Science Engagement

• COURSES

  • SCIB03H3

Coordinator: K. Persaud Email: scieng@utsc.utoronto.ca
Website: www.utsc.utoronto.ca/ctl/Science_Engagement

Science Engagement is an experiental learning approach to science education. The goal of Science Engagement is to deepen students' understanding of their academic discipline by helping them actively practice scientific concepts and approaches outside of the typical classroom environment. By experiencing the relevance of what they study, students regain an appreciation of and motivation for science learning. Through a range of experiences, we simultaneously help undergraduates reach out to their communities and broaden the way they learn science.

Science Engagement uses the pedagogical approach of "Service Learning" which links discipline-specific concepts and approaches with direct practice through the continual, transformative process of critical reflection. Through Science Engagement, students can carry out their service and actively apply their academic knowledge in either of two ways:

1. Community outreach, where students bring concepts and approaches taught in the science classroom to science interested parties within the off-campus community such as area schools, NGOs, community groups and laboratories or
2. Classroom in-reach, where students deepen their knowledge by using their own educational experience in a completed UTSC undergraduate science course to enrich the learning of students currently in that course.

Students carry out their service learning experience (whether community outreach or classroom "in-reach") through the course SCIB03H3, "Introduction to Service Learning in the Sciences". For placement opportunities and complete application procedures, students should visit the website: www.utsc.utoronto.ca/ctl/Science_Engagement



SCIB03H3 Introduction to Service Learning in the Sciences

A service learning course in which students work with science-interested parties and apply discipline-specific academic concepts while in the service of others. Students might work with either (1) the instructor of a course previously taken to enhance the learning of students currently taking that course ("classroom in-reach"), or (2) science-interested community partners such as area schools, research laboratories or charitable organizations ("community outreach"). SCIB03H3 involves both 6-7 hrs./wk. placement component and a 2 hrs./wk. in-class lecture component. Problem solving, professional communication and self reflective learning skills will be developed. Evaluation is based on in-class participation, self-reflective writing and experiential ePortfolio creation.
Limited enrolment: 30
Prerequisite: (1) Completion of 4.0 full credits & (2) selection of a U of T Scarborough major or specialist subject POSt offered by Biological Sciences, Computer & Mathematical Sciences, Physical & Environmental Sciences, or Psychology & (3) acceptance of the Science Engagement application form which can be downloaded from the website, (www.utsc.utoronto.ca/ctl/Science_Engagement), and should be emailed to scieng@utsc.utoronto.ca. GPA and communication skills will also be considered.
Exclusion: (SCIB01H3), (SCIB02H3)