SCHOOLYARD LTER - WORKSHOP EVALUATION SUMMARY

Konza Environmental Education Program

Schoolyard Long-term Ecological Research

Workshop Evaluation Summary 2006

Did you receive enough information to fully understand the projects and what your students would be involved in? What other information might you need?

I think so at this time - the web and KEEP resources will be a great help as well.
Yes, it was very helpful to participate in each activity.
To know you are an ongoing resource is invaluable.
Yes, I gained far more information then I anticipated.
A list of places/prices of equipment would help us start right away.
Yes, I have all I need and know where to get it if I find something missing.
Yes, I feel well prepared to conduct the chosen projects.
Yes, more on living things; however, it will be on a need-to-know basis.
Yes, this workshop was exceptional in giving teachers the tools they would need (knowledge and even some equipment) to go home and involve the students in research.

Did the activities help you to understand the project and what would be asked of your students?

Yes, it was a great way to go through them and have a chance to learn and ask questions ourselves. It also helped me to think through the process and logistics of each activity.
Definitely, having to do it yourself shows you what to expect, what you can expect.
Yes, it helped me to be a participant and to all see what not to do. Being an active learner was very important.
Yes, the handouts can fully explain and give the additional resources to carry out the project with kids or use to create our own individual projects. Actually doing these activities was the most helpful part of the process.
Very much so. The actual activities were extremely important, learning by doing.
Yes, I like that we got to test them all here first with guidance from experts.
Absolutely, hands-on works for us "adult" types, too!

Was it important to have the researchers give informal lectures? Why or why not?

Yes, I appreciated hearing about their projects and what they were learning; some of them really opened my eyes to an aspect I had never thought about.
Yes, this compares to the pre-activities in the project. Their material not only prepped us for the field experience activity but added to our knowledge in this area.
Yes, they all had wonderful information to share. Where else can one find so many professionals willing to share their knowledge at a summer workshop?
Yes, this is the meat of what is going on here. Good to see it in action. Get a contact in the field.
Yes, I feel like I learned a lot of useful and interesting information from the lectures.
Are you kidding? I have learned an enormous amount of information! Without it, my understanding would have been limited.
Yes, I learned a lot from their presentations and being informed makes it easier to ask questions and converse with presenters.

Did the workshop allow adequate time to prepare you for addition of these programs into your curriculum? If not, what would be an adequate time period or better method?

Yes, I felt it could have been a day or two shorter, if people really wanted to get their homework done they will still have plenty of time.
I think the time frame was ok. I would just like more feedback from you to know if what we did was what you were looking for. Regardless the time was good and we have a good start on material to use with the unit.
I believe there was plenty of time because I will continue to ponder and develop plans right into the school year.
I feel like I will need to continue to do much of my planning when I return home. I had plenty of time to develop a basic outline of my unit.
Yes, the amount of time was perfect. I did not feel rushed and was able to accomplish almost all of the curriculum development for my unit next year.

What are some suggestions to improve the workshop or Schoolyard LTER program?

More work in developing your own spreadsheet with data supplied. Although Darren was excellent in getting around to me I still felt a bit inundated with more questions than I had answers to.
Do mini-workshops, as we have discussed, in "hubs" around the state with content more specific to the prairie type.
The first several days were pretty intense. Maybe a break. Also might encourage an evening or after dinner activity, which is more social.
As a volunteer, I felt the workshop went very smoothly. I like the idea of having volunteers working with the GROW girls or whatever group you feel comfortable with.
Give us time to share ideas informally with others. The program was well organized, but we did not have time to sit and share, other than at lunch.
Give a package of equipment that deals with the particular activity selected to be done this year to help start the project. Sample worksheets (created by past participants) that pertain to the activity.
Conduct the workshop Monday - Friday. Dismiss for the weekend.
It might be easier to get a commitment from a volunteer for 3-5 days instead of the full 10 days.
Make the password protected area on the website for past participants that we discussed. Maybe have a technology pre-test.
Send a schedule and packing list to all participants prior to arrival. Allow future participants to contact past participants before they come (make the contact information available).

· Excellent – 11 of 12

· Good - 1 of 12

· OK - 0

· Poor - 0

You did a great job, I enjoyed it thoroughly. I'm so glad I was able to be here.
The sharing of resources, strategies and ideas of each person and researcher was awesome! This workshop has been a great motivator for me. Thank you for all the thought and effort that went into this workshop! It was also good to have people from all over the state participating.
Everyone was so kind and helpful and generous. You could not ask for better staff and group of volunteers.
One of the strengths of such a program is the bonding of the participants. We have all been impressed with the knowledge of subject matter and the devotion these people have toward teaching and adolescents. I know that we will continue to share and support one another in the future.
Thank you, this truly was a tremendous experience! The group of folks you have involved are amazing and so giving.
Have some follow-up gatherings for those who have been trained. They're going to be fun to share information with!
You guys are awesome! I am so impressed with the amount of work and effort that Annie and Valerie have done to create such an important program. Darren is also a tremendous resource! The docents were wonderful. And everyone here is so passionate about the prairie. It is truly an inspiration for me. Thank you!!
I will certainly recommend the KEEP SLTER program to others.