Service Learning
The Institute for Education is committed to having many opportunities for our students to learn and engage outside of Adrian College. Scroll through the page to see pictures and details about each opportunity, or click the provided links to go directly to that opportunity.
Stubnitz Environmental Education Center
March is Reading Month (2013)
Adrian College students read to the children at the Lincoln Elementary Preschool.
Kappa Delta Pi
Back Row: Julianna Whiteman, Michelle Hiscock, Michelle Hunsaker, Rebecca Knight, Loren Hayes, Malory Stoel, Brittany Griebe, Madeline Thomas
Front Row: Lindsay Cote, Brittanie Kuhr, Brittany Basch
The Lambda Upsilon chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, an International Honor Society in Education, initiated 12 new members this past December. This honor society is available to students pursuing a degree in education. Their adviser, Michelle Hiscock, an Assistant Professor in the Teacher Education department, and Brittanie Kuhr, the chapter president, have worked together to restructure Kappa Delta Pi and bring it back to the Adrian Campus. Their goal this semester is to help foster excellence in education and promote fellowship among students within the Teacher Education Department.
YMCA Preschool at Lincoln
The Teacher Education Department at Adrian College is partnering with the YMCA and Adrian Public Schools to offer the first ever educational preschool class housed at Lincoln Elementary. The YMCA preschool at Lincoln is a laboratory classroom for the Education students at Adrian College. The program is designed for children in the community and also for the children of faculty at Adrian College. Lincoln Elementary is an International Baccalaureate® Primary Years Program candidate school. Sara Rober, the preschool teacher, is an Adrian College graduate where she earned her degree in Elementary Education. Sara’s experience includes teaching Kindergarten, 4th grade, and 5 years as a preschool teacher. Adrian students working with the children include Taylor Hudson, Jenny Wend and Jessica Raymor. The Adrian College students are pursuing certification in elementary education. Some will add an endorsement in Early Childhood Education.
The preschoolers participate in many activities. For instance, an Adrian College teacher candidate from the Educational Technology class used an iPad with the children. The activity correlated with the Michigan Department of Education Early Childhood Education, Technology Standard #1. Students were asked to draw a spider on the iPad from their previous lesson and to talk about what they remembered.
Visit the classes website at: http://ymcalincoln.shutterfly.com/
Visit the IB website at: https://www.ibo.org/pyp/
MIS Partnership
This summer, Adrian College began a partnership with MIS in the form of a Science Outreach Program. Professor Penny Cobau-Smith and Dr. Jeff Lake led the program at MIS. Students from secondary science in the Teacher Education Department as well as students from the Biology Department worked together to study the invasive species in the Graves Campsite area of MIS and to develop lessons and activities for area school children. On May 24, 2012, 140 Onsted fifth grade students enjoyed a day at MIS which included a guided trail walk and water quality lessons and labs. This fall the program continues with field trips planned through early November. Funding is provided by Adrian College and MIS and associated partners to provide work study opportunities and field experience opportunities for TED students and science students at Adrian. Currently, 5 TED students participate but increased interest and funding will expand the program.
Adrian College supports the philosophy of Academic Service Learning. Academic Service Learning, or ASL, integrates hands-on community service with in-class readings, writings, and discussions (http://www.adrian.edu/news/contact/s02/servicelearning.php). TheInstitute for Education facilitates this philosophy of ASL through its goals and objectives. To illustrate, strong ASL and Clinical Field Experiences are an integral component of the Teacher Education program.
March is Reading Month (2012)
Stubnitz Environmental Education Center
One example of teacher education students integrating hands-on community service with in-class readings, writings, and discussions is their volunteer work with Lenawee Intermediate School District Stubnitz Environmental Education Programs (LISD SEEP) website: http://seec.lisd.us. These programs offer environmental science investigations in an interdisciplinary format of age-appropriate programs for Lenawee County students through school field trip programs at Stubnitz Environmental Education Center. The Center was created through a unique partnership involving education, community, agencies, businesses and government, with a mission is to provide all people with a living laboratory for lifelong learning, instilling stewardship for the natural environment (http://seec.lisd.us/).
LISD SEEP field trips use a variety of inquiry activities, simulations, and hands-on experiences with the natural environment and are designed in accordance with Michigan Science Grade Level Content Expectations (GLCEs) for grades K-7 and the Michigan High School Science Content Expectations (HSCEs). Adrian College students assist in Stubnitz Environmental Education Programs by leading small group activities, conducting experiential activities, and guiding students on interpretive trail hikes.