Vessel-based education programs in the Great Lakes: An evaluation of effects on student knowledge and attitudes

Vessel-based education programs are found throughout the Great Lakes region , yet they have received little quantitative evaluation attention. The focu s of this research was to measure the impacts of one such multi-disciplinar y program, the Great Lakes Education Program (GLEP), on changes in Great La kes knowledge and attitudes of fourth grade students. A valid and reliable written survey was developed from eight pre-existing instruments. The study incorporated a quasi-experimental, pre- and post-test design involving 39 fourth grade classrooms (945 students). As a result of the GLEP vessel expe rience, students exhibited a highly significant increase in Great Lakes kno wledge, and girls experienced a statistically significant increase increase in positive attitudes toward the Great Lakes. Boys had significantly more Great Lakes and aquatic experiences than girls. Recommendations for vessel- based education programs include conducting rigorous evaluations with relia ble and valid measurements for knowledge and attitudes, using research desi gns with controls for threats to validity, conducting longer-term follow-up evaluations with students, and strengthening cruise and classroom curricul a.