Educational Models

The interpretive program component is comprised of innovative, interactive exhibits on wetland topics for family and general audiences. It will use the Experiential Learning method.  Experiential learning is a process through which a student develops knowledge, skills, and values from direct experiences.  It occurs when students are placed in a situation where they think and interact in a real-world environment.  It involves active participation in planning, development and execution of learning activities, and is shaped by the problems and pressures arising from the  real-world situation. In other words, it is learning by doing outside of a teacher-directed, content-driven, text-oriented formal classroom setting.  In addition to serving as an attraction for visitors, this public gallery component also serves to support programmed educational outreach for local school tours and field trips. This component is composed of two major parts; the Galleries and the Programs. Both elements depend on each other for completeness.  

The other part of the project contains a focused educational component or “research laboratory” targeted at upper middle-school and high school aged students. This has been a core idea of the South Louisiana Wetlands Discovery Center since its inception.