COS 103-3 - The Analyze Areas feature of the Half-Earth Project Map motivates students to seek natural experiences and biodiversity protection strategies

Abstract: The Half-Earth Map (map.half-earthproject.org) is an interactive digital globe that presents data on species richness and rarity, human impacts, and protected areas to inform conservation action. The Foundation’s education team uses the map as engagement tool to infuse biodiversity, ecology, and conservation thinking across the curriculum with diverse learners from middle school through college. Here we report on field-tests focused on features of the map that let students analyze conservation successes and challenges of: nation states; US states, and; an area they can define themselves with an Analyze Area tool. We wanted to investigate what impact engaging with biodiversity closer to home had on students’ grasp of fundamental concepts and on achieving conservation goals.

Field tests were conducted with 119 US science students at 2 high schools. 67 (3 did not complete surveys) students (Standard Cohort) spent 90 minutes on an instructor led, team-based design activity. 49 of the 119 students spent an additional 30 minutes (Analyze Areas Cohort) using the Analyze Areas map feature to analyze a natural area in the region. Surveys were filled-in by students immediately following the activity and data was collected from 116 completed surveys. The survey contained 7 items to assess student grasp of key concepts including species range, richness, rarity, and conservation priority. Three questions aimed to measure attitudes: 5) How likely are you to visit a natural area in the next year? 6) How Likely are you to consider taking conservation action in the next year? 7) List 3 critical challenges to better protecting biodiversity.

Both cohorts scored similarly on items 1-4, indicating a grasp of the core concepts. There was significant difference in responses to questions 5-7. For the Standard Cohort 16% reported being likely to visit a natural area, and 4% said they were likely to take conservation action. For the Analyze Areas Cohort, the numbers were significantly higher with 57% likely to visit a natural area and 22% likely to take conservation action. For the final brief response question, we developed a list of key words as a scoring rubric, and enlisted independent readers to score responses. The Analyze Areas Cohort included many more responses that revealed appreciation for the role of people and communities in conservation, and referenced specific species.

These preliminary results indicate that focusing student learning on local biodiversity may increase engagement and deepen appreciation of conservation challenges.