Resource: http://ecoquest.ca/
Situation and Background
I spent four months being directly involved in the Ecoquest program as I spent the Internship phase of my teacher training there. During this time, I came to realize that this program provides students with unique and often superior opportunities as compared to traditional classroom learning.
This outdoor education program is built around three main theme pillars: A Sense of Place, A Sense of Time and A Sense of Quality which seamlessly integrate all of the required academic subjects in settings which bring the learning to life for students.
In light of my obvious admiration of this program, I would be very interested to conduct an outcome-based evaluation to substantiate my suspicions of this program’s effectiveness.
Inputs
(What is invested)
Staff: Instructors, In-school Administrators, Superintendents, Board of Directors
Partners: Community Leaders, Various cultural organizations, Sponsors (Private and Corporate), guest speakers and various topic experts
Money: Program funding for activities, equipment, transportation, and facility is provided by the Saskatoon Public School System as well as private and corporate sponsors. The facility is provided by Buena Vista Public School.
Research: The program is based on Scott Thompson’s Graduate Studies Thesis in Outdoor Education.
Outputs
Activities (What is done)
The program’s activities revolve around the following three challenges:
1. Academic Challenge:
Relevant and meaningful learning takes place through first hand experience and exploration in the best place possible. Students work independently or in small groups to complete challenging projects. They are given increased responsibility for their learning and they are expected to manage their time and to make decisions that enhance achievement. The teachers facilitate and guide this learning process.
2. Physical Challenge:
This program provides a strong physical challenge as students are very active in outdoor pursuits on a daily basis. Cycling, running, walking, paddling, nordic skiing, snowshoeing, wall climbing and camping in the outdoors requires an excellent fitness level and Ecoquest supports improved fitness and healthy attitudes as a way of life.
3. Emotional Challenge:
This program provides a unique and dramatic emotional challenge. Students form a close-knit community as they work together to solve problems academically, socially, and physically in a variety of challenging environments. Students take immense pride in their independence, responsibility, and success in the face of real life outdoor challenges (in all types of weather) Their confidence grows with each new accomplishment, their self-esteem is greatly enhanced and they develop emotional resilience.
Participation (Who is reached)
(What is invested)
Staff: Instructors, In-school Administrators, Superintendents, Board of Directors
Partners: Community Leaders, Various cultural organizations, Sponsors (Private and Corporate), guest speakers and various topic experts
Money: Program funding for activities, equipment, transportation, and facility is provided by the Saskatoon Public School System as well as private and corporate sponsors. The facility is provided by Buena Vista Public School.
Research: The program is based on Scott Thompson’s Graduate Studies Thesis in Outdoor Education.
Outputs
Activities (What is done)
The program’s activities revolve around the following three challenges:
1. Academic Challenge:
Relevant and meaningful learning takes place through first hand experience and exploration in the best place possible. Students work independently or in small groups to complete challenging projects. They are given increased responsibility for their learning and they are expected to manage their time and to make decisions that enhance achievement. The teachers facilitate and guide this learning process.
2. Physical Challenge:
This program provides a strong physical challenge as students are very active in outdoor pursuits on a daily basis. Cycling, running, walking, paddling, nordic skiing, snowshoeing, wall climbing and camping in the outdoors requires an excellent fitness level and Ecoquest supports improved fitness and healthy attitudes as a way of life.
3. Emotional Challenge:
This program provides a unique and dramatic emotional challenge. Students form a close-knit community as they work together to solve problems academically, socially, and physically in a variety of challenging environments. Students take immense pride in their independence, responsibility, and success in the face of real life outdoor challenges (in all types of weather) Their confidence grows with each new accomplishment, their self-esteem is greatly enhanced and they develop emotional resilience.
Participation (Who is reached)
This program targets Grade 8 students from the public school system in Saskatoon. A class is comprised of 14 male and 14 female students.
Outcomes
(What are the results)
Short-Term
Students in the Ecoquest (Grade 8) Outdoor Classroom develop:
-A strong sense of community with fellow classmates, teachers, and community partners.
-A greater knowledge and appreciation of the History of Saskatchewan and its relationship to Canadian and global issues.
-A greater awareness of Social Justice issues.
-Cultural awareness and appreciation.
-Greater knowledge and appreciation of the fragility of Saskatchewan's natural environment and ecological regions.
-A heightened sense of accomplishment, confidence, and self worth.
-Leadership, risk management, and cooperative group skills necessary in adventure education.
-A responsible attitude towards learning and problem solving.
-Growth in positive communication and observational skills.
-Improved research, writing, and presentation skills.
-A dedication to physical fitness and healthy lifestyles.
-Skills that underlie academic excellence and achievement in all subject areas.
-An ability to think critically about ecological, cultural, and community issues.
-A dedication to physical fitness and healthy lifestyles.
Medium-Term
-Student becomes a part of a learning community that fosters mutual respect through environmental and socially responsible activism.
-Student engages in environmental and socially responsible activism.
-Student seeks out opportunities to learn more about the natural world and different cultural groups.
-Student tackles new challenges with confidence and a positive attitude.
-Student participates in health-enhancing activities including exercise and good nutrition.
Long-Term Impacts
Student reaches his or her full intellectual, emotional, social and physical potential.
Student engages in life-long learning and enjoyment of the natural world and its inhabitants including different cultural groups.
Student receives satisfaction from his or her connection to and appreciation of the natural world.
Student spends quality time in outdoors in nature.
Student’s value system incorporates a need to protect and enjoy the natural world.
Student maintains a healthy life style.
Student maintains a sense of:
• Challenge
• Adventure
• Leadership
• Community
• Teamwork
• Reflection
• Commitment
• Independence
• Responsibility
• Initiative
• Comfort Zone
• Respect
• Confidence
• Excitement
• Wonder
• Cooperation
• Caring
• Safety
• Comfort Zone
• Respect
• Confidence
• Excitement
• Wonder
• Cooperation
• Caring
• Safety
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