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Project WILD's mission is to provide wildlife-based conservation and environmental education that fosters responsible actions toward wildlife and related natural resources.
The goal of Project WILD is to assist learners of all ages in developing awareness, knowledge, skills, and commitment that result in informed decisions, responsible behavior, and constructive actions concerning wildlife and the environment upon which all life depends.
Project WILD curriculum materials undergo a thorough review, testing, and evaluation process. The purpose is to develop well-conceived, tested, current, and effective instructional resources of the highest quality that meet the needs of educators and students. As a result, Project WILD meets the accepted criteria for environmental education and provides educators with materials that support national, state, and district standards in science, mathematics, language arts, social studies, and expressive arts.
Listed below are different strategies Project WILD employs to maintain its commitment to quality.
Updates and Revisions
The Project WILD and Project WILD Aquatic K-12 Curriculum and Activity Guides were updated in 2000 in response to education reform. Both the conceptual framework and individual activities were revised to help meet national education standards and assessment criteria. The background information found in the activities also was revised (1) to provide current statistics and updated factual information and (2) to highlight successful conservation efforts.
Conceptual Framework
The conceptual framework for Project WILD was developed through a rigorous process to ensure its accuracy, balance, and educational validity. It was critiqued and reviewed by more than 500 professionals.
Materials and Activities
All Project WILD materials are reviewed by science, curriculum, education, and environmental experts for educational soundness, balance, and content accuracy.
All materials are pilot tested by classroom teachers to ensure that stated instructional objectives are met, to evaluate grade level appropriateness, and to assess the quality of the activity and student involvement.
Activities for the Project WILD Activity Guides (K-12 Guide and Aquatic Education Guide) were written by teachers, school administrators, university faculty members, wildlife professionals, and representatives of private environmental, youth, community, and conservation groups in a series of regional writing conferences. Hundreds of activities were developed, and after stringent review, evaluation, national field testing, and refinement, final selections were made, and the guides were produced.
Suggestions and Evaluation
We encourage and welcome suggestions for revisions to the existing Project WILD Activity Guides. When possible, each year's printing will accommodate suggested revisions.
Each participant in a Project WILD workshop is asked to complete a participant survey form. According to an ongoing analysis of these evaluation forms, 99% of our participants report that the workshops were either good or excellent.
Comparative Study
A comparative study (based on a field test of the Project WILD Activity Guides in urban, suburban, and rural areas by over 6,000 students) showed that students in all areas acquired knowledge, skills, and an appreciation of wildlife when their teachers used Project WILD activities.
Endorsements
Project WILD has earned the endorsement of organizations including the California Board of Education, the National Council for the Social Studies, and the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.
Awards
Project WILD has received numerous awards including the 1984 Conservation Education Award from the Wildlife Society, a 1991 President's Environmental and Conservation Challenge Award for Education and Communications, and recognition from the North American Association for Environmental Education and the National Wildlife Federation.
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