Developing a Curriculum to Conserve the Critically Endangered Mariana Crow (67295)
Session Chair: Maria Mayan
Friday, January 6, 2023 (11:45)
Session: Session 2
Room: 317B
Presentation Type:Oral Presentation
The Mariana crow (Corvus kubaryi), also called Åga, is critically endangered and endemic to the Mariana Island of Rota. Environmental education and citizen science is an underutilized component of conservation strategy on Rota. This study developed and implemented an avian environmental education curriculum and evaluated the curriculum's influence on attitudes and knowledge using critical and interpretive social science research methods, including surveys, observational field notes, and formative evaluations. The curriculum utilizes storytelling and citizen science as pedagogical methods, thus incorporating culturally appropriate methods while providing practical training and empowerment to contribute to scientific efforts. Fifth and sixth grade student identification of and attitudes toward Åga were measured before and after curriculum implementation. In the treatment group, Åga identification increased by 39%, and identification of birds commonly misidentified as Åga increased up to 72%. A chi-square test found that treatment group changes were statistically significant at the .1 level. A two-tailed t-test found significant improvement in the treatment group concerning overall ecological knowledge. A chi-square test showed that treatment group attitudes improved toward chasing Åga significantly at the .1 level. A longer-term study and a teacher-training component are recommended, notably to expand student and teacher participation to increase the sample size from 36 students. The framework of the curriculum in the study can be used to develop other, place-based inclusive pedagogies. This study has implications to the conservation of endangered and endemic Hawaiian birds, and preparing communities for involvement in conservation efforts.
Authors:
Emily Cook, Independent Researcher, United States
Alison Ormsby, University of North Carolina, Asheville, United States
About the Presenter(s)
Ms Emily Cook is an Independent Researcher.
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