Allison Price, M.S.

Department
Learning
Focus
Learning Experiences
Title
Director
Education
  • M.S. – Science and Technology Studies, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
  • B.A. – Journalism and Spanish, Butler University
Headshot

Areas of Expertise

  • Nature play and early childhood programs
  • Guest experience
  • Interpretive planning and programming
  • Public speaking and presentation coaching
  • Business and journalistic writing

About

Allison is an avid science communicator who has spent her career developing ways to make science and conservation relatable and accessible to non-specialist audiences. She believes in creating a shared sense of environmental stewardship and community between the zoo and its visitors and between community members themselves.

As director of learning experiences, Allison oversees Lincoln Park Zoo’s programming and initiatives for young children, families, students and teachers, and people with disabilities. Her expertise includes nature play programming, exhibit development, and guest experience, bringing a learner- and visitor-centered approach to how programs and experiences are designed.

Allison is a former chair of the Association of Zoos and Aquarium’s Conservation Education Committee where she helped develop methods for field conservationists, animal care specialists, and educators to better collaborate with one another. She has also served as an advisor on multiple industry-wide initiatives serving the field of informal learning.

In addition to her more than 15 years as an informal educator, Allison is a professional journalist who spent five years as the deputy editor of the Association for Women in Science Magazine and is now a parenting advice columnist.

Publications

  • Price, A., J. C. Monahan, and R. Bergren. “Can Interpretive Graphics Influence Visitor Behavior in an Exhibit Space?” Journal of Interpretation Research, Vol 23 number 1 (2018).
  • Price, A., E. R. Boeving, M. A. Shender, and S. R. Ross. “Understanding the Effectiveness of Demonstration Programs.” Journal of Museum Education, Vol 40 Issue 1 (2015).
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