Inside Nature: The first-of-its-kind education resource

Inside Nature is a first-of-its-kind, completely free, educational project, designed to bring real-world wildlife science directly to biology students.  

At ZSL, whenever an animal passes away at one of our Zoos, it undergoes a detailed medical examination, called a post-mortem, which is carried out by our expert veterinary pathologist department. These post-mortems are a vital part of our work. They help us understand the cause of death, contribute to global scientific research, and ensure we continue to provide the highest standards of care for every animal in our Zoos. We share our knowledge far and wide, publishing our findings on veterinary care around the world. 

Through Inside Nature, we have transformed post-mortems into accessible, curriculum-linked learning resources. Each learning pack includes:

• A dissection video showing never-before-seen footage, aided by animations and microscopic imagery
• A teacher’s guide
• Downloadable worksheets containing exam style questions and mark schemes

Andrew Wallis, a science teacher at Longdean School said: 

“These resources give the students that opportunity to see how the things they're learning in the classroom are applied. Real world, if you like, in real world context. Sometimes, we as educators lose that connection.” 

These resources can be accessed by educators, completely free, through the Times Educational Supplement (TES). They are suitable for learners studying at the level of:

•    GCSE Biology
•    A-Level Biology
•    Level 2 qualifications (e.g. BTEC Animal Care and Applied Science, City & Guilds Animal Care)
•    T Level Animal Care and Management
•    Scottish National Qualifications in Biology
•    Leaving Certificate

Cat Hickey, ZSLs Head of Conservation Education said: 

“Teachers have been amazingly creative when it comes to explaining biology to their students – we’ve heard of shag carpets being used to represent the lining of a stomach for example – but with Inside Nature, we can show them an actual stomach lining and make that learning moment one that sticks in their mind forever.”

The videos also showcase unique careers in conservation by following Dr Simon Spiro, our Veterinary Pathologist, who is responsible for the post-mortem examinations of all animals from our two conservation Zoos. 

These resources allow each animal’s legacy to live on - supporting education, inspiring future conservationists, and helping young people connect with the natural world in a meaningful and memorable way.

Made possible by Lucy Panter

Thank you to Lucy Panter, Chair of Governors of Drapers’ Maylands School (under the direction of the Multi-Academy Trust), whose generosity made Inside Nature possible.