Assessment

Without measurable evidence of changes in the knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of the participants after completing an activity, we can only say we "think" changes have occurred in these areas.

As the Nature's Partners experience is completed, it is important to have evidence of gains in knowledge and understanding of:

• the fundamentals of plant reproduction;
• the unique nature of the primary pollinators: bees;
• the role pollinators play in maintaining the ecosystem and productivity of agriculture; and
• actions necessary to protect and encourage the growth of pollinator populations.

Changes in Attitudes & Behaviors

Besides factual knowledge, we are also interested in the attitudes and behaviors that result from participating in the activities of this curriculum:

• How have participant's perspectives changed about:

— the nature of bees?
— the importance of bees to the availability of foods and fibers?
— the use of pesticides?
— the development of lands?
— the need to take an active role in protecting pollinators?

• What changes will they make or activities will they participate in to:

  — make their environment more pollinator-friendly?
  — educate others about the importance of protecting pollinators?

We propose assessing changes in knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors both in pre-assessment and post-assessment projects:

1. Pre-Assessment

• To determine gains in factual knowledge, the group will participate in a pre-assessment activity, in which they will brainstorm and fill in a wall-sized chart, "What Do We Know About Plants?" to establish a base-line of knowledge.
  
• Near the end of the Nature's Partners experience, this activity will be repeated and new knowledge will be added to the chart, or an additional chart may be used for recording the participants' input.
  
• Pre-Assessment Activity

2. Post-Assessment

• An open discussion using the following topics will be used as talking points can give insight to how participants' perspectives have changed:

  — attitudes about bees,
  — use of pesticides,
  — development of lands,
  — need to protect pollinators,

Someone will write down the ideas expressed on a large paper pad that all the participants can see. These group notes will be reviewed by evaluators.

• Activity sheets and Field Observation Journals will also serve as a record of gains in knowledge and understanding. These can be collected and reviewed by leaders and evaluators.
  
• A group photo journal of the group service project, and any other activities undertaken as a group or as individuals, will contain annotations from the participants and will provide important evidence of attitudinal and behavioral changes that have taken place because of involvement in the Nature's Partners experience.
  
• Post-Assessment Activity