Service Learning Commons^™

The Digital Divide: The Path Towards Digital Inclusivity, Angelica Gonzalez Almanza

Social Justice | Senior Theses

The gap between those Americans who use or have access to ICTs and those who do not is referred to as the digital divide (PACEs, 2002). The pandemic has increased dependence on technology and exacerbated the digital divide, which perpetuates existing systems of racism and poverty (Early et al., 2021). In this study, a mixed-method approach was conducted to understand what digital literacy skills parents need to overcome the digital divide and support their child's education. Specifically, the study explored how the program Impact Technology training has affected parents' involvement with their child's education. There were 175 Latinx parents that …

Assessing 4-H And Its Circle Of Courage In A Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility: A Case Study, Elizabeth Steering

Theses and Dissertations--Family Sciences

This 4-H case study takes place in a psychiatric residential treatment facility (PRTF) in Kentucky. The PRTF provides clinical services to youth that are not able to be safely maintained in their homes due to having demonstrated unsafe or harmful behaviors. Youth admitted to the PRTF stay for an average of three to six months while they receive intensive therapeutic and psychiatric care as well as medical treatment and public schooling. The current case study incorporates programming from 4-H, which is the youth development program of the Cooperative Extension System (CES) and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), …

Print3d, A Service-Learning Project For Improving Visually Impaired Accessibility Through Educational 3d Printing, Oscar R. Lozano

Journal of Pre-College Engineering Education Research (J-PEER)

Well-executed service-learning projects are a high-value educational element. However, these projects commonly focus on overused topics and unbalanced executions which can produce the opposite effect to that desired when working with groups of people with functional diversity. PRINT3D is a service-learning project aimed at improving accessibility for people with visual disabilities while helping primary and secondary school students learn basic engineering skills through 3D design and printing. Under the support of the European Erasmus+ Programme, this project brought together nongovernmental organizations, teacher professional development centers, business enterprises, and educational centers to collaborate for two school years. The project activities aimed …

Effect Of Covid-19 Pandemic On Volunteerism And Fundraising Management Strategies In Nonprofits And Rebuilding Tactics Of Ronald Mcdonald House Charities Of Chicagoland And Northwest Indiana (Rmhc-Cni), Humza Wolf

Student Capstone Projects

The financial sustainability of nonprofits depends highly on volunteerism and funding strategies which got impacted during Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic. This capstone study explores to what extent nonprofits got affected and evaluates the efforts of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana (RMHC-CNI) to improve the provision of support for underprivileged families of critically ill children. The continual efforts to overcome financial hurdles escalated in pandemic. Mixed method research design was used to collect, analyze, and triangulate both quantitative and qualitative research methods in this single study to understand the research problem. Interpretive approach encompassed the complexities of …

Science, Technology, Engineering, And Mathematics (Stem) Project-Based Learning (Pbl) Education: A New Mexico Case Study For Equity And Inclusion, Kimberly A. Scheerer

Teacher Education, Educational Leadership & Policy ETDs

This research addresses how student participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) project-based learning (PBL) education activities encourages underrepresented minority student achievement in STEM career field trajectories. Seven New Mexico high school counselors and 12 STEM organization personnel were interviewed during this study. Their responses represent the nuanced professional voices where New Mexico public education intersects with STEM student interest and cultural influence.

For students, STEM PBL can foster deep integration across educational disciplines and enhance STEM career trajectory interest and readiness. STEM education converged with PBL methodologies has the ability to leverage community support while broadening student networks. …

Staying Engaged While Staying Home?: Service-Learning, Writing, And Covid-19, Christopher Iverson

The SUNY Journal of the Scholarship of Engagement: JoSE

As an approach to writing instruction that has traditionally required students to engage in in-person community projects, service-learning has also traditionally involved risks. For example, students engaging in service-learning without proper support often do not approach community partners with the appropriate respect, and when university stakeholders fail to make clear what their side can offer in a partnership, they can leave community partners in the lurch when the semester ends and students finish their community-engaged coursework. These risks can be mitigated through education and reflection for instructors and students alike. The COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing social distancing orders, however, left …

High-Impact Learning Experiences And Post-Graduate Outcomes: Exploring The Influence On Employment, Continuing Education And Salary, Alison Handy Twang

The SUNY Journal of the Scholarship of Engagement: JoSE

With the cost of college on the rise, and students increasingly viewing college as a pathway to a successful career, colleges and universities are under increasing pressure to demonstrate evidence of their effectiveness. High-impact learning experiences, such as internships, study abroad, service-learning, capstones and undergraduate research, have emerged as a promising practice to enhance student development during college; however, few studies have examined the impact of such practices on post-graduate indicators of success. This paper adds to our understanding of the benefits of high-impact learning by examining their influence on student post-graduate employment, continuing education and starting salary. The data …

Exploring The Impact Of The Habitat For Humanity Home-Building Process On Partner Families' Holistic Well-Being, Hawkley Pusey, Nikhil Mathur, Kathryn Figliomeni, Nanditha Srinivasan, Keely R. Dehn, Jason A. Ware

Purdue Journal of Service-Learning and International Engagement

The purpose of this study was to evaluate how participating in the Habitat for Humanity house-building process influenced participants’ purpose well-being, social well-being, community well-being, physical and mental well-being, and financial well-being, and how effective Habitat for Humanity is in aiding neighborhood revitalization within the Greater Lafayette area. The research project resulted in a presentation of quantitative data and a testimonial video that highlighted the stories of families that had worked with Habitat for Humanity. Quantitative data was gathered through a survey that addressed respondents’ levels of satisfaction within the various categories of well-being mentioned above. Testimonial information was gathered …

Building The Bridge To Healing And Learning Website Leading To Creating A Therapeutic School Experience For Students With Adverse Childhood Experiences, Developmental Trauma, And Mental Illness, Linda Miller

IPS/BAS 495 Undergraduate Capstone Projects

TeachTheraBridge is the domain name for the website I created called Bridge to Healing and Learning. The purpose of the website is to share my big idea about creating a therapeutic school experience for children and youth with adverse childhood experiences, developmental trauma, and mental illness”.

I have asked the question, “What would happen if we combined school and therapy using a Reggio Emilia approach in specialized local classrooms and/or in a comprehensive day treatment center?” The website explores this question and goes into depth about the Reggio approach and about therapies to integrate into the school day. The website …

The Void Of Covid: Cmhs, Sabrina Basharyar

Second-Year Seminar Posters (COE 202)

This poster attempts to provide information on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on local high schools in Las Vegas, specifically Cimarron-Memorial High School. Findings include chronic absenteeism, phone usage, and engagement levels.

Society For Ideas: What Makes A Great Online Community?, Jessica Johannesen

IPS/BAS 495 Undergraduate Capstone Projects

I studied and researched for Society For Ideas what would make a great online community for their demographic. In this I collaborated and interviewed their staff and students, and surveyed their population along with the outside population to compare and contrast the findings. After analyzing the data I helped ideate a meaningful solution and developed a presentation for their benefit.

Helping Animals Find Their Forever Homes, Madison P. Wilmot

IPS/BAS 495 Undergraduate Capstone Projects

Animals in shelters and foster care face unique challenges. The goal of this project is to come up with a creative solution to the major problems the animals face. The main problems the shelters are facing are overpopulation and negative environments. The foster care takers are struggling with a lack of resources, which is anything from education to connecting to other foster care takers. After researching the main problems, the best solution was creating a website that provides solutions and can be accessed at any time.

Diversity And Engagement In Supplemental Elementary Art Education, Maggie Espinoza Sennesael

IPS/BAS 495 Undergraduate Capstone Projects

In this project, I identified two main issues in standard elementary level art education through consultation with a teacher (second grade, public school), and research. These issues are the apparent lack of diversity in the selection of artists that are included in lessons, as well as a tendency for children’s art activities to be oversimplified or limited in regard to their potential for creative expression and overall engagement. In an effort to address these two issues, I designed and assembled an educational resource (digital lesson/activity book) that would include a diverse range of artists for students to learn about as …

The Power Of Positivity, Jennifer A. Oliver

IPS/BAS 495 Undergraduate Capstone Projects

My capstone project was writing a book for children between the ages of 8-10 years old that promotes positive thinking.

Conflict, Technology, And Integrative Thinking: The Past And Future Of Geopolitical Conflict, Paul L. Johnson

IPS/BAS 495 Undergraduate Capstone Projects

Conflict is constantly evolving, and it is evolving even faster now that the world finds itself in an age where information travels at the speed of light. Scholars of military doctrine and generational warfare are currently pondering the effects of cyber warfare on the already hectic and confusing fourth generation battlespace. Invariably, generals, pundits and politicians alike in countries across the world vie to acquire these “capabilities” for their benefit and the benefit of their nation. The last time a cutting-edge advance in kinetic weaponry was made in the form of the atomic bomb, hundreds of thousands of civilian lives …

The Simplicity Of Connecting With Our Children, Mindy M. Salcido

IPS/BAS 495 Undergraduate Capstone Projects

Connecting with our children is something that many parents struggle with but often overthink. It is often through being purposeful and present that we create times to connect. To help parents and children find fun ways to connect, I wrote a book showing a mom and son doing everyday activities together. In addition to completing a reading of this book to local families in my community, I also created a brochure that provided a list of activities as well as some of the benefits of connecting with our children. At the completion of the reading event, we had a Q …

Community Pet Food Drive And Pet Food Pantry, Katie M. Sipe

IPS/BAS 495 Undergraduate Capstone Projects

My capstone project entailed a community pet food drive held at the Star Albertsons where all the donations were donated to the local food bank in Star. I also was able to create a place for a permanent barrel located in front of the local Star Outreach Food Bank for pet food only donations.

Digital Transformation And Higher Education, Teresa M. Amos

IPS/BAS 495 Undergraduate Capstone Projects

Digital Transformation (Dx) is defined as “a series of deep and coordinated culture, workforce, and technology shifts that enable new educational and operating models and transform an institution’s operations, strategic directions, and value proposition” (Radhakrishnan, 2022). This definition doesn’t mean that it is just for information technology departments in higher education to learn and deploy. But it is an overall cultural and business analysis of a university or college to make sure that the technology investments in an institution align with goals of the institution with student success endeavors as a key measurement.

Unfortunately, it is often lost on many …

Writing A Children’S Book Series About Software Development, Michelle M. Petit

IPS/BAS 495 Undergraduate Capstone Projects

My capstone project consisted of creating and publishing a series of three children’s books covering topics related to software development. I wrote the books myself and then edited and formatted them on storyjumper.com with some assistance from my son, Maurice Petit.

Transitioning To Civilian Life, Walter A. Pineda

IPS/BAS 495 Undergraduate Capstone Projects

Every military personnel will eventually leave the service for civilian life. Their success is largely attributed to preparation. In order to be prepared a service member needs to be well informed about the services offered to them. My capstone project aims to provide service members with this information in a clear and concise manner. Utilizing research and military experience I will compile a booklet that will allow transitioning service members to be better informed. A survey will be used to obtain quantifiable data to better understand the capstones impact on my intended audience.