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Summer
2000 Vol.
11 No. 2
Nature
Center Home Page
This
spring Nature Center Education staff, with the help of
consultant Linda Walls, developed a student outcome survey
form which is being filled out by students attending classes
at the Nature Center. In the past, teachers have filled out
evaluations after their classes attended a program. These
were helpful in assessing how teachers felt about the
programs and as a tool to improve program content and
teaching techniques based on their comments. Holly Hannum,
Education Director, felt, however, that important
information from the students was missing. "I'm excited
about getting student evaluations," she states. "The forms
help us get immediate feedback and learn what made an
impression on the kids."
Five questions on
the form address not only what content was learned, but how
student feelings and attitudes may have changed as a result
of experiencing the program.
Since implementing the survey, the Center has already received many interesting and revealing responses. A sampling of unedited answers from 4th grade students who attended the program, "Secret Inhabitants of the Watershed," appear in Tails Out of School. This program focuses on freshwater plankton and water quality issues relating to the Chesapeake Bay. Take a peek; you may be surprised!
Fair Hill creatures drawn by 4th grader from Chesapeake City Elementary School
