By Brittany Berrens
University Relations student writer

The University of Wisconsin-Superior's Center for Academic Service-Learning has received a $25,000 grant to help science, math and technology students take their learning into the community.

The grant from the Midwest Campus Compact Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Consortium will be used to help combat childhood obesity as well as educate the community on the benefits of eating healthy, locally grown foods. UW-Superior will work with the College of St. Scholastica and the University of Minnesota Duluth to help the Douglas County Department of Health and the Institute for a Sustainable Future.

One UW-Superior class already is prepared to start working on a project. Students in Dr. Michelle Arnhold's Human Anatomy and Physiology class will work on the service-learning as a final project for the class. Plans have been discussed to organize a family health expo on campus, where students can present information on healthy eating and demonstrate how to cook locally grown foods.

The grant is part of an effort to get more science and math students involved in service-learning. Jenice Kienzle, coordinator of academic service-learning at UW-Superior, said science-related classes generally use service-learning less because students already spend so much time in the lab.

"Academic service-learning can not only meet community needs but educational goals as well," she said. "They'll be able to actually apply what they're learning in their class to the community."

Academic Service-Learning is a teaching strategy that provides students with opportunities to deepen their knowledge and learn new skills by matching academic goals to the needs of community organizations or small businesses. Students in an academic service-learning course apply concepts and skills they learn in the classroom and give that knowledge back to the community. In return, they gain practical experience while serving others.

Not only will students be helping community members with nutrition, but they'll gain an advantage when applying for jobs after graduation.

"We actually had a student in the business department who did service learning work with Habitat for Humanity," Kienzle said. "He discussed that work in a job interview and got himself a job. Students can sell themselves with this kind of experience."

"Knowing the curriculum is one thing," Kienzle added. "But applying it is really knowing it."
 
Academic Service-Learning is an innovative teaching strategy that provides students with opportunities to deepen their knowledge and learn new skills by matching academic goals to the needs of community organizations or small businesses. Students apply concepts and skills they learn in the classroom and give that knowledge back to the community.