Improving Education at U.S. Nature & Environmental Centers

1. Improving Education at U.S. Nature & Environmental Centers Sara Melena Sunita Hilton, Ph.D Department of Natural Resource Recreation & Tourism Colorado State University Tim Merriman, Ph.D National Association for Interpretation October, 2006

2. Partnering Organizations • National Association for Interpretation • U.S. National Park Service • Colorado State University • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency • North American Association for Environmental Education • Association of Nature Center Administrators

3. Conceptual Framework Conclusions & Recommendations Introduction Background Need & Purpose Literature Review Questions Methodology Results Defining Nature Centers Nature centers are, …essentially educational, scientific and cultural in purpose with professional staff, open to the public on some regular schedule. The Nature Center manages and interprets its lands, native plants and animals and facilities to promote an understanding of nature and natural processes. It conducts frequent environmental education programs and activities for the public. Definition from the American Association of Museums

4. Conceptual Framework Conclusions & Recommendations Introduction Background Need & Purpose Literature Review Questions Methodology Results Why Study Education at Nature Centers? • Educational Infrastructure (St. John & Perry, 1993; Falk, 2005) • Surveys of nature centers focus on organizational and physical characteristics (National Science for Youth Foundation, 1990) • Little information available on how nature centers are developing environmental programs • Abundance of materials available and appropriate to education in nature centers • Limited resources

5. Conceptual Framework Conclusions & Recommendations Introduction Background Need & Purpose Literature Review Questions Methodology Results Research Objectives • Conduct a census of nature centers in the U.S. to provide baseline data about education efforts, staff, budgets and resources. • Discover which educational materials and curricula are being utilized by nature and environmental centers and why. • Conduct a needs assessment for nature and environmental centers in terms of what they need to improve their educational efforts.

6. Conceptual Framework Conclusions & Recommendations Introduction Background Need & Purpose Literature Review Questions Methodology Results Framework for Understanding Education at Nature Centers Study purpose: To understand the application of environmental education materials & needs of nature and environmental centers Meeting the goals of environmental education Guidelines for Excellence NAAEE (1998, 2004) Evaluation in formal settings (Korn, 2000, PLT, 2004, Marcinkowski & Iozzi,1994) Evaluation of quality & accuracy (Salmon, 2000, NAAEE, 1997, 1998a, 1998b)

7. Conceptual Framework Conclusions & Recommendations Introduction Background Need & Purpose Literature Review Questions Methodology Results Learning Settings in Environmental Education Free-choice learning the type of learning that occurs when learners exercise choice and control over learning (Falk & Dierking, 1998) Formal settings Public Schools Free-choice environmental learning settings Nature centers, parks, zoos, museums

8. Conceptual Framework Conclusions & Recommendations Introduction Background Need & Purpose Literature Review Questions Methodology Results Environmental Education Formal Partnerships (Knapp, 1996; Milton & Cleveland, 1995) Free-Choice Environmental Learning Settings Museums (Falk 1999, Falk & Storksdieck, 2005) Aquariums (Adelmann et al, 2000) National Parks (Brody, 2002) Interpretive programs (Knapp, 2005)

9. Environmental Education Materials Developed for use in formal & free-choice settings (EETAP, 2003) Evaluated for quality and accuracy (NAAEE, 1997, 1998; Salmon, 2000) Effectiveness (PLT, 2004; Marcinkowski & Iozzi, 1994) Theoretical Framework Research Questions Introduction Background Need & Purpose Literature Review Methodology Questions

10. Conceptual Framework Conclusions & Recommendations Introduction Background Need & Purpose Literature Review Questions Methodology Results Methodology Population • National Park Service (270 units) • The Centers Directory (1,800+ centers) • National Association for Interpretation & the Association for Nature Center Administrators (2002) • Interpretive centers, nature centers, visitor centers and environmental learning centers, zoos, aquariums, Forest Service, BLM, Park Districts

11. Conceptual Framework Conclusions & Recommendations Introduction Background Need & Purpose Literature Review Questions Methodology Results Organizational Identification • 2,144 viable addresses, 835 returned (39%)

12. Baseline Data Organizational & Financial Characteristics

13. Baseline Data Organizational & Financial Characteristics

14. Baseline Data Organizational & Financial Characteristics “Programs are limited because of funding and staff shortages. Nature centers are at the bottom of the food chain in city government.”

15. Baseline Data Organizational & Financial Characteristics

16. Baseline Data Physical Characteristics

17. Baseline Data Visitation & Education

18. Educational Materials

19. Educational Materials “I have a phenomenal staff of trained educators and I would never waste their talents & skills by asking them to present programs prepared by someone else.”

20. Educational Materials “I have a phenomenal staff of trained educators and I would never waste their talents & skills by asking them to present programs prepared by someone else.”

21. Needs Assessment Educational Materials

22. Needs Assessment Staff Training

23. Needs Assessment Teacher Workshops

24. Conceptual Framework Conclusions & Recommendations Introduction Background Need & Purpose Literature Review Questions Methodology Results Conclusions • BaselineData • Use of Materials • Resource for ideas & activities • We feel strongly that we do not want to do things on-site that can be done in the classroom, so that leaves out most published materials. • Those materials are mostly designed for use in a formal classroom setting & by classroom teachers. We want to get kids outside to experience what they are learning in the classroom. We tried to occupy a different niche w/our materials.

25. Conceptual Framework Conclusions & Recommendations Introduction Background Need & Purpose Literature Review Questions Methodology Results Conclusions • Needs • Related to facilitating direct experience with local environment • Field supplies, classroom equipment • Our “environmental educ” is blended with site specific themes for school groups with emphasis on getting students outside to experience the resource. • Marketing & Funding • We provide quality EE programs with little budget for the lessons. • Many grants & funding opportunities are available for new programs, positions or facilities. We would like to see more dedicated funding from the state for existing programs. • Staffing

26. Conceptual Framework Conclusions & Recommendations Introduction Background Need & Purpose Literature Review Questions Methodology Results Recommendations • Support local & regional networks • Local issues • Sharing ideas • Marketing & Funding • Visitor needs assessment • Forums • Research • Case studies • Perceived value of nature centers

27. Abundant EE Materials Questions? By catching children early, we help them create a connection to the environment and they learn to CARE about it, thus changing future behavior to a better stewardship ethic, rather than growing up to be “Impact Monsters: we spend $ on cleaning up & repairing effects of vandalism & dumping. Also creates well-informed, future voters & leaders.