Srm 07 Presentation

8/6/2019 Srm 07 Presentation

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Three Year Three Year Evaluation of NorthEvaluation of North

Dakota Youth RangeDakota Youth RangeCampCamp

Joshua M. PetersonJoshua M. Peterson

Department of Animal and Range ScienceDepartment of Animal and Range ScienceNorth Dakota State University, Fargo, NDNorth Dakota State University, Fargo, ND


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O verviewO verview

B ackground and Camp OverviewB ackground and Camp OverviewSurvey InstrumentSurvey Instrument

ResultsResultsConclusions and RecommendationsConclusions and Recommendations

Future StudyFuture Study


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B ackgroundB ackground

North Dakota Youth Range Camp is designed toNorth Dakota Youth Range Camp is designed toteach range and natural resources managementteach range and natural resources managementto the state's young people.to the state's young people.

Instruction is done primarily through experientialInstruction is done primarily through experientiallearning.learning.

North Dakota 4North Dakota 4- -H and FFA Range JudgingH and FFA Range JudgingContest provides the base curriculum.Contest provides the base curriculum.Camp provides interaction between youth andCamp provides interaction between youth andrangeland professionals.rangeland professionals.


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Camp O verviewCamp O verview

Camp is held at Logging Camp Ranch, near Camp is held at Logging Camp Ranch, near Amidon, ND, within the North Dakota B adlands Amidon, ND, within the North Dakota B adlandsRegion.Region.

Camp is held in midCamp is held in mid- -June and begins TuesdayJune and begins Tuesdayat noon and runs through Friday.at noon and runs through Friday.

A mixture of presentations and hands A mixture of presentations and hands- -ononlearning is used to teach technical skills in rangelearning is used to teach technical skills in rangemanagement.management.


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Camp O verviewCamp O verviewCampers compete in both team and individualCampers compete in both team and individualevents throughout the week.events throughout the week.

An awards ceremony is held at the close of camp. An awards ceremony is held at the close of camp. All students receive a certificate of completion All students receive a certificate of completionand prizes. Special recognition is given to topand prizes. Special recognition is given to top

judgers and teams. judgers and teams.

Research shows other life skills can beResearch shows other life skills can bedeveloped through these activities (Rusk et. al.developed through these activities (Rusk et. al.2002, Hansen et. al. 2003, Nash and Sant 2005).2002, Hansen et. al. 2003, Nash and Sant 2005).


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S urvey InstrumentS urvey Instrument

The survey instrument was a panelThe survey instrument was a panel- -reviewed questionnaire designed toreviewed questionnaire designed to

measure learning in three categories:measure learning in three categories:Development of understanding of rangelandDevelopment of understanding of rangelandresourcesresources

Skill development of campers in identifyingSkill development of campers in identifyingimportant range conceptsimportant range concepts

Camp organization and group processesCamp organization and group processes


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S urvey InstrumentS urvey Instrument

The survey was administered just prior to theThe survey was administered just prior to theawards ceremony on Friday.awards ceremony on Friday.

Participants were asked to rate each conceptParticipants were asked to rate each conceptor activity using a 5or activity using a 5- -point Likert scalepoint Likert scale(1=Strongly Disagree, 5=Strongly Agree).(1=Strongly Disagree, 5=Strongly Agree).

Additional open Additional open- -ended questions were askedended questions were askedto determine individual learning and insureto determine individual learning and insurevalidity.validity.


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S tatistical AnalysisS tatistical AnalysisData was compiled and analyzed using theData was compiled and analyzed using theStatistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).Minimum, Maximum, Mean and StandardMinimum, Maximum, Mean and StandardDeviation were calculated.Deviation were calculated.

An ANOVA was done to look for variations An ANOVA was done to look for variationsamong years.among years.

Independent samples tIndependent samples t- -tests were used for tests were used for categories showing significant variance (P


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S tatistical AnalysisS tatistical Analysis

Chronbach's Alpha was used to determine theChronbach's Alpha was used to determine thereliability of the responses.reliability of the responses.

According to Nunnaly (1978) a number over According to Nunnaly (1978) a number over 0.7 is considered reliable.0.7 is considered reliable.The Alpha coefficient for this survey was 0.875The Alpha coefficient for this survey was 0.875indicating a high degree of reliability.indicating a high degree of reliability.


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ResultsResultsUnderstanding of RangelandUnderstanding of RangelandResourcesResources

Mean scores were above 4 in all categoriesMean scores were above 4 in all categoriesexcept GPS.except GPS.

Standard deviation was


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ResultsResultsUnderstanding RangelandUnderstanding RangelandResourcesResources

79Valid N (listwise)

.4774.725386Overgrazing

.7294.345186ConservationPlanning

.6214.575388Stocking Rates

1.2673.615183GPS

.5604.685287Natural ResourceManagement

.7764.345286Range Improvement

.6074.475387Rangeland Ecology

Std.DeviationMeanMaximumMinimumNCategory


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ResultsResultsS

kill Development: Range ConceptsS

kill Development: Range ConceptsMean scores were above 4 in all categoriesMean scores were above 4 in all categoriesexcept Management.except Management.

Standard deviation was


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ResultsResultsS

kill Development: Range ConceptsS

kill Development: Range Concepts


.8084.275285Noxious weeds

.6624.525287Wildlife Component

.9394.055187Riparian

1.2183.875187Management

.7004.375288Grasses

.6824.365287Soils

.6914.575288Plant ID

Std.Deviatio

nMeanMaximumMinimumNCategory


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ResultsResults

CampO

rganization/Group ProcessesCampO

rganization/Group ProcessesMean scores were above 4 in most categories.Mean scores were above 4 in most categories.The Hike in the Park and Range Game hadThe Hike in the Park and Range Game had

means of 3.96 and 3.91, respectively.means of 3.96 and 3.91, respectively.Standard deviation was


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ResultsResults

CampO

rganization/Group ProcessesCampO

rganization/Group Processes


.8104.325188Help Others Learn

.9493.915145Range Game

.7384.255285Team Learning

.6434.275385Teamwork

1.2673.965185Hike in the Park

Std.Deviatio

nMeanMaximumMinimumNCategory


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ResultsResults

Variation Among YearsVariation Among YearsSignificant variance (P


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DiscussionDiscussion

The format of the GPS category wasThe format of the GPS category wasaltered between year 1 and 2.altered between year 1 and 2.

Year 1, in which the highest score wasYear 1, in which the highest score wasachieved, a handsachieved, a hands- -on technique for the GPSon technique for the GPSactivity was used.activity was used.In subsequent years, the GPS learningIn subsequent years, the GPS learning

activity was presented in lecture style.activity was presented in lecture style.Years 2 & 3 had a lower mean score.Years 2 & 3 had a lower mean score.tt--test results also fit this analysis.test results also fit this analysis.


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A lower mean and higher standard A lower mean and higher standarddeviation for the Management categorydeviation for the Management category

were consistent throughout years.were consistent throughout years.This most likely indicates a general weaknessThis most likely indicates a general weaknessin the teaching of management practices.in the teaching of management practices.


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Over the three year period, the NoxiousOver the three year period, the NoxiousWeed category had three differentWeed category had three different

presenters and styles.presenters and styles.The presentation style with the highest meanThe presentation style with the highest meanscore included live plants with hands onscore included live plants with hands oninteraction.interaction.


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Variations in data for the Hike in the Park areVariations in data for the Hike in the Park arelikely due to two factors:likely due to two factors:

The difficulty rating of the hikes was relatively low inThe difficulty rating of the hikes was relatively low inyears 1 and 2, but quite challenging for year 3.years 1 and 2, but quite challenging for year 3.The daily highs were nearly 32The daily highs were nearly 32 rr C in year 3, butC in year 3, butaround 24around 24 C in years 1 and 2.C in years 1 and 2.

These factors could explain the tThese factors could explain the t- -test results andtest results andslightly lower mean.slightly lower mean.


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Conclusions andConclusions and

RecommendationsRecommendationsNorth Dakota Youth Range Camp is achievingNorth Dakota Youth Range Camp is achievingits goal of teaching range and natural resourcesits goal of teaching range and natural resourcesmanagement to youth in most categories.management to youth in most categories.

Future improvement plans:Future improvement plans:Include handsInclude hands- -on learning using the GPS unit.on learning using the GPS unit.Noxious weed presentations will be moreNoxious weed presentations will be moreinteractive.interactive.B etter instruction will be provided on applyingB etter instruction will be provided on applyingskills to range management.skills to range management.The Hike in the Park will be kept at a lower The Hike in the Park will be kept at a lower difficulty.difficulty.


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F uture S tudyF uture S tudy

Surveys will continue to be used to evaluateSurveys will continue to be used to evaluateprograms.programs.

Research using preResearch using pre- -test and posttest and post- -testtestevaluation would indicate overall learning.evaluation would indicate overall learning.Retention could also be tested by giving theRetention could also be tested by giving theassessement again at the State Rangeassessement again at the State Range

Judging contest in September (about 3 monthsJudging contest in September (about 3 monthslater).later).Track career choices and success of pastTrack career choices and success of pastNorth Dakota Youth Range Camp participants.North Dakota Youth Range Camp participants.


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AcknowledgmentsAcknowledgments

Nels Peterson, Kevin Sedivec, and MarkNels Peterson, Kevin Sedivec, and MarkSchmidt, my coSchmidt, my co- -authors.authors.

Participants in North Dakota Youth RangeParticipants in North Dakota Youth RangeCampCampSupporters of the CampSupporters of the Camp


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