Does a Hands-on, Visual Presentation about Wildlife to Elementary Students Impact Local Awareness about Wildlife Rescue?

School Name

Chapin High School

Grade Level

11th Grade

Presentation Topic

Psychology and Sociology

Presentation Type

Non-Mentored

Oral Presentation Award

4th Place

Written Paper Award

2nd Place

Abstract

Wildlife rescue centers take in injured or abandoned wild animals with the goal of rehabilitating them to be released back into their natural environment Rescue Advice, 2016]. The public lacks general knowledge about how and when to intervene in the lives of wild animals, which has a negative impact on both wildlife and the rescue centers themselves (Help! I’ve Found an Animal, 2016) (Seacrist, September 7, 2016). This study specifically investigates how a hands-on, visual presentation about wildlife to elementary students impacts local awareness about wildlife rescue. Students ages 6 to 8 at Harbison West Elementary School were tested for their knowledge about wildlife behavior and rescue before and after a hands-on educational presentation was given in partnership with the Carolina Wildlife Center. The same pre and post surveys were given to their parents, who were not present for the program, in anticipation of the students possibly sharing the new information. It is important for awareness of these topics to spread so that wild animals are not unnecessarily separated from their habitat or mother, their survival instincts aren’t altered, and the resources of wildlife rescue centers are saved for the animals who truly need help. Results indicate that elementary education is an effective method for increasing overall local awareness about wildlife behavior and rescue, most significantly among students and to a less significant extent among parents.

Location

Wall 308

Start Date

3-25-2017 9:15 AM

Presentation Format

Oral and Written

Group Project

No

COinS
 
Mar 25th, 9:15 AM

Does a Hands-on, Visual Presentation about Wildlife to Elementary Students Impact Local Awareness about Wildlife Rescue?

Wall 308

Wildlife rescue centers take in injured or abandoned wild animals with the goal of rehabilitating them to be released back into their natural environment Rescue Advice, 2016]. The public lacks general knowledge about how and when to intervene in the lives of wild animals, which has a negative impact on both wildlife and the rescue centers themselves (Help! I’ve Found an Animal, 2016) (Seacrist, September 7, 2016). This study specifically investigates how a hands-on, visual presentation about wildlife to elementary students impacts local awareness about wildlife rescue. Students ages 6 to 8 at Harbison West Elementary School were tested for their knowledge about wildlife behavior and rescue before and after a hands-on educational presentation was given in partnership with the Carolina Wildlife Center. The same pre and post surveys were given to their parents, who were not present for the program, in anticipation of the students possibly sharing the new information. It is important for awareness of these topics to spread so that wild animals are not unnecessarily separated from their habitat or mother, their survival instincts aren’t altered, and the resources of wildlife rescue centers are saved for the animals who truly need help. Results indicate that elementary education is an effective method for increasing overall local awareness about wildlife behavior and rescue, most significantly among students and to a less significant extent among parents.