Example Community-Engaged Learning Projects
Projects that relate to your major
Students can participate in a variety of activities that apply a wide range of skills. Some may wish to work on projects that either transcend or do not directly relate to a particular academic major. Examples of such projects might include:
- Work on a Habitat for Humanity project constructing housing for families with low incomes
- Organize/assist with voter registration
- Work with a neighborhood association
- Work with a public interest organization
- Work with a political campaign to encourage voter registration
- Assist with community events and projects such as museum activities, cultural awareness programs, fairs and festivals, Adopt-a-Highway, neighborhood clean-up/beautification days
- Serve as a mentor for a young person through Big Brothers Big Sisters, Scouting, 4-H or other youth organizations
- Help senior citizens with a variety of activities that enhance their quality of life
- Conduct a conservation project at a park, lakeshore or nature center
- Tutor elementary or secondary students in a variety of subjects, work with Literacy Volunteers of America, or serve as a "Reading Partner" to encourage youngsters to develop good reading habits
American Indian Studies
Tutor or serve as a mentor to a Native American elementary or secondary student; work with a Native American community development or social services organization; help develop oral histories of Native American culture; make presentations to elementary students about Native American culture.
Anthropology
Work with an organization that does anthropological research; volunteer with an anthropological museum; make presentations at local schools on different cultural groups in the U.S. and throughout the world; work with immigrants to preserve their heritage.
Art
Design brochures, annual reports, logos and other publications for a non-profit organization; teach art classes in community centers, senior centers, nursing homes or schools; serve as a docent with an art museum; visit local schools to promote appreciation for the arts; volunteer with a local arts council; create a neighborhood mural with area residents.
Biology
Perform an environmental study for a local government or community organization; conduct a conservation project in a recreation area or forest reserve; tutor secondary students in biology; serve as a judge for a science fair; present an interactive seminar for an elementary or secondary school class or club; organize a neighborhood beautification project; organize a community garden.
Chemistry
Test air, soil or water quality levels for a local government or community organization; tutor high school students in chemistry; organize or serve as a judge for elementary or secondary school science fairs; present an interactive seminar for an elementary or secondary school class or club.
Communication + Journalism
Help a non-profit organization create a public awareness campaign; design logos or prepare reports, brochures or newsletters for a non-profit organization or community agency; help a local news organization design a weekly community service program; work with a public access television station on community issue programming; help children produce a program on a local cable channel; write for a newspaper or newsletter that focuses on public issues that concern you; help start a small-town community newspaper; help with a community newspaper produced by school children.
Computer Science
Help a non-profit organization or human services agency create and maintain a database; teach computer skills to children, senior citizens or the disabled; conduct a computer needs assessment for a non-profit organization; tutor primary or secondary students in computer science; design an educational game to be used in schools; develop a computer system to track Goodwill or Salvation Army inventories; create electronic forms to collect intake information at social services agencies; develop a strategic plan for information systems management for a nonprofit agency.
Dance
Stage performances in nursing homes, schools or hospitals; offer a class in a local community center; teach children cultural dances; assist with a dance therapy program.
Economics
Perform an economic study/analysis for a local government or community organization; work with a consumer protection organization; work with a public interest group; tutor high school students in economics; work with Junior Achievement programs.
English
Tutor elementary or secondary school students; organize book-readings and discussions in a school, nursing home, church or hospital; prepare reports, brochures or newsletters for a non-profit organization or community agency; get involved with Literacy Volunteers of America; read to or tape-record books people who are visually impaired; help community agencies write grant proposals.
Foreign Languages
Serve as an interpreter or translator for those learning English or other languages; teach English as a second language; hold language classes for community groups; assist with cultural awareness programs; translate social services brochures into the native language of recent immigrants.
Geography
Conduct community planning studies or provide geographic information systems (GIS) assistance to community groups or governmental agencies; present special units on geography at local schools; conduct an assessment study for a downtown revitalization project; assist with a local comprehensive planning process; work on assessment projects for natural resources agencies.
Geology
Present special units on geology at local schools; organize and conduct geologic field excursions for children, senior citizens or disabled persons; volunteer at a natural history museum or local nature center; prepare geology displays for a museum or park; conduct geologic studies for a local government or community group; work with an environmental action group; serve as a judge for a school science fair.
History
Help prepare oral histories with senior citizens; serve as a docent at a history museum; create and present innovative history units for elementary and secondary students; conduct historical studies for communities, local organizations or faith communities; assist with local historic preservation activities and projects.
Latin American Studies
Work on community development projects in Latin American countries or Hispanic neighborhoods in the U.S.; organize and conduct cultural awareness programs or festivals; organize units on Latin American studies or conduct special projects with elementary students.
Mathematics
Serve as a math tutor for elementary and secondary school students or students with special needs; serve as a teacher's aide; work with a school math club or help with after-school programs.
Music + Theater Arts
Stage performances in schools and nursing homes; teach acting or music at a community center; perform or help with a non-profit organization, community theatre or musical group; provide music and theatre activities for after-school programs.
Philosophy + Religious Studies
Volunteer with organizations that provide conflict resolution and mediation; organize a community service group; participate in Alternative Winter Break activities with the Ecumenical Religious Center; develop a website for a religious congregation; work with a consortium of religious organizations on a social issue.
Physics + Astronomy
Tutor high school students taking physics courses; serve as a judge in an elementary or secondary school science fair; lead an after-school astronomy or physics program; help out at a science museum or children's learning center; volunteer at a community planetarium; organize a community star-gazing excursion.
Political Science
Volunteer with political campaigns; work with public interest organizations or political watch groups; help the League of Women Voters present community programs; help a human rights organization; serve on a community board or advisory committee; work with a neighborhood organization; help with a voter-registration drive.
Psychology
Volunteer at a crisis hotline; work with children in shelters, day-care centers, and schools; work with people who are mentally ill; work with families in transitional housing; volunteer in substance-abuse clinics, hospitals, and prevention centers; help non-profit organizations and social research agencies design statistical models to determine the needs of a special population.
Sociology
Volunteer in shelters, hospitals or social service agencies; work with an organization that does social research; volunteer in transitional homes for youth; work at a detention center; make presentations at local schools on different cultural groups in the U.S. and throughout the world; work with immigrants to preserve their heritage.
Accounting + Finance
Share accounting or finance skills with a non-profit organization, a religious congregation, a day-care center, or a homeless shelter; help a non-profit organization set up an accounting software package; present community workshops on personal accounting and money management; help a non-profit organization set up a budget and assist with developing a financial planning strategy.
Business Communication
Help organizations develop training programs for volunteers; help agencies develop ways to supervise, monitor, and support their volunteer staff; help organizations with fund-raising activities; help a community organization develop presentations; work with a Junior Achievement group.
Education
Please contact the Education Studies department for specific criteria and reporting for your community-engaged learning project through the required course ES385.
Kinesiology/Movement Science
Teach sports skills clinics in community centers; serve as a coach or referee for a youth sports league; serve as a counselor in a youth summer sports c& teach aerobics, calisthenics, or general fitness for hospitals, senior citizens centers, nursing homes or community organizations; help with Special Olympics.