P-16+ Service Learning
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P-16+ Service Learning Series
Getting the Word Out - December 10,
2001 |
P-16+
Service Learning & Career Preparation
Hosted by Illinois Community College Board in cooperation with Deputy
Governor for Education and Workforce; Illinois Board of Higher Education;
Illinois Community College Board; and State Farm Insurance
Background
Goals
Discussion Topics/Questions/
Recommendations
Agenda
During a recent Illinois Board of Higher Education meeting, John Landgraf, Abbott Laboratories Vice President, spoke about the need for engineers and that we can't wait until students are in high school or college to interest them in math and science. Mr. Landgraf said that we have to encourage youngsters that "math and science are cool." The board agreed that the target population is elementary and middle school.
On May 21 a group came together to discuss how we can promote a greater interest in math and science through service learning. This was the third in the service-learning series which is dedicated to creating awareness about the potential for service learning in the seamless system of education.
- To promote greater awareness of the potential for service learning as a vehicle to promote math and science
- To enlist high school and college students, and retirees who love math and science to share their views and activities with younger students.
- To discover a variety of programs that involve students in math and science, particularly females and minorities.
- Discuss personal and/or professional experiences with math/science and service learning. Why were they effective?
- What are the barriers to incorporating service learning as a part of math and science education?
- How can we increase the opportunities for math and science through P-16 service learning?
- How can we expand the awareness of P-16+ service learning?
Recommendations and Next Steps:
How can we increase the opportunities for math and science through P-16 service learning?
Several themes were heard in the discussions. We can roughly divide the ideas into providing access to ideas and curriculum suggestions, developing partnerships, understanding the process, and promoting an awareness among teacher educators.
Access to ideas and curriculum suggestions
Providing information about best practices, students stories, teacher stories, how to developing a program, and using the media and technology effectively.
Developing partnerships
Emphasize the development of partnerships both P-16 and with the community and business. Identify community influencers and champions
Understanding the process
Involve students from the beginning of the project. Students should be doing the needs assessment and determine why a project should be done. Projects should be real, skill-developing and include reflection.
Teacher educators
Preservice teachers writing about the rewards experienced
Mentoring with teachers who have done service learningHow can we expand the awareness of P-16+ service learning?
The theme of this discussion was directed toward information sources through teachers and students, identifying champions in community and state leaders, promoting statewide dissemination, and teacher development.
Publicity
Use websites, news coverage, and student publications and presentations to acknowledge the impact of service learning.
Connections
Provide a way for students to share information and to identify community and stare leaders who are influencers and champions.
1:00 p.m. Welcome: Joe Cipfl, President and CEO, Illinois Community College Board 1:05 p.m. Promoting Math and Science and Workforce Skills through P-16+ Service Learning Chair: Hazel Loucks, Deputy Governor for Education 1:15 p.m. Where We Are Jane Angelis, Director, Intergenerational Initiative, Editor, Continuance Magazine 1:25 p.m. The Benefits of Learning about Math and Science through Service Learning Hazel Loucks, Illinois State Board of Education Bob Hernandez, Keith MacIntosh, and Britta McKenna: Illinois Math and Science Academy Jennifer Nonemacher: Rockford Environmental and Science Academy 1:55 p.m. Charge for small groups Jane Angelis, Director, Intergenerational Initiative, Editor, Continuance Magazine 2:00 p.m. Break into small groups 3:30 p.m. Report to main group on recommendations Chair: Hazel Loucks 3:45 p.m. Next Steps 4:00 p.m. Adjourn
