A Model of International Service Learning

1. TCCTA Leadership Conference October 12, 2008 A Model of International Service Learning Dr. Brian Shmaefsky

2. Dr. Brian Shmaefsky Biology Professor and Service Learning Coordinator Lone Star College – Kingwood Kingwood, Texas, USA Dr. Brian Shmaefsky

3. Acknowledgements • Lone Star College System • Faculty International Exploration Grant • Lone Star College - Kingwood • Dr. Linda Stegall, Former President • Dr. Jon Connolly, Dean, MASH Division • Faculty Senate – Support and funding • Humble-Kingwood Fil-Am Foundation • Gawad Kalinga • University of Philippines Dr. Brian Shmaefsky

4. Lone Stare College – Kingwood Service Learning Mantra “I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.” -         Mahatma Gandhi Dr. Brian Shmaefsky

5. Criteria of Service Learning Projects at Lone Star College - Kingwood • Reinforces course curriculum • Involves voluntary efforts • Instills awareness of societal issues • Local • Global • Promotes leadership skills • Develops a lifelong civic responsibility ethic Dr. Brian Shmaefsky

6. Basis of Our Project • Service learning as a model for teaching students how to participate actively in shaping a sustainable future • It appropriately provides students with improved possibilities to take part in sustainable changes. • It provides students with Innovative methods in Higher Education characterized by a high degree of participation in the curriculum • It provides a vehicle for institutional changes towards improved participation and ways to improve students' participation. Dr. Brian Shmaefsky

7. Elements of Sustainable Development Economic Vitality  +  Environmental Sensitivity  + Social Responsibility + Community Preservation with Local Control   =  SUSTAINABILITY Dr. Brian Shmaefsky

8. What is the Lone Star College – Kingwood Project? Provides a teaching strategy in which students travel abroad to study natural disasters and their impacts on societies. Students then work on international service learning projects with an international community organization to restore communities poor people devastated by natural disasters. Dr. Brian Shmaefsky

9. What is the Lone Star College – Kingwood Project? It will serve as a model for teaching students: • How to integrate science concepts with social issues • How to design appropriate civic responsibility volunteer programs • How to assess factors that contribute to poverty and social strife • How to design universal sustainable models for resolving local and global societal issues Dr. Brian Shmaefsky

10. Used Philippines as a Model Population • Resolving the problems of the effects of natural disasters on: • People • Lifestyles • Economy • Resources • Global connections Dr. Brian Shmaefsky

11. Unparalleled Learning Opportunitiesfor Students • Students are designing projects that involve colleges in the development of community and global sustainable: • Agriculture – high yield crops • Energy – biomass to fuel • Water resources – Water capture & sanitation Dr. Brian Shmaefsky

12. Students assist HK Fil-Am & Gawad Kalinga Foundation? • Give students opportunities to assist locally • Public awareness • Fundraising • Organizational work • Give students opportunities to assist directly • Coursework involving travel to Philippines Dr. Brian Shmaefsky

13. Resources • http://www.networkforgood.org • http://www.globaled.org • http://www.sustainable.org Dr. Brian Shmaefsky

14. More Information Dr. Brian R. Shmaefsky Professor of Biology Service Learning Coordinator Lone Star College - Kingwood HSB 202V 20000 Kingwood Drive Kingwood, TX 77339-3801 USA Voice: 281-312-1609 Fax: 281-312-1653 brian.r.shmaefsky@lonestar.edu Dr. Brian Shmaefsky