Developing place-based program objectives for a national parks environmental program through transformative research

Abstract

This paper reflects on the efficacy of the “kids-in-parks” program offered by various national parks in South Africa. Through transformative research, the objectives of the program are reviewed to facilitate future program assessment. Transformative research requires the use of mixed methods; qualitative input was gained from national park educators who assisted with the development of an open-ended questionnaire to gather data from teachers who participated in the program offered at three national parks. A total of 240 respondents provided feedback that was analyzed thematically and statistically, leading to the identification of new outcomes for the program.

Acknowledgements

Sincere thanks to SANParks for the opportunity to do research on the KIP program and to the NRF (South Africa) for funding.