A Comprehensive approach to Needs Assessment, Project Planning and Implementation, and Evaluation

This manual is intended to assist NOAA professionals as they design and implement
education projects.
Much of “Part II: Project Planning and Implementation” is based on the Project Design
and Evaluation course offered by the NOAA Coastal Services Center.
Examples and case studies integral to this manual were developed with the help of
education and outreach staff in the following NOAA line offices: National Weather
Service (NWS), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Ocean Service (NOS)
and Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) as well as field staff from the National
Sea Grant College Program (NSGCP), the National Estuarine Research Reserve System
(NERRS), and the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.
Information on the Targeting Outcomes of Programs (TOP) model was based on the
work of Bennett and Rockwell (1995, 2004). Feedback on logic model terminology was
provided by NOAA Program Planning and Integration staff members Susan Kennedy,
Robert Fulton, and Tom Bucher.
Lastly, the following individuals reviewed the second edition of this manual:
Molly Harrison, NOAA, National Marine Fisheries Service
Atziri Ibañez, NOAA, National Estuarine Research Reserve System
Chris Maier, NOAA, National Weather Service
John McLaughlin, NOAA Office of Education
Diana Payne, Connecticut Sea Grant College Program
Sarah Schoedinger, NOAA, Office of Education
Steve Storck, NOAA, Office of Education
Their assistance is truly appreciated.
First edition, June 2005:
Bora Simmons
Environmental Education
Department of Teaching and Learning
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, IL 60115
Second edition, April 2009:
Elizabeth A. Day-Miller and Janice O. Easton
BridgeWater Education Consulting, LLC
Bridgewater, VA 22812
BridgeWaterEC.com