A newly released publication from the KIDS Consortium, a Maine non-profit organization, is designed to help educators integrate service-learning into STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) content areas.
“Integrating Scientific Practices Through Service-Learning: Engaging Students in STEM” is available for free as a download from the KIDS Consortium website.
The guide is the result of a collaboration among the KIDS Consortium, the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance and schools around New England that participated in a two-year initiative known as Youth as Citizen Scientists in which middle-school students worked with their teachers and community partners to address environmental issues (such as waste reduction and energy efficiency) in their schools.
The service-learning guide is available for download at www.kidsconsortium.org/stem_service_learningguide.php.
The KIDS Consortium website also has information about the Youth as Citizen Scientists initiative, including links to descriptions of the student-implemented projects at www.kidsconsortium.org/stem.php.
In addition, the KIDS Consortium website lists a number of professional development opportunities for educators at www.kidsconsortium.org/professional_development.php.