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Service Learning in the Sciences: Mercy Values and Civic Engagement MERRILEE G. ANDERSON, PHD, MOUNT ALOYSIUS COLLEGE
ABSTRACT Like other Mercy institutions, Mount Aloysius College seeks to add unique value to an education system where academic focus is paramount. In the Science and Mathematics Department, the Mercy Critical Concern to “reverence Earth and work more effectively toward the sustainability of life and toward universal recognition of the fundamental right to water” has captured the attention and activism of the faculty and students. In the Allegheny Mountains of Pennsylvania, a history of coal mining has left a legacy of abandoned mine drainage (AMD) with acidic and alkaline discharges affecting more than 3,800 miles of Pennsylvania streams. While this allows unique opportunities to discuss and demonstrate biology and chemistry concepts, there are also prospects for service learning and undergraduate research. In the context of the Mercy values to “develop competence with compassion, put talents and gifts at the service of others, and assume leadership,” this presentation will share strategies to engage students in real, local issues to further their scientific understanding and develop citizenry skills. Students have created and distributed brochures and restaurant flyers to educate the public about AMD and remediation strategies. Students have developed and performed monitoring techniques involving water chemistry and biological diversity indices, such as macroinvertebrate sampling and diatom research. Such activities have led to collaboration in grant writing with other regional colleges, and hosting of workshops for high school teachers to maximize outreach impact. Most recently, students in a water ecology course developed Science In a Bag modules which were donated to a local elementary school. In each module a book about water quality was used as a resource to initiate scientific thinking, and instructions utilizing household materials were included to engage children in the scientific method. Modules included such topics as density, the water cycle, surface tension, and pollution run-off and were directly tied to Pennsylvania Department of Education standards for the appropriate target age. College students report that these projects require a greater effort on their part, but that the rewards are intellectual growth and commitment to good citizenry. BACKGROUND The Context of Science and Mathematics at Mount Aloysius College The job outlook of biological scientists is projected to grow much faster than average with a 21 percent increase from 2008-2018, according the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Biological scientists might focus their studies on plants, animals, microbiology, or some other specialty; with