This paper outlines findings from a 1990 survey conducted by the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums (AAZPA), specifically related to the prevalence and value of teacher training programs at accredited AAZPA institutions.
This paper outlines the methodology and findings of a study that analyzed the effects of zoo-based educational approaches on the knowledge of, and attitude toward, wildlife conservation among Colombian fourth-grade students (9 to 11 years of age). The rationale behind the study was that direct experience, coupled with adequate preparation and reinforcement, should improve children's knowledge of, and attitudes toward wildlife.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Teresa Gutierrez de WhiteSusan K. Jacobson
This paper outlines the methodology and findings of a front-end evaluation conducted by staff at the Science Museum at the National Autonomous University of Mexico in preparation of opening a new Biodiversity Hall. Researchers surveyed junior high teachers and students to better understand this audience's attitudes about the environment, evolution, taxonomy, biodiversity, etc. as well as their general knowledge of these topics.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Silvia E. ZamoraSusana Lopez de LaraAdriana Bravo
In this paper, researchers from Colorado State University (CSU) discuss rising concern of public land managers, ranchers, and the general public about public lands grazing and the conflicts that arise between industry and recreation-seeking citizens. The authors present findings from a research project conducted under a cooperative agreement between the College of Natural Resources at CSU, the Grand Mesa/Uncompaghre National Forest, and the Rocky Mountain Forest Experiment Station. The first phase of this research was a visitor perception study conducted on the Big Cimarron Allotment in
This paper examines long term measures of self reported behavior changes after a visit to a botanic garden. These efforts analyze the effectiveness of botanic garden exhibits on focusing public attention on the issues of conservation. Key findings from a study at the "Endangered Island Plants" exhibit at the Chelsea Physic Garden are outlined.
In this paper, Sara Gaspar Hernandez discusses how cultural differences between social groups influence vistiors' experienes at science museums. Hernandez discuses methods used at her institution, UNIVERSUM Science Museum in Mexico City, to study, create and sustain exhibits that are respectful of individual and group differences. Findings from an evaluation of an exhibit on eclipses are outlined.
This paper discusses a collaboration between the Brooklyn Children's Museum and Brooklyn Botanic Garden on a series of educational programs and exhibits entitled "Breaking Ground." Developers aimed to create programs to teach basic science principles related to botany, ethnobotany, and urban ecology, promote urban children's understanding of the importance of plants to humans, biologically and culturally, and foster positive environmental ethics in children 6 to 12 years of age. Findings from a research study to support the development of these programs are briefly outlined in this paper.
The Milwaukee Public Museum will develop two test stations: A Wetland/Wood Station and a Mobile Testing Station that will be used to evaluation how hands-on activities that incorporate scientific tools and methods can be applied to supplement the educational experience of traditional natural history museum dioramas. As a result of the MPM's work, visitors will become engaged in a "field experience" by means of techniques to encourage observing, recording of data, and hypothesizing using tools that a scientists might use to study the natural environment such as a hand lens, radio telemetry receiver, scales, rulers, and/or calipers. Visitors will also have the opportunity to investigate further in the "lab". Here visitors will use such tools as a computer, microscope, measuring grid, and they will be encouraged to experiment, infer, predict, and classify. The intent is to have the visitor discover how scientific information is used to support decisions in every day life. The development of these stations will be accompanied by considerable formative and summative evaluation studies. The results will be disseminated in order that other natural history museums with dioramas may replicate these ideas in order that visitors might move beyond the primary "animal identification" phase in their examination and enjoyment of dioramas.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
William HackbarthW. Carl TaylorJames KellyAllen YoungMary Korenic