COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICE LEARNING IN MINERALOGY

Community-based service learning is a form of experiential learning (EL) specifically developed to bring together faculty and students in projects that benefit society. Although more typically the realm of non-profits and social sciences, we have used this EL style to improve specific learning goals in student knowledge and affective domains in Mineralogy at Mason. Mineralogy students (including alumni) and the Northern Virginia Mineral Club, have come together since 2002 to put on an annual Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show on campus. The show connects Mason students to the public, non-academic mineral experts, and K-12 students and enhances the educational environment for everyone. Student service is essential for a successful event. We hypothesize that students will self identify increased interest, capacity and ability to apply their canonical knowledge and consequently improve understanding and retention of that knowledge.

The show has grown to 1400 visitors with nearly 600 being children (under 18) and 300 being in scouting. In addition to our other children’s activities, this year we will work with Boy Scouts of America to enable over 200 Cub Scouts to attain their “Science Everywhere” Nova awards, a new initiative which gives Cub Scouts recognition for knowledge within the sciences.