Date of Award

12-22-2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Communication

First Advisor

Mary Harner

Committee Members

Amy Nebesniak; Jessica Hample; Tiffani Luethke

Keywords

Biology;Elementary school-aged students;Informal science communication;Nebraska animals;Place-based education;Summer camp

Abstract

There are numerous methods to communicate science, and one such method aims at increasing participants’ personal responses (awareness, enjoyment, interest, opinion, and understanding) of science. Informal science learning experiences, such as summer camps, are excellent settings to communicate science to young people. In addition, summer camps offer several opportunities to decrease the negative effects of the summer slide, a phenomenon that refers to the loss of students’ math and reading skills over the summer. For this study, I sought to build on this foundation and develop an informal learning experience for young people to communicate the science of native animals in Nebraska. I developed Cool Critters, a weeklong summer camp for elementary-aged students that encompassed informal science learning, place-based education, and outdoor learning to increase participants' awareness, enjoyment, interest, opinion, and understanding of Nebraska animals. In 2023, I led Cool Critters at three educational programs in Kearney, Nebraska, reaching sixty-six children. A research component measured the effectiveness of the communicated science, as well as whether voluntary/involuntary participation, gender, or grade level affected personal responses. Pre- and post-camp surveys of youth participants and post-camp surveys of their parents/guardians helped determine the camp's success in terms of effective science communication. Statistical tests detected increases in youths’ enjoyment, interest, and opinion of Nebraska animals from participating in Cool Critters, as reported by the youth participants, as well as their parents/guardians. There were no significant differences detected in youths’ enjoyment, interest, and opinion of Nebraska animals based on involuntary/voluntary participation, gender, or grade level, with the minor exception of higher enjoyment of Nebraska animals before camp for students entering second grade compared to those entering higher grades. The ultimate goal of Cool Critters was to create a memorable informal science learning experience for youth while also effectively communicating the science of Nebraska animals.

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