Sure, Absolute Power Corrupts, but Empowering Others…Absolutely Different Results: Try Service-Learning to Cultivate a Commitment To Learning by Youth and Adults
The seventh 21st Century Skill supported by service-learning:
“Cultivate an ongoing commitment to learning.”
Cultivate—I appreciate the verb in this context and what it connotes. There is a metaphor for gardening suggested—for nurturing and growing and stewardship—that I think is appropriate.
So how and why does service-learning cultivate that commitment? As usual, lots of answers to a question like that. (more…)
Youth as Citizen Scientists: STEM and Civic Engagement
I continue to be energized by the broad base of educators using STEM topics to engage youth in learning about their world, their community and themselves.
At KIDS, we are working with teachers to apply the best practices in civic engagement through our model of service learning with the best practices in science instruction. The initiative started as a grant funded by Learn and Serve America called Youth as Citizen Scientists. Use the link to read more about it. I’m giving you the abbreviated version here.
In 2009-10, a “Design Team” of experienced middle level STEM service-learning practitioners collaborated with KIDS and the Maine Math and Science Alliance to use Curriculum Topic Studies to integrate innovative, research-based instructional strategies into their students service-learning projects. One focus was to explore how middle level students collect, analyze and apply data to authentic problems in their schools and communities. This focus really helped students with data!
In 2010-11 “Expansion Sites” were added, allowing more teachers and more students to build on the knowledge and experience of the “Design Team.” Check out the projects!
This year teachers are disseminating what they have learned by presenting at conferences and through a soon to be published STEM and service-learning supplement (STEM S-L Guide) to KIDS as Planners: a Guide to Strengthening Students, Schools and Communities through Service-Learning. More about the STEM S-L Guide in the coming weeks.
Love to hear about your STEM related efforts…
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