Needs Assessment for Data-Driven Planning of a National Expansion of a Professional Development Program for Residential Outdoor Science Schools

• In Event: 70.052 - Researching Policies and Programs: Critical Analysis of Assessments and Evaluation Measures

Abstract

The paper describes the design, administration, and use of findings from a survey of nationwide residential outdoor science (ROS) schools. The purpose of the survey was a needs assessment of ROS program leaders regarding science teaching and learning professional development of staff field instructors or teacher-naturalists. This paper presents the Better Environmental Education, Teaching, Learning, Expertise and Sharing (BEETLES) project as the case example, specifically for illuminating the processes of development and implementation of the needs assessment survey. Key themes about ROS programs and how the survey findings were used to inform the ongoing development of the BEETLES project. The utility of the findings are intended for the development and improvement of ROS and environmental education programs.

Authors

• Valeria Romero, University of California - Berkeley

• Juna Z. Snow, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• Bernadette S. Chi, University of California - Berkeley