Learning by serving
Service learning — knowledge that meets real need
Service learning is a teaching approach that integrates academically relevant service — addressing genuine human and community needs — into a course of study.
Students connect knowledge and theory to practice by combining service with reflection in a structured learning environment, meeting societal needs while gaining a progressive, hands-on education.
Sample projects
Cross-curricular service in action
- Adopt a highway and keep it clean
- Clean up a local stream, park or pond
- Run an awareness campaign on a health and prevention topic
- Clear a vacant lot and landscape it with native vegetation
What students gain
Skills that outlast the project
Critical Thinking
Students learn to bring disparate elements of experience together, analyse patterns and make sound evaluations.
Reflection
Combining service with structured reflection helps students learn from what they do.
Theory to Practice
Service learning connects academic knowledge and theory directly to real community needs.