see animals as unique individuals worthy of care and conservation. Therefore, we’re working to enhance exhibits, develop curriculum and other teacher resources, offer empathy fellowships, hold biennial empathy conferences and design an innovative outreach vehicle to expand our empathy reach beyond the Aquarium. Staff at the Seattle Aquarium also offer empathy workshops around the country to help other aquariums and zoos incorporate empathic learning into their institutions.
Resources
- Inspiring empathy at marine summer camp
- Three northwest zoos and aquariums honored with national award for empathy for animals program
- Measuring Empathy Collaborative Assessment Project
- Literature review of existing research on empathy for animals
- Effective Practices for Fostering Empathy Towards Marine Life
- Woodland Park Zoo's Empathy Project
- Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium's Empathy Project
Interested in working with us? Reach out to empathyworkshop@seattleaquarium.org to learn more!