Assessing the Learning in Service Learning

Sarah QuastProfessor of ChemistryMiddlesex Community College (MA)

AMCOA regional conference – February 9, 2012

Overview of Presentation

How service learning is used in my course

How the project supports the learning outcomes of my course.

Assessment of student learning in a service learning project compared to traditional methods of assessment.

Goals for the Chemistry Course

You will value the importance of working and communicating with others in the pursuit and understanding of scientific information.

You will share your knowledge and understanding with others outside the course.

You will expand your understanding of Green Chemistry and awareness of the challenges and opportunities available.

Mechanics of the Project

• Girls from a local girls club, girls’ inc., come t o our college and do a chemistry experiment mentored by college students.

• My chemistry students , working in groups of 4, select the experiment, design it to be age appropriate in all aspects of the lab.

• My students also do a poster project on Green Chemistry for the activity.

Assessment

Reflective writings before, during and after the service learning project.

A survey using the Survey Monkey template.

Lab Report scores before and after the project

Results

About 400 students have participated in the project.

Overwhelming positive feedback(99%) from my students in their reflective writings and survey monkey results.

Girls’ Inc staff report that it is consistently one the most favorite activities they offer their girls.

The Project

Service Learning Project and Student Success-my observationsExpands student engagement through active participation.

Allows for a deeper understanding of the nature of science and chemistry in particular.

Increases student confidence in their ability to understand science.

In Their Own Words:

“Overall the learning project experience was a win-win situation. Not only did I enjoy being with the students, but I realized how much I retained and was able to share with them.”-Kathleen

“I feel that it was valuable because it is a way of teaching younger generations how cool is science(chemistry) and what chemistry can give to the planet and to our everyday life.” Aileen

In Their Own Words:

“I feel that this service learning project experience was valuable because, first of all, it connects people from different ages and groups together; second this is a good way to give a hand to nature, to our environment. Also, I learn a lot from it for my own life experiences.” Hoang

“This was valuable because I was able to reinforce what I’ve learned and confidently execute my knowledge and lab skills. And best of all – pass it on to the future of our world.” Tiffany

THANK YOU