Learning the history of the Earth in Jurassic parks: a case study of the Tehran Jurassic Park

Tehran Jurassic Park is one of Iran’s most important nonformal learning centers, providing a basis for developing paleontological nonformal and informal learning in Iran. The current study examined the role of theme parks on the students’ educational progress, using questionnaires and interviews in Tehran Jurassic Park. Visitors’ satisfaction with the educational status of the park was evaluated in the first and second stages of the assessment. The impact of nonformal paleontological education was evaluated through a paired t-test, providing a thorough assessment of the intervention’s effectiveness. The results show that a large proportion of the students were satisfied with the changes in the park’s education system. Findings suggest that learning paleontology in a nonformal format in Jurassic Parks has an essential effect on students’ formal learning at schools. Most of the students who participated in the assessment had better educational performance in science and geology lessons.