Sea Grant and Natural Resource Objectives

Sea Grant and Natural Resource Objectives

Example of Sea Grant Objective from SMMART Objectives Publication, http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/document_fy824: In a four-week follow-up survey, at least 50 percent of the 60 participants in the boating safety program will indicate they adopted at least two new safety practices they were not using prior to the program.

Example of Natural Resource Objective from SMMART Objectives Publication, http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/document_fy824: At least 300 waterfront property owners participating in the Water Quality Program will adopt at least one management practice to protect water quality as measured by a three-month follow-up survey.

Examples of Sea Grant Objectives and corresponding Outcomes from successful Promotion Packets. These may not be perfect, so look for ways to improve them.:

At least 200 students enrolled each year in the St. Lucie County School District will increase their general knowledge of aquaculture through classroom instruction and distance learning activities. Increase in knowledge was measured by post-test information as reported by the students’ instructors.

Ø Approximately 75% of 9,362 secondary students in St. Lucie County public schools who received aquaculture instruction could correctly define aquaculture as “the farming of plants and animals in water” and could name at least two aquatic animals that were farmed when presented a post-presentation quiz. “At Risk” students presented essays about what they learned about aquaculture. Many of the students commented that the lectures and field trips inspired them to improve their performance in the public school system.

The general public will be more aware of aquaculture as a potential industry in Florida through seminars, exhibits and mass media presentations. Where possible, a measure of knowledge gained was determined by survey.

Ø “Aquaculture Opportunities in Florida” - A survey of adults attending the seminars indicated that although 90% had a better understanding of aquaculture as an agricultural industry, less than 10% concluded that they would engage in an aquaculture venture in the near future.

Ø “Hard Shell Clam Farming Workshops” - One hundred percent of the participants completed the regulatory process and obtained leases to begin their clam farming business. As they continued their enterprises, they participated in other clam farming workshops presented by IFAS staff throughout the state.

Ø “Water Gardens in Your Own Backyard” - Over 30% of the participants surveyed during the seminars increased their knowledge about water gardens and would consider constructing one as part of their residential landscaping.

Five hundred students per year enrolled in elementary and secondary schools in the St. Lucie County Public School District will improve their knowledge and awareness of the marine environment and the Indian River lagoon. Output measures will be evaluated utilizing post program tests. (2000-2004)

Ø 100% of forth grade students attending “Ecosystem Explorers” successfully completed puzzles related to the habitats of the Indian River Lagoon, made drawings and made quantitative measurements of feeding dynamics, and utilized instrumentation to record water quality data. These activities were completed by each student to achieve benchmarks for student performance standards in "The Florida Sunshine State Standards and Instructional Practices".

Ø 100% of seventh grade students attending the "Indian River Lagoon Series" successfully completed a puzzle on adaptations of marine organisms, correctly identified 10 different mollusks using a dichotomous key, and calculated relative percent cover and diversity of a simulated coral reef system. Approximately 80% of the students successfully completed two of the three exercises without teacher supervision.

Ø 90% of fifth grade students attending "Lagoon Days" mastered paddling techniques, safe handling of the canoe, and proper methods to load and off-load from a dock. Students were required to demonstrate to the instructor these skills while operating the boat in the water. In addition, students gained an awareness of the quiet, environmental compatibility of non-motorized boats by observing shallow-water fish, wading birds, and other organisms of the mangrove community.

Ø 100% of “at risk” high school students attending the “Keeping Our Coastline Healthy” program demonstrated their increased awareness and appreciation of the marine environment by writing essays on stewardship of our coastal environment. Through these essays the students described how their interest in the marine environment had increased their initiative to improve their educational performance.

Five hundred students per year enrolled in elementary schools in the St. Lucie County Public School District will improve their knowledge of the relationship of form and function in marine organisms through hands-on, interactive educational programming. Output measures will be evaluated utilizing post program tests. (2000-2004)

Ø At the conclusion of each program, 60% of fourth grade students attending "Motion in the Ocean" differentiated between corals, bivalve and gastropod mollusks, and echinoderms by correctly placing at least two specimens in the appropriately labeled containers.