Theses and Dissertations at Montana State University (MSU)
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Item Exploring how children use science process skills in a museum setting(Montana State University - Bozeman, Graduate School, 2014) Lundgren, Lisa Marie; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Peggy Taylor.The Florida Museum of Natural History is constructing a new and improved Discovery Room for children. The use of science process skills such as observation, communication, measurement, classification, inference, and prediction had not been studied. In order to ensure scientifically appropriate stations in the new exhibit, research into how children use these skills was conducted in the existing Discovery Room. Children were observed and timed during their visit. Guardians of the children were interviewed or surveyed after the visit was completed. Analysis indicated that dynamic stations, such as the Wind Tunnel, enticed children more than static stations, like a wall-sized Memory Game. In order to ensure success in the Discovery Room that will be constructed in 2015, the Discovery Room should feature dynamic stations that engage science process skills such as prediction and inference.Item The informal classroom : evaluating the effects of a continuing medical education program on science learning and attitudes in medical students, residents and physicians(Montana State University - Bozeman, Graduate School, 2014) Guajardo, Lily; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Peggy Taylor.Continuing medical education programs play an important role is disseminating current scientific and clinical information to our medical and health care community adult learners. This research study aimed to evaluate the effects of our education programs on science learning and attitudes, observe preferred learning environments and adult learning theories, and to update our evaluation process. The data revealed that learning method preference is dependent on the content of the education program, and that many of our programs, specifically those based on science concepts, followed that preference. Because many of our programs followed the preferred learning style for that specified content, we saw positive observations throughout those programs. This data will help to revitalize our programs, in turn, helping to meet our educational goals and those goals set forth for our members.Item Setting them up for success : investigating the efficacy of the Philadelphia Zoo's outreach educator training program, an informal science education project(Montana State University - Bozeman, Graduate School, 2011) Yordan, Andrea Gissing; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Peggy Taylor.Irrespective of the forum in which they teach, it is necessary for all educators to receive proper training before they can truly be effective teachers. This study investigated the current methods used to train the outreach educators working in the Philadelphia Zoo's Zoo on Wheels (ZOW) department. Using a combination of employee surveys and quiz, and interviews, this study examined the three areas which outreach staff need to be trained in order to be effective educators: animal handling, scientific knowledge, and the development of teaching and presentation skills. The results indicated that areas with defined training protocols had the highest levels of educator confidence and efficacy. Outreach employees indicated that knowledge acquisition is the weakest area in terms of formal training, with educators being responsible for developing their knowledge base on their own.