Service Learning

Barry Guillot presents Former Senator/ Astronaut John Glenn with a Wetland Watcher t-shirt in Washington D.C.

WHAT IS SERVICE-LEARNING?

Former U.S. Senator and astronaut, John Glenn recently described service-learning as “academics action.”

Cleaning up a river is service. Sitting in a science classroom, looking at water samples under a microscope is learning”

Students taking samples from local water sources, analyzing the samples, documenting the results and presenting scientific findings to a local pollution control agency is service-learning.

Service-learning is a method of teaching that enriches learning by engaging students in meaningful service to their schools and their communities. Through careful integration with established curricula, lessons gained from hands-on service heighten interest and enhance academic achievement, citizenship, and character development. Service-learning is a proven key to educational reform that also makes significant contributions to community development. (NYLC, 1994)