Program Information
Mission
The mission of the Fergus Falls Middle School Prairie Science Class is to use the local prairie wetlands ecosystem as an integrating and motivating context to engage 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, Mildred R. Thompson Family, Everett Jacobson Family, Bank of the West, Dr. Craig Rude, and John Demuth Family.
Program Operation
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During the 2008-2009 school year, four sections of fifth-grade students and four sections of fourth grades students;(245 students total) 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 rest of the school day at the Fergus Falls Middle School, where the remainder of math concepts and the curricular areas of reading, social studies, physical education, and health are covered.
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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.
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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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In addition, 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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While the Prairie Science Class is housed in the Center's new Education Wing, much of the learning time is spent in the field.
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The environmental education programs traditionally offered by the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center continue, with the Prairie Science Class complementing, rather than replacing, the existing environmental education programs offered to schools and other educational groups.
Evaluation
The evaluation documents program outcomes for the purposes of program improvement and program justification to stakeholders and funders. Evaluation tools include:
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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).
You will need Adobe Reader software to open the documents above. If you do not have this software, please visit our links page.
Vision for the Future
Potential future plans include expanding the program to include students in multiple grade levels. Stakeholders will support efforts of other schools to develop their own version of the Prairie Science Class using this one as a model. There is the added potential for professional internship opportunities, a pre-service teacher training element, and graduate coursework in partnership with universities, providing training and research opportunities in integrated, project-based, and field-based instructional methods.
