%0 Journal Article
%T Relevance, Rigor, and Relationships: Student Perceptions Following Participation in an Integrated Experiential Zoo-Based Academic High School Science Program
%A Elizabeth A. Mulkerrin
%A John W. Hill
%J Creative Education
%P 287-297
%@ 2151-4771
%D 2013
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/ce.2013.44043
%X <p>
	<span style=\"font-size:8.5pt;\">The purpose of this
survey study was to compare students¡¯ measured Likert scale perceptions of
posttest school climate survey, relevance, rigor, and relationships domain
scores following 11th- and 12th-grade participation in either an integrated
experiential zoo-based academic high school science program (<i>n</i> = 18) or a same school district
integrated experiential school-based academic high school science program (<i>n</i> = 18). Science coursework delivery
site served as the study¡¯s independent variable. ACT composite scores and
science grade point average scores were equivalent for students participating
in both science programs. Students participating in the zoo-based experiential
academic high school science program completed real world, hands-on projects
on-site at a nationally recognized zoo while same school district control group
students participating in the integrated experiential school-based academic
high school science program completed matched curriculum, real world, simulated
projects in their classrooms. Students who completed the integrated
experiential zoo-based academic high school science program compared to control
group students had statistically greater posttest Likert scale perceptions of
program relevance where independent <i>t</i>(34)
= 4.13, <i>p</i> = .0002 (two-tailed), ES =
1.410; program rigor <i>t</i>(34) = 3.66, <i>p</i> = .0008 (two-tailed), ES = 1.237; and
program relationships <i>t</i>(34) = 4.98, <i>p</i> &lt; .0001 (two-tailed), ES = 1.690. The
importance of these powerfully held beliefs for students¡¯ successful
participation in their future science studies is discussed.</span><span style=\"font-size:8.5pt;\"></span> 
</p>
%K Zoo-Based
%K Experiential
%K High School Science Program
%K Relevance
%K Rigor
%K Relationships
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=29732