| A qualitative study was conducted for the purpose of examining the effects of an innovative program on students' botanical conceptions. The third grade students participated in a program which involved bringing in senior citizens and other adults from the surrounding community to engage in informal science experiences, and work together on environmental service projects. The school has been designated a "priority school" due to the high number of students considered "at risk" of dropping out. The program was conducted at a school-owned residence complete with garden and kitchen which could accommodate a wide range of hands-on activities.;The program incorporated a number of educational innovations. Empowerment of the students, cooperative learning, integration of the lessons with subjects across the curriculum, multisensory experiences, teaching for concept development, tieing the science taught to the children's everyday experiences, and use of noncoercive management of the classroom. The study consisted of interviews, sorting tasks, journal entries, and comparisons of drawings of plants and scientists both early in the program and towards its end. Supporting evidence for the effects of the program came from observations and interviews of the other adult participants, and data collected from other children who had the same teachers but did not participate in the program provide comparative evidence.;The objectives investigated in the study were self-esteem, knowledge gain, skills development, attitudes and classroom behavior. The program was found to be most effective in enhancing the children's self-esteem. Other effects varied with each child and are discussed in individual vignettes written about the participants. The overwhelming success of the program led not only to an abundance of publicity for the program, but to its being awarded the President's Environmental Youth Award for 1994. A trip to Washington, D.C. with ten of the children provided the opportunity to revisit with the children and gauge the longitudinal effects of the program. The resulting data lead to recommendations for establishing similar programs, and suggestions for further research. |
