2019 Gumbo final - Book - Page 102
Service-Learning
Students Gain a Whole New Meaning to
Hands-on Learning
he University’s “Introduction to Engineering” class
learned how to use 3D software and printing
techniques to create learning tools they used to teach
math to Highland Elementary students.
The class, taught by biological and agricultural engineering
instructor Nicholas Totaro and biological and agricultural
engineering professor Todd Monroe, was designated as a servicelearning class by the Center for Community Engagement, Learning
and Leadership, a unit of Academic Affairs, for the first time last fall.
Totaro first contacted Highland Elementary and learned the math
target areas for kindergarten through third grade. The target areas
were then shared with his students.
Totaro’s students visited Highland Elementary in October to meet
with the elementary students, evaluate the resources available to
the students and to get input from the students for the projects.
Totaro said involving the elementary students in the design
process was a crucial part of determining what motivated them.
“You’re not just asking who your target audience is when you’re
doing a service-learning project,” Totaro said. “You’re getting the
community to give input for what you’re making.”
The three sections each focused on a different elementary grade
level, and University students were organized into teams of four for
the project: use 3D software and 3D printing to create a game or
learning tool for the students at Highland Elementary.
During the first visit, Totaro’s students learned that the Highland
Elementary students were interested in learning but needed more
tactile ways of learning.
“Hearing the children’s ideas and what they like allowed me to see
how eager they are to learn,” said biological engineering freshman
Katelynn Ross. “Being able to have an impact on them in their
learning process is a great privilege.”
Totaro’s students had one month to design a learning tool using
3D modeling software. Their designs were then 3D printed in
the Chevron Center for Engineering Education. Many of the
«Introduction to Engineering» students considered the design
process their favorite part of the class.
“The coolest thing was waiting for so long to get the design
printed and then finally having it in your hand,” said biological
engineering freshman Amber Munch.
Totaro was inspired to restructure the course by biological and
agricultural engineering professor Marybeth Lima, who teaches
biology in engineering and incorporated service-learning into
the curriculum by applying the concepts of engineering safety
standards to playground design.
In “Biology in Engineering,” students also volunteer with Volunteers
in Public Schools and tutor elementary students in reading or math
for at least 30 minutes per week. The “Introduction to Engineering”
also partnered with VIPS, but Totaro’s students participated in a
service project rather than volunteering on a weekly basis.
Totaro’s students returned to Highland Elementary to use the 3D
tools they created to teach the elementary students in November.
The University students enjoyed seeing the effects their learning
tools had on the elementary students.
“After we played our games with the same group of students
we had met the first time, we could see an improvement,” said
biological engineering freshman Angelica Nguyen.
Most of the learning tools created by the “Introduction to
Engineering” students were donated to VIPS. Totaro plans on
partnering with more local elementary schools for future sections
of “Introduction to Engineering.”
Story // Bailey Chauvin
Photo // Reveille Photographer
Design // Catherine Carpenter
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