Posted | May 10, 2012
No matter how many lectures you hear or how many books you may read, seeing your efforts make a difference in your community and for the environment drives home the importance of civic engagement and the principles of conservation.”
Dr. Whitcraft teaches an upper-division, service-learning course in conservation biology designed to incorporate concepts from multiple areas of biology (genetics, population biology, ecology) and the social sciences (environmental economics, law, policy) with hands-on service experiences. Students develop a skill set that converts a desire to “save the earth” into practical knowledge and a viable career that also contribute to local communities. She teaches the course in two sections: 1) important conservation biology tools, and 2) a case-study oriented approach using both historic and contemporary issues. As a service-learning course, students learn about conservation biology though a guided placement with a conservation organization (partner) in the local area for approximately 20 hours during the semester. This experience helps demonstrate how conservation biology concepts are used in a real world context.
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Posted | April 18, 2012
Service learning can transform a bored and reluctant student in a science course into a passionate learner who wants to change the local environment through the intelligent use of relevant insights as a result of scientific analysis.”
Students in Dr. Stronck’s Instructional Methods of Teaching Single Subject Science had a hands-on opportunity to both participate in community service alongside their high school students, and also utilize service learning as a teaching method. These science-credential candidates instructed high school students about the ecology of native and non-native species and how the introduction of nonnative species can alter the ecosystem. They then led the high school students in community service at Stivers Lagoon by planting native trees.
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Posted | April 3, 2012
Service learning may greatly benefit students. I saw it increase the students’ confidence, enhance their knowledge and skills, boost their self-esteem, motivate them to produce work of quality, and help them build professional networks.”
Dr. Leh has been integrating service learning into her courses and grant projects since 2003. She implemented service-learning and reverse mentoring strategies in a federal grant project, “Preparing Tomorrow’s Teachers to Use Technology (PT3)”. As a result, students in her course “Practicum in Instructional Technology” provided individual technology training and mentoring to College of Education faculty members. Additionally, through a technology conference she created and continues to oversee annually, EdTech Classroom Conference, Dr. Leh’s students in “STEM Education: Service-Learning Fieldwork” have been providing technology service at the conference, while K-12 educators, parents and administrators come together to learn how technology is shaping teaching and learning.. For the future, Dr. Leh’s students in “Computer Based Technology in Education II” will provide technology training to parents at the Conference.
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Posted | April 2, 2012
Service learning is the best approach to making learning real. Rather than being a passive recipient of knowledge, the service learner becomes an active participant of the learning process.”
Dr. Gebauer leads the Research Experience Vitalizing Science – University Program (REVS-UP), funded by Chevron Corporation. REVS-UP brings high school students and K-12 teachers to CSU Bakersfield for a four-week period during the summer to perform cutting edge research work with faculty in the sciences and mathematics. This program is designed to rejuvenate K-12 science teachers and intends to increase interest of high school students in careers in science and mathematics by offering hands-on research experiences in biology, chemistry, computer science, geology, mathematics and physics. Between 2007-2011, 300 high school students and 67 K-12 teachers from 49 schools in Kern County, as well as 67 undergraduate students and 24 faculty from CSUB have participated in the program. Their work has led to 18 poster presentations at regional and national conferences and four publications in highly ranked, peer-reviewed journals.
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Posted | April 2, 2012
Our service-learning opportunities have opened up the possibility of community outreach in the sciences. Students are now looking for courses where they can conduct more of these activities.”
Through two of Dr. Mothé’s service-learning courses, Molecular Cell Biology and Virology, CSU San Marcos students create fun and engaging lessons for elementary and middle school students that are grade-appropriate, reinforce the state educational standards and also spark interest in STEM. These efforts are a part of a larger “Science Center” housed at a local elementary school and lead by Dr. Mothé, to involve CSUSM students from a variety of STEM disciplines in creating lessons for K-8 students. For example, fourth graders learned about population dynamics and food supply by playing a game acting as moose, plants and wolves in Yellowstone. Other lessons facilitated by CSUSM students in chemistry, mathematics and biotechnology focus on human senses, DNA, microbiology and chemistry.
Visit Dr. Mothé’s website
