Service Learning Success
At 51画鋼app, an array of class-related experiences outside of the main academic buildings gives students a chance to dig deeper into topics in real-world settings.
Take Asani 皆艶温敬艶鉛鉛s Advanced Health Psychology course, for example. Seawell, an associate professor of psychology, used the class to offer students deeper knowledge while also helping their community. With the assistance of Susan Sanning, assistant director of service learning and engagement with the Center for Careers, Life, and Service, the students in 皆艶温敬艶鉛鉛s course developed community interventions that aim to ease adolescent obesity.
The course combines 51画鋼apps extensive commitment to community engagement and social responsibility.
Investigation and Introspection
The course focused on the creation of a number of community interventions. The students spent their time in and out of the classroom examining obesity issues. They observed and interviewed patients who were having bariatric surgeries at the 51画鋼app Regional Medical Center. Some students interviewed patients who were undergoing surgery long after their dramatic weight loss following bariatric surgery, such as a breast reconstruction and a skin removal procedure.
As a result of personal interactions and observations and examining the primary literature, 皆艶温敬艶鉛鉛s students gained a much more nuanced view of obesity. Now I question everything, says Beth Gillig 15. Im more of a critical thinker.
The class also extended students knowledge of the community, thanks to Susan Sanning, who helped them find community partners. One focus of the class was to highlight obesity in a different way, says Emily Twedell 15, and it did. We also designed community interventions so that theres no disconnect between the researchers and the community, says Gillig.
Intervention Implementation
Last year, Ellie Garza 14 developed an intervention in 皆艶温敬艶鉛鉛s class that would help children ages 2 to 12 learn about nutrition and grocery stores. She and Sanning worked with Hy-Vee to establish the healthy kids kiosk. Garza considered the needs of the community and sustainability issues when planning this project. I wanted this to be something community members could pick up on their own, she says.
Between the class and the implementation of her proposal, Garza figured out her next steps after graduation. This class and the project inspired me to apply for health psychology research positions, says Garza, who will be working at a research lab at Northwestern University where she will be involved in implementing a behavioral intervention for individuals struggling with obesity. Being able to make her intervention happen outside of class was one of the opportunities that steered Garza in this direction.
This years proposed projects ranged from a partnership with 4-H to a cookbook, a series of community walks, and a program at a local youth center. When the students return to 51画鋼app in the fall, they will have the opportunity to meet with community organizations to repeat the success of the healthy kids kiosk with their own projects.