Local Rural Knowledge and Early Childhood Informal Science Education in Rural Nebraska

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Local Rural Knowledge and Early Childhood Informal Science Education in Rural Nebraska
Language: English
Authors: Sarah M. Paulos
Source: ProQuest LLC. 2024Ph.D. Dissertation, The University of Nebraska - Lincoln.
Availability: ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway, P.O. Box 1346, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Tel: 800-521-0600; Web site: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 120
Publication Date: 2024
Document Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Early Childhood Education
Elementary Education
Descriptors: Rural Areas, Informal Education, Indigenous Knowledge, Early Childhood Education, Science Education, Elementary School Science, Young Children, Hands on Science, Outreach Programs, Background, Summer Science Programs, Weather, Differences, Program Effectiveness
Geographic Terms: Nebraska
ISBN: 979-83-468-1091-9
Abstract: This study aims to discover the existing experiences that lead to local rural knowledge (LRK) of specific rural Northeast Nebraska communities. This information will assist in understanding the impact that LRK has on young children's science knowledge in rural communities. By engaging in hands-on experiences and interactions, science learning goals for children may be achieved and developed through science outreach programs. During Phase 1 of this study, adults in the selected rural communities participated in an online survey indicating their knowledge of various common rural phrases with the option to share personal stories of experiences and family history. This information led to the development of an early childhood weather science summer camp (Phase 2) that measured science content knowledge and science practice skills of two different groups of children: LRK group and General Science group. Overall, the LRK group showed improved science content knowledge and science practice skills from the beginning to the end of camp. They discussed more relevant local weather patterns and experiences and used more explanations in conversations and artistic artifacts. The LRK group also showed more detail and coherence in science drawings that were collected each day of camp. The General Science group showed improvement in content knowledge and skill development, but it was not as pronounced. The results of this study indicate that informal science education programming, especially those informed by LRK, have the capacity to increase science knowledge of young children. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Access URL: https://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&res_dat=xri:pqm&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:31763105
Accession Number: ED665037
Database: ERIC
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