What is Service Learning?Geosciences: we use this term broadly to include all aspects of the earth system (atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere, solid earth, geography, environmental, etc.) as well as those disciplines focused on the intersection of humans and the Earth (geography, environmental science and studies, sustainability studies, etc.).

Service Learning: activities that engage students in addressing real community problems in ways that are connected to course learning goals.

Service Learning has been cited as a high impact practice in the education of undergraduates. There are many examples of undergraduate courses and programs that incorporate service learning or civic engagement, although not all are explicitly labeled in this way or connected to others doing similar work.

Language taken directly from:Workshop on Service Learning in the Undergraduate Geosciences (2016)http://sites.nationalacademies.org/DBASSE/BOSE/DBASSE_171829

Why are you interested in service learning?

Service learning equips students with skills needed to address Wicked Problems

▪ Real world investigation

▪ Engagement with diverse others; individual perspectives matter

▪ Cultivates change agency

▪ Aligns with central geoscience habits & skills

(key learning goals achievable)

▪ Builds professional network & opportunities

Benefits to students (& capacity to address Wicked Problems):

Service learning strategies are valued by employers

● Of 17 outcome areas, written and oral communication, teamwork skills, ethical decision making, critical thinking, and the ability to apply knowledge in real-world settings are the most highly valued by employers

● Most employers would prefer to hire students with service learning experience (69%) or a collaborative research experience (80%)

● >80% employers said that students should come away from college with knowledge of how to solve problems with views other than their own, understanding of institutions & values, & civic knowledge, skills, & judgement needed for a civic society

https://www.aacu.org/leap/public-opinion-research/2015-survey-falling-short

Falling Short? College Learning and Career Success(Hart Research Associates, 2015 survey of 400 employers for AAC&U)

Benefits to faculty, institutions, communities

▪ Collaboration provides resources (e.g land, instrumentation), expertise, & opportunities

▪ Supports a shared vision for problem solving & curriculum development

▪ Improves place, policy, & community development

▪ Rewarding to meet community needs (cultivates change agency)

Geoscience Service Learning & Diversity, Suzanne OConnellNAS Workshop on Service Learning in the Undergraduate Geosciences (2016)

Service Learning in the Undergraduate Geosciences, Opportunities for Innovation, Linda SilkaNAS Workshop on Service Learning in the Undergraduate Geosciences (2016)

Service learning is one way to engage students in meeting learning goals that include:

• Communication• Application• Collaboration• Agency (proactive)• Diversity & Justice• Sustainability • Reflection• Leadership

ReciprocityProject outcomes result in desired gains; come through collaboration

Getting Started:

Identifying a framework for collaboration: ▪ wicked problems ▪ needs/interests of your collaborators (are you serving needs directly or enhancing

opportunities?*▪ institutional context/opportunities (strategic initiatives)

What are some of the professional habits that partners use that could add value to your course?*

*Tip: Before meeting with potential partners investigate the mission of the agency they serve & the nature of recent work; consider entering into partnership without making promises you can’t deliver on.

Thinking about your course or program:

Desired Course or Program Outcomes

Partner(s)/ Partner(s) Needs Served

Activities