Explore the science. Meet the animals. Design the future. Join the team at the Edinburgh Zoo as you explore the role zoos and animal play in

How do zoos help people protect, value and love nature, and how could they do it even better?

Come join the team from Edinburgh Zoo to explore how they use the science of nature connectedness, the evidence showing that feeling connected to nature can improve wellbeing while inspiring people to care for wildlife and the environment.

This interactive three-hour workshop combines a short talk, discussions about conservation science, guided exploration around the zoo and creative group activities. Young people and families will work alongside researchers to investigate what helps visitors feel connected to animals and nature.

Together, participants will design new ideas for experiences, activities, or communication that could inspire future zoo visitors. By the end of the session, each group will have created and shared a prototype, such as an activity, interpretation idea, campaign, or visitor experience that could help strengthen the connection between people and nature.

No scientific background is needed, just curiosity, creativity and a willingness to explore.

This event will take place at Edinburgh Zoo.

Important points to note

This event is suitable for age 16+

Event format: This event is a workshop and may involve some audience interaction. This could involve group activities, individual activities, quizzes or hands-on activities. The event will involve some walking and group work.

Filming: Photography may take place at this event. Please let a member of the RSE Public Engagement team know if you do not want to be photographed.

SPEAKER

Beccy Angus

Head of Discovery and Learning

Beccy leads the RZSS Discovery and Learning team at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland and works to connect people with each other and nature in meaningful, inclusive ways. She has more than 20 years of experience in public engagement, learning and interpretation throughout heritage focussing on nature connectedness and impact measurement.

Beccy sits on the board or the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) and the habitat restoration charity Bright Green Nature. She is the chair of the BIAZA Conservation Education Committee and is the vice chair of the EAZA Conservation Education Committee. More than anything, Beccy understands how important and valuable communication, meaningful engagement and stories are for connecting, making relevant and educating people about science, wildlife and global conservation.

SPEAKER

Phill Matthis

Discovery and Learning Manager at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland

Phill is the Discovery and Learning Manager at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, based at Edinburgh Zoo, where he supports the teams delivering learning, community and onsite discovery programmes. With more than 15 years' experience across formal learning and visitor engagement, he is passionate about creating inclusive opportunities that help people connect with nature, learning and one another. Alongside his role at RZSS, Phill serves on the board of Play Scotland and contributes to national education and engagement initiatives through the National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement and Education Scotland's Curriculum Improvement Cycle Working Groups. He is a strong advocate for experiential and active learning, believing that meaningful engagement can reduce barriers, build confidence and inspire curiosity in audiences of all ages.

SPEAKER

Lizzie Seymour

Interpretation and Learning Technology Manager

Lizzie believes that to protect the natural world, we first have to fall in love with it. She is a lifelong storyteller fascinated by wild spaces, quirky characters and all things colourful. For nine years, she has brought this passion to the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, turning complex conservation messaging into immersive experiences to make nature accessible to anyone, anywhere. Lizzie constantly pushes digital boundaries. She sees tools like online learning environments, virtual reality, and graphic communication as modern-day campfires: inclusive spaces that bring people and place together and kindle the imagination. Lizzie is the creator of ZOOdle, an award-winning platform inspiring over 170,000 learners annually, and actively steers industry trends as a committee member and writer for the Digital Learning Network.

COLLABORATOR

Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS)

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland is a wildlife conservation charity with a bold vision: a world where nature is protected, valued and loved.

Their mission is to save wildlife and empower people in Scotland and around the world to protect, value and love nature. But they cannot achieve this alone; their vision needs an inspired and empowered worldwide community to join together and help them to achieve their pledges.

About the Curious festival

The RSE’s f

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