Service Learning

Throughout first year seminar I have had the opportunity to spend time learning about and doing service in science. The class has consisted of multiple in class activities like a puzzle for children at both app state university and a public library and a sustainability lunch. Out of class activities were also required and allowed for more diversity in opportunity including helping teach about app states creek. The last activity I took part in was a speech about scientific engagement in the Morgan lecture series.
The in class scavenger hunt was my most enjoyable experience of the semester. Watching the kids trying to figure out puzzles while learning about an important issue was very fulfilling to see. The premise of the exercise was that the kids had to find codes to undo locks on a box that contained a prize. The hints were all related to climate change and forced them to read about the issue or solve puzzles whose solution was a fact about climate change. The on campus version served as a sort of test run in a more controlled environment for the public library activities.


Other then in class activities I also got the opportunity to teach kids about the app state creek and how humans can impact the environment around them. By helping with the presentation I was also able to learn about the issue myself as I had never thought about road salt ruining streams. The App State stream was above safe salinity levels even though it should be clean as it is a mountain stream.





The last two activities I took part in didn't have to do with serving myself but learning about serving. The first was a sustainability lunch where everything that was used was reusable or biodegradable. This whole event was a great example of  teaching the general public about an issue through a fun and quick event. Secondly I attended a Lecture in the Morgan Lecture series where the guest speaker spoke about science abroad and specifically women in science. This was an eye opening experience as her comments on how women struggle to be in the scientific community due to child bearing responsibility or just general discrimination was extremely upsetting. Science should be something that anyone and everyone can take part in and enjoy and the fact that many activities like the ones from this class happen all across america doesnt change the fact that it can be an even bigger problem in other countries.

Overall the service learning opportunities in this class were fun exciting ways to do good for the community around me. Spreading scientific knowledge is a very important endeavor as it helps society to better understand the best ways to act. That may be regarding global warming and climate or workers conditions. Spreading awareness through service is one of the most fulfilling ways that anyone can spread scientific knowledge and I certainly found the experience trasnformative.