Research Plan
Dr. Debra Banks, independent consultant and formerly Director of Evaluation and Assessment for CRESMET, developed evaluation tools for Service at Salado. The overarching goal of the Service at the Salado project is to create after-school clubs that engage children in a local environmental project while performing a valuable community service. Additional goals include:
- Goal: Learn content and build skills in the following areas: scientific protocols, restoration ecology, mapping skills, use of technology (GPS units, digital camera, handheld computers), communication skills (interpretation, teaching).
- Goal: Learning about service: leadership skills, role of being a community member, community awareness and environmental stewardship.
- Goal: Learning about ASU and career opportunities: technology, science, and park-service careers.
- Goal: Identify a community need and choose and implement an environmental service-learning project to address this need.
The club members are taking pre- and post- civic participation surveys and completing pre- and post-writing samples about their education plans beyond high school and linkages to career interests. The ASU interns are using a grading rubric to assess each of the club members on teamwork, leadership skills, ability to use scientific protocols and technology. Banks will conduct analysis of all data, including pre-, mid-, and post-focus groups with the ASU interns.
See a complete evaluation plan matrix for the project. [PDF file]
Read the evaluation results from our first semester (Spring ’04)
[PDF file]
Read the Fall 2004 Evaluation Report [PDF file]
