The Great Grow Along Curriculum and Student Learning

Abstract

This report describes an evaluation of student learning outcomes and teachers’ implementation of The Great Grow Along, a nutrition curriculum that uses live rats to demonstrate nutrition and scientific method concepts. Pre- and post-tests were used to evaluate the curriculum implemented in 4th-, 5th-, and 6th-grade classrooms in three states. Student learning outcomes were measured in cognitive, affective, and behavioral intention domains. Significant change, indicating effectiveness of the curriculum, was found in attitudes and in knowledge of nutrition and the scientific method. Seventy-five percent of student respondents reported that they had made or planned to make changes in food choices. All teachers used most of the curriculum activities and were generally positive about its usability.