One of the most popular placement sites for Missouri State University (MSU) service-learning students each semester is the Discovery Center of Springfield (DCS). Biomedical Sciences major Cassie Donahue completed 40 hours of service there last fall semester and found it to be an enriching experience. She recently gave some insight into her time at the DCS and how undertaking service-learning has helped her. Why did you decide to do service-learning? I wanted to start getting involved in the "real-world" scene behind biomedical science. When I discovered I would have the opportunity to volunteer at the DCS, I was thrilled at the thought of being able to teach what I love to others. How was your service-learning experience? Very rewarding! Working at the DCS is fun and fulfilling, and I love getting to share my passion about science with others. What have you learned from doing service-learning? Teaching and guiding children and teens through science is rewarding, and a worthwhile investment of my time. In high school, I struggled with chemistry so I was turned off to … [Read more...] about Service-learning spotlight: Cassie Donahue
It’s not every day one gets to interact with wild animals up close and personal. But Wildlife Biology student Katlyn Gardner got to do just that this fall—thanks to her service-learning experience at Dickerson Park Zoo in Springfield. A Citizenship and Service-Learning (CASL) staff visited her recently during one of her shifts at the zoo to find out more about why she decided to do service-learning and how she has benefited from the exposure. Why did you decide to do service-learning? I knew service-learning would give me an opportunity to work at the Dickerson Park Zoo and I really wanted to do this. Visiting zoos when I was younger got me interested in wildlife biology and I saw this as a perfect way to get my feet wet in the field. How did you secure your placement at Dickerson Park Zoo? I decided to do service-learning quite late in the semester so I spoke with a CASL staff to see if I could still do it. She said yes as long as the zoo was willing to accept me. I called the director and it all worked out. How has your service-learning experience been? It’s been a … [Read more...] about Service-learning spotlight: Katlyn Gardner
Every Thursday, after the school day ends at Robberson Community School, a group of about 16 kids gather excitedly in the school’s gymnasium to participate in a lively Opera Workshop made possible through Missouri State University’s (MSU) service-learning program. The workshop began last year as part of the integrated service-learning element in the MUS 193: Opera Workshop course led by Dr. Ann Marie Wilcox-Daehn, MSU’s director of opera and assistant professor of voice, and was held for the second time this fall. During the 45-minute workshop, Dr. Daehn and her 16 students engage the Robberson kids in singing, music, dancing and drama, as well as hands-on activities related to opera such as making puppets and designing costumes. “It’s a perfect environment for the kids to release their energy after a long day in class, play with each other, make discoveries about the arts and explore their creativity,” Dr. Daehn explained. “We’re investing in the school because music and the arts help kids learn and become successful. We want to create a generation of kids who appreciate … [Read more...] about Instilling in kids a love for opera