October 17
What:
Stop Hunger Now Meal Packing Event
Where: Bost Theater
When: 11:00 am.
October 28-30
What: Extension Annual Conference CASLE Open House
Where: CASLE Office
311-C Bost
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Stay Connected
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Dr. Ryalls' students participating in a videoconference call with their community partner, Dr. Judith Breeland.
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Fall 2014 Service-Learning Highlight
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Dr. Emily Ryalls' Elements of Persuasion class (College of Arts and Sciences) partnered with Dr. Judith Breland of the Stone County Mississippi Homemaker Volunteers to work on the "Bucks for Books" campaign to raise funds for the purchase of books for several Stone County school libraries. The schools are participating in the Accelerated Reader program, and many of the children are struggling to find books on their reading level to meet their AR goals. Dr. Ryalls' class will generate ideas to help make "Bucks for Books" a successful campaign to highlight the libraries' needs to the community, and to raise funds to purchase the much-needed volumes.
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On October 28-30, we will be hosting our second Open House as a part of the Annual Extension Conference taking place in Bost Theater.
We invite you to come to CASLE's office (Bost, room 311-C) to say "hello" and to grab a snack and a drink. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have about CASLE or service-learning.
While you are here, don't forget to register for a chance to win an iPad (more details to come during conference).
Can't make it to our Open House? We can come to you! Let us know if you'd like us to host an informal "open house" in your department. We will be happy to set up an information booth and answer any questions. |
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Mississippi Sweet Potato Innovation Challenge Is On!
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We are thrilled to let you know we have received a USDA grant to fund the Sweet Potato Innovation Challenge for the next three years.
Every year, tons of less-than-perfect-looking sweet potatoes (culls) are discarded. The "Challenge" is an Extension-driven effort to find uses for these culls. Students enrolled in service-learning classes partnering with the Sweet Potato Innovation Challenge are finding new ways of using otherwise-discarded raw material. To facilitate real-world learning, the product proposals which meet the Challenge requirements will be awarded a budget for prototype development. Additionally, a cash prize will be awarded to the winning team at the end of each year. Contact us if you would like to participate in the 2015-2016 Challenge through a service-learning class.
To learn more about the Mississippi Sweet Potato Innovation Challenge click here.
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For the Extension Service
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In many communities, organizations like the Kiwanis, Rotary, or Lions Club, earmark funds for projects focusing on youth. Determining the application requirements may jump-start a service-learning project idea. For example, the local Kiwanis chapter may offer a grant for an art project for youth. This grant could fund purchasing and developing disposable cameras. Th 4-H group members can take pictures of unique places in the community that are special to them, then display the images in the local library, and organize a story telling event to celebrate their town's history and unique features.
Let us know if we can help with with your service-learning projects!
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Publication venue
Focus Area: Undergraduate service-learning experiences
Publication Title:
Reflection, an important component of service-learning, sometimes seems daunting to students. One way to encourage student reflection is to require writing about the service-learning project in a formal way, and submitting the writing for publication. The journal above publishes articles by the undergraduates only, in three categories:
1. Articles featuring the development and impact of a service-learning project on the community served.
2. Service-learning case studies.
3. Reflections on development of personal leadership skills as a result of service-learning.
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Service-Learning Fact
Service-learning is "nothing new." The oldest service-learning program in the United States, the Joint Educational Project, was formed in 1972 at the University of Southern California (see
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Service-Learning Funding Sources
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There are many ways to fund service-learning projects. The type of funding which a faculty member, an extension agent, or a community organization seeks depends on the focus and scope of the project. An extensive, multi-year effort (like MSU's Sweet Potato Innovation Challenge) requires a large grant to cover salaries, travel expenses, equipment, and more. On the other hand, a smaller effort like a 4-H community health and fitness promotion campaign would require much less funding to cover, for example, rental of a workshop space, healthy snacks, t-shirts for participants, and printing of informational booklets.
In each of our newsletters we feature a number of grants which could be used for a variety of projects. Perhaps browsing through them will spark an idea for a service-learning project; let us know if we can help you bring it to life! |
 Youth Development * American Honda Foundation The American Honda Foundation provides grants of $20,000-$75,000 over a one-year period for initiatives focusing on youth education, specifically in the areas of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, the environment, job training and literacy. The applications are reviewed quarterly; upcoming submission deadlines are November 1 and February 1.
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 Health Promotion and Nutrition To be eligible for the 2015 Youth Garden Grant, the school or organization must plan to garden in 2015 with at least 15 children between the ages of 3 and 18. The winning proposals will demonstrate relationship between the garden program and education related to the environment, health and nutrition issues, character education, and entrepreneurship. Submission deadline: December 5.
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 Science, Technology, Engineering & Math
This grant program funds the development of innovative products and experiences advancing informal STEM learning. These may include: exhibitions and programs in museums and other educational environments; after-school and summer programs; media programs or series; DYI/maker initiatives, research related experiences such as citizen science, and on-line experiences (i.e., games, simulations, social media, massive online open courses), and more.
Multiple funding levels are available. Submission deadline: November 14.
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 Economic and Consumer Development The Economics program supports research designed to improve the understanding of the processes and institutions of the U.S. economy. The program welcomes proposals for individual or multi-investigator research projects, doctoral dissertation improvement awards, conferences, workshops, symposia, experimental research, data collection and dissemination, computer equipment, and research experiences for undergraduates. Interdisciplinary proposals are especially encouraged. Submission deadline: January 18, 2015.
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 Global Affairs Cisco donates networking technology to qualified nonprofit organizations globally. The company supports programs that benefit the public, and make innovative use of the Internet and communications technology. Cisco Product Grants focus on underserved populations and help them address critical human needs, access to education, and economic empowerment. Multiple award levels are available; the application process is year-round.
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Center for the Advancement of Service-Learning Excellence
Phone: (662) 325-2370
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