The windshield survey

Guidelines for

The Windshield Survey

Explanation:

Each person will enter their community by conducting a windshield survey. As the

name implies, students will observe the communities that they have targeted by driving

around the neighborhood and/or walking around the neighborhood on foot. If the

community is a workplace, school, or some other institution, a windshield survey of the

neighborhood should still be done as well as a tour of the facility. If the community

chosen is a phenomenological community, a windshield survey should be done in the

neighborhoods(s) where this community resides. For example if Cambodians in

Shawnee are targeted then a windshield survey of where Cambodians live should be

done.

During the windshield survey, students should note the following:

The infrastructure such as buildings, bridges, parks etc.

Are there sidewalks? Any safety issues?

What types of buildings are seen? Are they new or old?

What types of schools are seen? What other type educational institutions such

as trade schools or universities are seen?

What type of health services to you see?

How many churches are seen?

What type of housing is available? Are there empty houses and building?

Are lawns unkempt? Are houses in need of repair?

What goods available to buy? What types of businesses are in the community?

What about the environment? Is there pollution? Is litter seen? Are there trees

and places where nature can be seen?

What are people seen doing? Where do people gather?

What type of entertainment is available?

Places to exercise and be physically active?

Markets with fresh fruits and vegetables?

Local newspapers or other types of media?

Law enforcement?

What can you see from just driving around and observing?

Demographic and other types of information that cannot be seen from a windshield

survey need not be included in the windshield survey.

There are many examples of windshield surveys of communities found on youtube.

Grading Rubric for Windshield Survey:

Criteria Possible

Percentage

Points

Points

Earned

Location and boundaries of the community (or the

relationship of the target community to the geographical

community of the windshield survey) are clearly

explained. 10%

Infrastructure and building types shown 10%

Institutions noted (education, health, prisons, others) as

well as businesses 10%

Environmental situation understood from the

presentation as well as health and safety issues in the

community 10%

Housing situation described 10%

Entertainment/ places for physical exercise 10%

Activities of locals shown 10%

Locations where informal interviews or conversations

with local are discovered. 10%

Local papers, media, announcement boards / other

means of communication within the community as

shown from the windshield survey described. 10%

Creativity / artistic appeal /logical order 10%

Total 100%

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