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Prairie Science Class Program Information
Mission
The mission of the Cleveland Elementary School Prairie Science Class is to use the local prairie wetlands ecosystem as an integrating and motivating context to engage fourth and fifth-grade students in science, health, and writing through real world, field-based learning experiences.
Goals
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Develop students' knowledge and skills in writing, science, health and applied math through an integrated, field-based study of the local prairie wetlands ecosystem.
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Increase student motivation and engagement through the use of authentic projects, field-based learning experiences, and a relevant local context.
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Develop students' critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills through research projects involving gathering, organizing, processing, and communicating information about the prairie wetlands environment.
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Develop students' character skills and foster a stewardship ethic, as the local environment becomes the avenue for emphasizing attitudes of respect, responsibility, and cooperation.
Current Program Partners
The Prairie Science Class is a partnership between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (USFWS) Prairie Wetlands Learning Center (PWLC) and the Fergus Falls Independent School District 544. Additional program supporters include the Friends of the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center, Fergus Falls Fish and Game Club, State of Minnesota Department of Education, the Veden Trust and the Weesner Foundation.
Program Operation
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During the 2009-2010 school year, four sections of fifth-grade students and four sections of fourth grade students are involved in the Prairie Science Class. Each section spends over two hours at the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center daily, four sections together in the morning session and four sections together in the afternoon session.
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The Prairie Science Class focuses on the curricular areas of science, writing, applied math, and health and provides opportunities for building technology and inquiry skills. These curricular areas are studied through integrated, field-based learning experiences focused on the local prairie wetlands environment. Students spend the other portion of the school day at Cleveland Elementary School, where they are taught the curricular areas of reading, math, social studies and physical education.
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In this hybrid program of place-based and traditional education, a total of eight teachers instruct Prairie Science Class students. Four ISD 544 teachers are stationed at the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center. Four ISD 544 teachers are at Cleveland School, teaching the Prairie Science Class students when they are not at the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center. Additional PSC staff include the PSC Naturalist, funded by local grant funds, and four interns hired through the Student Conservation Association, with funds provided by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
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A further program emphasis centers on utilization of teachers in training. Student teachers from Minnesota State University-Moorhead and University of Minnesota-Morris participate during both fall and spring quarters.
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Environmental Education Specialists and an environmental education intern from the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center assist with the Prairie Science Class as their schedules permit.
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The Prairie Science Class is housed in the Center's new Education Wing. The philosophy of the Prairie Science Class centers around the use of the outdoors as the main classroom. Teachers integrate grade level study of language arts, science, and applied math with study of prairies and wetlands.
Evaluation
The unique approach of the PSC, a hybrid of non-traditional and traditional education, calls for on going evaluation. The evaluations of the PSC document program outcomes for the purposes of program improvement and program justification to stakeholders and funders. Evaluation tools have included:
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Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments in math and writing and/or Measures of Academic Progress;
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Self-report of students science process, problem solving, and technology skills;
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Self-report of affective measures (students attitudes toward learning and the prairie wetlands environment and students stewardship ethic and sense of civic responsibility);
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Student interviews;
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Parent surveys and focus groups; and
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Interviews with program stakeholders and decision-makers
The intent is to have reliable, valid assessments of student learning and program outcomes, without being intrusive and taking away from instruction and learning time.
Click here for a copy of the 2005-2006 evaluation report
(512 KB Adobe pdf file).
Click here for a copy of the 2004-2005 evaluation report
(496 KB Adobe pdf file).
Click here for a copy of the 2003-2004 evaluation report
(409 KB Adobe pdf file).
Contact Information
| Cleveland Elementary School 919 Northern Avenue Fergus Falls, MN 56537 (218) 998-0544 phone (218) 998-3493 fax |
Prairie Wetlands Learning Center 602 State Highway 210 East Fergus Falls, MN 56537 (218) 998-4480 (218) 736-0941 fax |
Minnesota Relay by dialing 711 or 1-800-627-3529 (V/TTY/ASCII)
Prairie Science Class Daily Schedule 2009-2010 School Year
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A Guide to the Prairie Science Class
(313 KB Adobe pdf file) - Student Work
