The three-year program scaffolds modules embedded in introductory geology, chemistry, and physics courses to a two-stage extracurricular service-learning program to promote interest, increase motivation, and build geoscience identity and community.
Each semester at NVC, four course modules designed for the three introductory science courses will expose ~900 prospective majors and minors to career prospects, role models, and applications of geoscience knowledge to tackle societal problems.
Two service-learning projects will engage students at NVC and UTSA, including newly transferred students. They will involve three different student groups that represent increasing levels of geologic knowledge and service-learning experience, while decreasing the level of faculty involvement.
One community need will be addressed through two levels of service-learning projects. The community need is to create interpretative guides to fully capture and describe the natural environment contained in local and regional parks for the public good.
Toward the middle of each semester, a bridging event will connect NVC program participants to people and resources at UTSA. The event will highlight courses for the degree, opportunities for service-learning projects, research projects, internships, departmental scholarships as well as connect students to other undergraduate and graduate students to help build peer networks. Collectively, the event will help eliminate known stresses for transfer students shifting to new learning environments.
Outcomes for student participation include academic, professional, and personal development in a number of areas:
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant Number 2119446. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.