Aidan Bailey

Date of Award

2012

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Natural Sciences

First Advisor

Gilchrist, Sandra

Keywords

Environmental Education, Charismatic Minifauna, Envoronmental Studies

Area of Concentration

Environmental Studies

Abstract

Large exotic mammals, or "charismatic megafauna," have been the subject of popular campaigns conveying environmental messages with the goal of inspiring pro-environmental attitudes, behaviors and support, both political and financial. Examples include the Polar Bear and the World Wildlife Fund's Giant Panda. However, the species selected are usually mammalian and are less likely to serve as indicator species, under-representing the delicate minifauna that is commonly found around us. This study investigates the potential for "charismatic minifauna," attractive, small, common local animals, to generate change in environmental behaviors in high school students. The author compared a minifauna-themed program, which focused on frogs as the minifauna species, and a global-themed program that was internationally focused. Both presentations covered identical environmental problems: invasive species, chemical pollution, and habitat loss. Both presentations incorporated various learning styles, and utilized a hands-on lab in which organic pesticide was mixed. Online surveys were conducted pre-presentation and post-presentation. The study found only small changes, and did not find an overall difference between the frog group and the global group. However, the study identified potential opportunities for further evaluation of the theory particularly, if live species are used in the classroom

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

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