Mini Grants give boost to fall service learning classes


Mon, 09/12/2016

author

Amanda Schwegler

LAWRENCE — Seven faculty members and their respective community partners have received $500 mini-grants from the Center for Civic and Social Responsibility in support of their fall 2016 service learning classes.

Mini grants are given to support best practices in service learning and mutually beneficial campus-community partnerships. The funds help cover the costs of service learning classes incurred by their real-world efforts and effects, such as building materials, focus group incentives or transportation costs.

"The instructors and community organizations that work together for these service learning classes help students connect their studies to real-world community needs," said Linda Dixon, assistant director of the Center for Civic and Social Responsibility. "The mini grants we provide offset some of the costs it takes to make those partnerships happen."

Applications for Spring 2017 mini-grants will be announced late fall semester and the online applications will be posted on the CCSR website.

The spring 2016 Service Learning Mini Grant Award recipients:

ARCH 508, Architectural Design IV
Chad Kraus, associate professor of architecture
Bob Johnson and Kimberly Sims, Lets Rock and Roll and Change the World
Arch 509 is a "design build" studio in which architecture students will be working with Let's Rock and Roll and Change the World, an organization dedicated to helping homeless people reintegrate into the community. Students will design and build a mobile tiny house as a prototype for a tiny house village intended to create positive and lasting change in the fight against homelessness.

C&T 366, Classroom Interactions in Mathematics and Science
Carrie La Voy, lecturer in curriculum & teaching
Kelly Kluthe, Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools

KU students are partnered with secondary mathematics and science teachers in the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools. KU students observe and assist classroom teachers, working with small groups of students, teaching mini-lessons and whole-class lessons.

HSES 892, Psychology of Physical Activity
Mary Fry, associate professor of health, sport & exercise science
Trey Meyer, executive director of the Lawrence Community Shelter

Students learn theories of motivation for participating in physical activity and see first hand how the research in exercise psychology can be applied to real life settings and real life people. Partnering with the Lawrence Community Shelter, students conduct an assessment to see the needs and interest of the residents, and plan, deliver, and evaluate a physical activity intervention. The Lawrence Community Shelter sees great opportunity for the students to promote physical activity with the residents at the shelter.

SW 555, Diversity, Oppression, and Social Justice: Cultural Competence
Megan Paceley, assistant professor of social welfare
Multiple community partners: Loud Light, Willow Domestic Violence Shelter, Just Food, Sexual Trauma and Abuse Care Center, KU Sexual and Gender Diversity Center

Students learn about social justice issues pertaining to various populations based on race/ethnicity, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, ability/disability, religion and spirituality, nationality and immigration status, and age, as well as the intersections of identities. By working with one of five local organization, students are able to have real-world experience with organizations engaged in social welfare and social justice.

EVRN 460, Field Ecology
Robert Hagen, lecturer in the Environmental Studies Program
Roger Boyd, education coordinator, and Sandy Sanders, volunteer, at the Baker Wetlands Discovery Center

The course includes fieldwork in diverse ecosystems and emphasizes development of skills in data analysis and interpretation. Students will plan and lead activities at Potter Lake for 6th grade students at Liberty Memorial Central Middle School. At several education stations, Field Ecology students help the sixth graders explore different aspects of lake ecology.

ILLU 415, Illustration Concepts
Barry Fitzgerald, professor of design
Lori Johns, Director of Community Impact at the United Way

Illustration students learning to develop different conceptual forms will complete an illustration for a poster to be used to promote early and frequent reading to children. A committee from the United Way will select one of the students’ illustrations to be used for a final poster that will be distributed to local and area health care facilities and public service providers.

COMS 342, Problem Solving in Teams and Groups
Haley Vellinga, graduate teaching assistant in communication studies
Rachel Gadd-Nelson, director of community engagement at The Sexual Trauma and Abuse Care Center

This course is designed to facilitate understanding of the theory and practice of small group communication. Students will explore how classroom concepts apply to the small groups they will work in to brainstorm, create, and carry out a campuswide event that increases awareness, incites passion and raises funds for The Sexual Trauma and Abuse Care Center.

MEMT 150, Introduction to Music Therapy
Bill Matney, associate professor of music therapy
Multiple community partners

Alongside learning foundational knowledge and skills of the field of music therapy — including music skills, leadership skills and an awareness of people with various needs — students will work with one of many  community partners based on their interest in working with that population. The students identify a community need with the community partner and provide direct service throughout the semester, increasing their understanding of the field of music therapy and some of the populations that music therapy serves.

Mon, 09/12/2016

author

Amanda Schwegler

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Amanda Schwegler