PICS internship with the Quebec-Labrador FOundation Aleksandra Cvetković Class of 2018

Introduction QLF’s goal: advance conservation and stewardship in northeastern Canada by nurturing the next generation of environmental leaders and galvanizing community-based efforts to protect biodiversity Projects: Piping Plover Conservation Project Marine Debris Project Youth Leadership Program Incorporates lessons on the topics of the two other projects, so its results are representative of the success of all three

Methods Educational workshops held in 8 towns on the shores of the Gulf of St. Lawrence in the summer of 2016, drawing 300 children in total Each lesson was followed by a quiz to test the children’s knowledge The kids were given flashlights to answer the questions to make the quizzes more engaging If more than half of the kids had chosen the correct answer, it was said that the question had been answered correctly

Results At least 75% correctness on all quizzes given

Conclusion It seems that the children participating in the Youth Leadership Program mastered the material presented Given that the community beach cleanups that were advertised at the workshops were well attended, it seems that the educational programming was successful in fostering a sense of environmental responsibility in the kids Limitations: No pre-quiz given Difficult to count exactly how many flashlights are being shone at each answer choice because the light from the flashlights is weak and indistinct

Next steps Make changes to correct the addressed limitations Research new topics for lessons Involve local youths more in the other two projects Marine Debris Project: more beach cleanups Piping Plover Conservation Project: tasks that have minimal risk of disturbing the Piping Plover, such as posting signs at the entrances of beaches where the endangered species nests