The community outreach model of service-learning: A case study of active learning and service-learning in a natural hazards, vulnerability, and risk class

Abstract

The popularity of service learning is increasing, especially at a time when college students want to make a greater impact in their communities. However, service learning has not been extensively assessed in courses based in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This article provides a case study of how incorporating service learning through a community outreach project can increase student engagement, enhance the depth of understanding of a given topic, build communication and teamwork skills, and contribute meaningfully to the students’ community. This article shares how the instructor of a natural hazards, vulnerability, and risk course implements service-learning through a community outreach project and provides evidence for how such outreach can enhance student learning and address the common problem of student apathy and disengagement. Through this case study, the authors design, implement, and test a new model for community outreach-based service learning and discuss the transferability of this model to other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and social science courses.