Project WET Field Test:

1. Project WET Field Test: Who, Why, and How

2. Who is SAMPI? • Science and Mathematics Program Improvement is part of Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo • We conduct evaluations for educational programs of various kinds, including K-16 schools, non-formal educators, and regional or statewide systems • Mark Jenness is the director • Cynthia Halderson is the senior research assistant • Crystal Stein is the office coordinator • Jack Christensen is the webinar coordinator

3. Our History with Project WET • SAMPI conducted a national field test for first- generation Project WET activities with classroom teachers and non-school educators in 1994 • Field reviews involved scientists, DNR, conservation and other environmental professionals • All comments were summarized and reported to Project WET staff for revision of activities

4. Project WET writers’ feedback • Writers will tell you: activities in the Project WET Curriculum and Activity Guide were much more effective as a result of field testers’ sharing their experiences and detailed suggestions for improvement

5. How Feedback Works • SAMPI staff assign activities for review • Activities will be sent to you as available • Make plans for testing activities with your students • Take notes of any questions or confusion during the field test • While the experience is fresh, complete the appropriate Feedback Form

6. Accessing Feedback Forms • Teachers complete an on-line Feedback Form at the address in their assignment e-mail • Non-school educators can access their Feedback Form from the SAMPI website: www.wmich.edu/sampi/current-projects.html • Back-up forms and a copy of this presentation are also available at the SAMPI website above.

7. What Feedback is Requested The Feedback Form has six parts: • Describe: activity, teacher, students, and setting • How activity was used • Clarity of activity layout • Activity content • Activity effectiveness • Summarizing comments

8. Most Useful Information • Rating items tell us whether various parts of an activity are working or not • Your comments provide the most useful information • Identify any part of the activity students found confusing • Describe what you did to clarify • Identify any part that students found difficult • Describe what you did to provide missing information so students could continue

9. General Guidelines • Read through all parts of the activity when planning • Gather any instructional resources needed • Conduct all parts of the activity with students • Take notes on both planning and implementation, including any student difficulties • Complete the Feedback Form while impressions are fresh in mind

10. How to Contact Us • To see this presentation again, go to the SAMPI website: http://www.wmich.edu/sampi/current-projects.html • If you have difficulty with the online Classroom Teacher Feedback Form, contact Crystal Stein at crystal.stein@wmich.edu • Non-school educators should e-mail their Feedback Forms to Crystal Stein at crystal.stein@wmich.edu

11. Benefits to Project WET • Informed, professional feedback based on use of the activity with learners of various ages in a variety of settings to use for revision • Suggestions for additional resources – technological, literary, informational • Wider awareness across the country of new water-related educational activities

12. Benefits to You • New activities to use with your student groups • The opportunity for Project WET to acknowledge your contribution to an administrator or superordinate • A free copy of the Generation 2 Project WET Curriculum and Activity Guide • Your name and organizational affiliation listed as field testers in the new Guide