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Full-Text Articles in Education
Participatory Evaluation And Needs Assessment Tools For Cooperative Extension In A Virtual Environment, Karen A. Vines
Participatory Evaluation And Needs Assessment Tools For Cooperative Extension In A Virtual Environment, Karen A. Vines
The Journal of Extension
The Cooperative Extension organization could be categorized as a participatory organization because of our focus on local needs in driving our work. The pandemic moved a lot of our work to online platforms. This article reflects on use of online tools for program evaluation and needs assessment. Online focus groups were successful in gathering high quality data from a diverse and geographically dispersed population for program evaluation and as part of a needs assessment process. Coupling the focus groups with a modified World Café approach allowed us to go beyond identification of needs to prioritization and development of potential solutions.
Building Volunteer Engagement In The Tennessee Extension Master Gardener Program From The Ground Up, Natalie Bumgarner, Debb Wilcox, Hannah Wright, Anna Duncan, Rachel Painter, Melody T. Rose, Lee Sammons, Celeste Scott, Gregg Upchurch
Building Volunteer Engagement In The Tennessee Extension Master Gardener Program From The Ground Up, Natalie Bumgarner, Debb Wilcox, Hannah Wright, Anna Duncan, Rachel Painter, Melody T. Rose, Lee Sammons, Celeste Scott, Gregg Upchurch
The Journal of Extension
This study was designed to assess key volunteer attitudes and perceptions about local and state Extension Master Gardener (EMG) volunteer programs. EMG volunteers in Tennessee completed a total of 759 surveys between January 22 and March 10, 2020. Survey responses showed there was a strong positive perception of local EMG groups and the connection with the University of Tennessee system overall. When respondents were segmented, answers to key questions showed illuminating differences between volunteers with positive and neutral or negative views of the program. The variations in answers show areas of potential emphasis to support healthy local group culture and …
Sustainable Polymers: New 4-H Stem Curricula, Steven Worker, Jennifer Mccambridge, Anne Stevenson, Jane Fields, Alexa Maille, C L. Meehan, Amie Mondl, Charles Malone, Martin H. Smith
Sustainable Polymers: New 4-H Stem Curricula, Steven Worker, Jennifer Mccambridge, Anne Stevenson, Jane Fields, Alexa Maille, C L. Meehan, Amie Mondl, Charles Malone, Martin H. Smith
The Journal of Extension
There are many environmental issues surrounding the global production and use of plastics. Three science curricula (Grades K-2, 3-5, and 6-8) were developed to introduce youth to the past, present, and future of plastics. Designed using research-based methods and grounded in effective science pedagogy, the curricula provide young people opportunities to explore viable alternatives to plastics and develop knowledge and skills necessary to help mitigate environmental impacts associated with the production, use and disposal of plastics. Evaluation results demonstrated that youth improved their understanding of polymers and intention to help reduce impacts of plastics on the environment.