Abstract:
Service learning (SL) is a well-recognized teaching approach that integrates meaningful community service with classroom learning. Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud is a successful SL activity that connects student and faculty expertise with Family and Consumer Science (FCS) Extension agent programming. Students develop and test quality, nutritionally-sound, recipes using locally grown fruits and vegetables. Student interest in the project and knowledge of FCS Extension were significantly enhanced during the course of the semester. As well, 99% of students would recommend this project to a peer. On a scale of 1-7 (7=incredibly important), students rank the importance of real-life applications in coursework as 6.31 ± 0.97; 35% of students would take a section of a course just because it incorporates such applications. Students developed their nutrition knowledge, team building skills and communication skills through the project. Agents also positively reflected on this collaboration with 100% of surveyed agents recommending the project to their colleagues. On a scale of 1-7 (7=incredibly interested), agents ranked their overall interest as 6.40 ± 0.52. This successful collaboration serves as an example of students, faculty and administrators engaging with well-established community partners to have a significant impact on community health and student learning.
Key Words:
Service Learning, Family and Consumer Science
 11 Stephenson NACTA Journal Dec 2012.pdf | [ ] | 375 kB |
