Science Communication through Cool Critters: An Informal Learning Experience for Youth

There are numerous ways to communicate science and assess the effectiveness of that communication. One approach focuses on increasing awareness, enjoyment, interest, opinion, and/or understanding of science. For this study, we created an informal learning experience for youth to communicate the science of animals in Nebraska. We developed Cool Critters, a weeklong summer camp for elementary school-aged students, to increase participants' enjoyment, interest, and opinion of Nebraska animals. In 2023, Cool Critters was led in three educational settings in central Nebraska and reached sixty-six participants. Surveys were used to determine the camp's success in effective science communication and whether voluntary/involuntary participation, gender, or grade level affected responses. Statistical tests detected increases in youths’ enjoyment, interest, and opinion of Nebraska animals from participating in Cool Critters, as self-reported by participants and observed by their parents/guardians. No significant differences were detected in youths’ personal responses to Nebraska animals based on involuntary/voluntary participation, gender, or grade level, with the minor exception of higher enjoyment of Nebraska animals reported before camp for participants entering second grade compared to those entering higher grades. Overall, Cool Critters increased participants’ personal responses to Nebraska animals in a positive way and may serve as an example for development and assessment of other place-based programs for youth.