University of Minnesota, Morris : SEAMS Projects

SERVICE LEARNING IN THE
MATHEMATICS DISCIPLINE
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The Mathematics Discipline of the University of Minnesota, Morris has moved into the forefront of  academic excellence with the addition of service learning component to its curriculum.  Three professors, Dr. Jon Anderson, Dr. Peh Ng and Dr. Engin Sungur received SEAMS (Science, Engineering, Architecture, Mathematics and Computer Science) Mini Grants from Minnesota Campus Compact in 1996.  These grants challenge the faculty to find innovative ways to address community/environmental hazards and concerns while enhancing students’ academic and civic understanding.

The initial grant was a two-phase project, coordinated by Benjamin Winchester (UMM '95).  The first phase began with one Mathematics course in winter quarter.  During this time, project goals consisted of 1) student awareness of service learning benefits and 2) building a partnership with the community from which future service learning could be addressed in a familiar setting.  Students had the opportunity to examine the current economic, demographic and environmental situation in the Stevens County area and to address community issues and problems, and how they relate to their coursework.

The second phase, which began in spring quarter and consisted of two rigorous courses, attained the goals of sustaining ability and commitment by all involved.  Students enrolled in these courses addressed issues of land use characteristics related to zoning, transportation, home values and environmental concerns.

This project initially came about in response to needs of the City of Morris, Minnesota in creation of the Ten-Year Comprehensive Plan.  Mr. Winchester determined appropriate areas of analysis for students in the various courses by attending meetings with community officials related to the completion of the Ten Year Comprehensive Plan.  The City of Morris began working on its Plan in October of 1995, and during the ten week courses, various community and regional organizations, related and unrelated to the Plan, were contacted to assist the students in their research.  Following the student analysis, their individual reports were compiled and presented to the City of Morris Planning Commission as a factual resource of Stevens County characteristics and baseline summaries to assist in the creation of the Ten Year Comprehensive Plan.

This is the first occasion, nationally, in which service learning hasbeen integrated successfully in Mathematics courses at a community level, and the faculty in the math discipline have done much to perpetuate the service learning methods used in their courses.  Montana Campus Compact filmed their Mathematics courses in action, and also interviewed many of the personnel involved.  The video they produced using this footage is called, "Service Learning for Scientific Literacy."  It was produced in 1997  Drs. Sungur and Anderson published an article together in the journal, The American Statistician (May, 1999), entitled "Community Service Statistics Projects." The national office of Campus Compact awarded Dr. Engin Sungur with a National Learn and Serve faculty Scholar Award for his scholarly creativity related to service learning.