[Interp-share] Evaluating an Interp Program-Reply

[Roche, John]

Manny Perez wrote in and asked for information about subject.

Having a goal of finding topics that inspire a greater appreciation of =
the
park=20
and to improve the quality of the programs we do, is admiral.  I have =
thought
about this for a while and would like to add my $.02.

Unless your "preaching" to a specialized audience, the general public =
will
enjoy most programs.   The allure of your advertising is what brought =
them to
see it.  The biggest challenge is grabbing their attention and then =
holding
it.  Being a fisherman I call this the "HOOK."  A while back, a ranger =
here
did a program on predators, and when doing his introduction on how these
hunters would stalk their prey, the tale was built up and it was =
re-enforced
by the fact that at the most suspenseful moment, another person in the =
back
of the campfire circle would pull two ropes that were tied throughout =
the
palmettos on each side.  The story hits a point of a very large =
saber-toothed
tiger pouncing, and then all the bushes rustle like crazy.  Can you see =
how
that got their interest?  You still have to reel them in.  Here it is =
the
content and delivery of the program that is crucial.  The trophy of a =
good
presentation is that greater appreciation of the park you are looking to =
get.
We have an evaluation form, FPS- V001.  By having knowledgeable staff
(Interpretive Committee) review programs and fill these out, you can get
feedback that improves both content and delivery. =20

As for topics..... I believe each ranger must choose according to what =
they
believe in.  How else can you sell something if you don't have faith in =
it
yourself?  "Instill an awareness of, and appreciation for.."  the sign =
of a
good program is having the audience looking for more, it is the tip of =
the
iceberg.  We say that if you tug on one thing in nature, you find it is
connected to the rest of the world.  Any topic can be that spark, that
opening, as long as you believe and make it shine.

I love the water and from Ft. Clinch to Bahia Honda I have seen the =
effects
of it, how it shaped Florida through "Cycles". I use an artifact box, =
that
tells a story chronologically, about the geologic and natural history
development of Florida.  It's complete evolution from under sea =
sediments,
through the changing climates, from pioneer species to decomposers, up =
to the
intrusion of man. While talking, we are passing around "artifacts" and =
we
children it becomes a guessing game of what's that?  As it is explained =
the
role and place in the ecology, they remember.  You would not believe how =
many
little kids think antlers were made from wood!  There are math questions =
and
a visual quiz at the end, complete with safety notices.  While you're
talking, they are seeing, handling things, and thinking of answers, =
utilizing
many senses at the same time. That's phase 1.  Then there is a =
illustrated
program of slides that follows the very same story line, phase 2.  Then =
it is
followed up with a walk through the scrub and in the 3rd phase, the =
material
is re-enforced; but by now the kids have the answers and can actually =
see the
unique differences all around them.

A ranger working on his first program, wanted to do it on Prescribed =
Fire,
and it was suggested that to get the interest piqued, do the program in
reverse.  Start with beautiful healthy functioning habitats and progress
backwards through each stage, this way the results are known before the
process is described, ending up, ideally, with the end slide/picture, =
being
the first one again, a complete cycle.

I hope this "sparks" some ideas.