The document summarizes a formative evaluation of self-guided school visits at Woodland Park Zoo. The evaluation aims to determine if the learning goals of K-12 teachers for self-guided visits are being met and identify how the zoo's resources can better facilitate successful tours. Data was collected through observations of school groups on tours and surveys of 20-30 teachers after their visits to understand their goals, preparation, and if the zoo is helping them achieve their objectives. The results will help the zoo prioritize its resources to improve the experience for self-guided school groups.

1. What Learning Goals are Being Met at Self-Guided School
Visits
Woodland Park Zoo
Formative Evaluation
Autumn 2011
Michelle DelCarlo, Eric LaPlant & Siri Linz

2. • Formative evaluation: This type of evaluation
provides information about how well a program or
exhibit functions and how well it communicates
intended messages.
• Self-guided tour: At Woodland Park Zoo, these tours
are available for school groups who choose not to be
guided by a staff member during the visit. These
groups generally tour the zoo grounds with school
teachers or chaperones.

3.  The purpose of this
evaluation is to
determine if K-12
teachers’ goals for their
self-guided visits at WPZ
are being met. The
results will be used to
prioritize zoo resources
to facilitate successful
self-guided zoo visits.

4.  What are K-12 teachers goals for self-guided visits?
 How do teachers prepare for self-guided tours?
 Are the teachers goals being met?
 What motivates the teachers to participate in self-
guided tours?
 Are the zoo’s resources for self-guided visits effective in
helping teachers meet their goals?

5.  Where? WPZ grounds
 Who? K-12 teachers
 Why? This audience is of
interest to WPZ because
materials have been
created to enrich self-
guided visits, yet WPZ
does not know what
value these materials
provide.

6.  Anderson, D. , Kisiel, J., &
Storksdieck, M. (2006).  Mortensen, M. F., & Smart, K.
Understanding teachers perspectives (2007). Free-Choice Worksheets
on field trips: Discovering common Increase Students’ Exposure to
ground in three countries. Curator, Curriculum during Museum Visits.
49(3), 365 - 386. Journal of Research in Science
Teaching. doi:10.1002/tea.20206

7. Instruments, Sample Size and Sampling Method

10.  During: 100
observations
 Post: 20-30 teachers

11.  Convenience Sampling
method