USGS / NSTA
Overall Findings
Both survey and focus groups were enthusiastic about the water poster series. All USGS materials and the NSTA guide to USGS water posters were highly rated by educators. Recommendations for improvement and ideas for new education materials demonstrate both the depth of need and confidence in USGS to produce education materials that educators want to use.
Both survey and focus group participants expressed a need for:
- Localized education materials, using or linking to local maps, watershed maps and photos (i.e. they expressed a preference for "realistic" information to complement education objectives)
- Posters accompanied by more details about how to use them, using the USGS Teacher Packet format
- An ecosystem focus for new education materials
- Inter-active education activities and resources
- Videos or power point presentations on a variety of earth science and ecosystem topics
Key Survey Results:
- Posters are used primarily as an attractive hand-out to individuals and educators at a wide variety of events
- Posters are considered invaluable by respondents who would even be willing to pay for bulk orders of posters, if necessary
- Respondents could use a variety of other materials - particularly, hands-on activities; outreach kits; demonstration materials; and career education resources
- Respondents would like USGS and web site promotion items to give away at events
Key Focus Group Results:
- Improve organization of web site to make resources more accessible
- Emphasize use of the Teacher Packet format for providing materials
- Adapt materials to meet particular needs of non-formal educators (laminated or suited for use in the outdoor environment, provide quick overview or conclusion activities, show link to field experiences, use real models or localized information)
- Provide additional posters or packets focusing on the functioning of natural systems
- Provide realistic education materials and reference or relate all materials to local concerns (a good role for the state USGS office)
- Increase emphasis on open-ended and student directed activities. Emphasize or reference science process skills.
- Educators liked the focus group setting as a way of learning from each other about the value and uses of USGS and NSTA materials.
- Educators would like USGS or other designated professionals to work with them more directly to improve their understanding of materials and how to use them.
Click here to download a copy of the findings of this USGS Focus Group study.
For more information please contact the Environmental Resources Center, University of Wisconsin at 1-800-WATER20 or erc@uwex.edu.