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"I think they will advocate for environmental issues in the future & take place in more <br />outdoor related activities". "Expanded social skills, off technology for a bit!". <br />"He came home talking about everything". "He loved the program, thank you for <br />pushing my child in his love for science". "Such positivity from all the staff and <br />volunteers. She had the best time with everyone and always came home with new <br />facts/info". <br />Goal #3 and outcomes: <br />Our after-school program for 511 graders from four Title 1 south county schools are conducted <br />at the Audubon House and Oslo River Conservation Area (ORCA), County Stormwater Center — <br />Egret Marsh. All participants focus on conservation, increasing science literacy and vocabulary, <br />educating students about local flora and fauna, and educating the students to become <br />advocates of the local environment. The students have little exposure to the local green and <br />blue space in Indian River County. <br />A. The Audubon Advocates program served: 96 students from Oct. 1, 2021 thru May, 2022; <br />and beginning August, 2022 there are currently 48 students enrolled. A total of 144 fifth <br />grade students; two students dropped out as they moved from the area, but was <br />substituted with new chosen students. Monthly newsletters were sent home with <br />students that provided information about what the students learned during their <br />extended After-school Outdoor science program, pictures of students participating, <br />information about what was available for free in the community to get families <br />outdoors, and other general information. <br />B. Parents were given a free 1 -year family membership to Pelican Island Audubon Society, <br />which includes a monthly newsletter "Peligram" with articles about environmental <br />issues, activities, field trips, and some highlights of their students, as well as, all access <br />to the PIAS website with educational information, adult programs, general information <br />and ways to volunteer. <br />C. Parents completed pre -surveys before their child began the Audubon Advocate program <br />and a post -survey when completed. Parents noted how much time they spent with their <br />child outdoor and their perception of how important it was for their child to attend <br />Audubon Advocates and explore sciences hands-on. All but one family attended the <br />students' graduations where the student showcased their knowledge and demonstrated <br />what and how they learned. Some students showed parents how to use binoculars, <br />cameras, kayaks, how to handle reptiles, importance of mosquitos, etc. Three students <br />form on class (Glendale Elementary) asked if they could speak to the parents and invited <br />guests during the graduation ceremony. The first student spoke about "how Audubon <br />Advocates made a man out of him" because he felt so much more responsible about the <br />environment and how to advocate for a cleaner world. The second student spoke about <br />how he dressed and noted to the parents that he probably looked like a student that <br />didn't like science or the outdoors (dressed all on black, black hoodie, pants, hair) but he <br />was so happy to be in the program and he hopes to become a scientist when he grows <br />up. The third student just wanted all the adults in the room to know how proud all the <br />students were about being invited to be in the Advocate program. <br />D. Student's pre -survey scores averaged 62.6% and increased to an average of 86.1% on <br />the post -survey for the first three quarters of this grant. The fourth quarter is currently <br />173 <br />