Environmental Education and Human Dimensions with Reptile Husbandry
Author: Bridgette Hancock
Faculty Supervisor: C. Tate Holbrook, Ph.D.
Community Partners: Driftwood Education Center and UGA Applied Wildlife Conservation Lab (Marine Extension)
Abstract:
My summer internship revolved around the human dimensions of environmental education, focusing particularly on young children (grades 3-5) and their attitudes towards reptiles. To achieve this, I worked with both the University of Georgia Applied Wildlife Conservation Lab (AWCL—Marine Extension, Brunswick) and the Driftwood Education Center. The main parts of my work involved husbandry of reptiles used for educational programs and developing a survey that was given to summer camp children attending reptile programs. Additionally, I began conducting a synthesis of literature relevant to my internship. Last, I engaged in various field research with reptiles through the AWCL. My survey results indicated an overall decrease in negative attitudes towards reptiles and therefore an increase in positive ones. My experience with the literature synthesis and training in captive husbandry will benefit my future career endeavors tremendously.
