Transcript Document

The Science Shop
Promoting student engagement with
the community sector.
Claire Mulrone
The Science Shop: So what is it?
 The Science Shop is a community outreach initiative working with
community groups, voluntary agencies and social enterprises
across Northern Ireland.
 The Science Shop engages students across a variety of
disciplines in community based projects undertaking the work as
part of their course.
 Groups put forward ideas, students/staff provide the knowledge
and together we get results for the community or voluntary
partners.
The Science Shop : Why the name?
 The Science Shop is based on a Dutch model.
 Translated from the Dutch word wetenschapswinkle.
 Science is translated as knowledge.
 International Network of Science Shops.
The Science Shop
Community partners include :
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Community groups.
Voluntary agencies/umbrella organisations.
Charities local & international.
Social Enterprises.
The Science Shop : Projects requested..
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Evaluation of a community service.
Market research.
Scoping exercises.
Policy reviews.
Public perception surveys.
The Science Shop : The demand for help
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Requirement of funding body.
Review of existing service provision.
Resource implications.
Independent evidence based project to support funding
application.
 Lobbying.
 The Science Shop is a free resource.
The Science Shop : Engaging students!
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Request access to students.
Presentation: final semester 2ndyr or 1st semester final yr.
Dissertations (normally 12 to 24 weeks)
Module projects (12 weeks)
Individual engagement with students.
Direct negotiations with partner.
Completion of project.
Dissemination of results to partner.
Evaluation.
The Science Shop : Completed Projects
 Managing volunteers: exploring a best practice model or
the management of volunteers in Health and Social Care
settings.
 Explore online technologies in order to create a strategy for
Charitable/third sector organisations in Northern Ireland
 Design an disability educational pack to be used in primary
schools.
The Science Shop : Completed Projects
 Explore the smacking controversy in Northern Ireland,
recording views, attitudes and beliefs of a sample of
students training in professional areas.
 A criminological analysis into secondary school teachers’
perceptions and knowledge of restorative justice and the
youth conferencing service.
 Develop a public relations strategy for the voices of young
people in care.
The Science Shop : Students undertaking
module projects
 Marketing Management module : Coleraine : 85 final year
students.
 Account Management and Planning module : Magee : 36
second year students.
 Vertical Project : Coleraine : 50 final year students.
The Vertical Project
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Compulsory final year module in Geography
Final year student lead a science shop project
Project manage first and second year students.
First & Second year students members learn from older
students.
 Complete a Science Shop project in the first semester
 Statistical reports provided to groups
The Vertical Project
The Science Shop Vertical Statistics 2009
Final Year students
Second year students
First year students
Total
50
50
50
150
The Vertical Project
Assessment
 Final Year
(a) project report 35%
(b) log book 35%
(c) Seminar 20%
(d) GANT chart / Plan 10%
 First and second years
(a) Project report/seminar/reflective report
(b) Peer assessment
The Vertical Project
The Science Shop Vertical Projects 2009
 Carry out an audit with local businesses in Coleraine,
determine how best to collect information needed by the
Town Centre Management.
 Explore the students perceived role of the Students Union
before they attend university, across all Ulster campuses.
 Examine how the credit crunch will affect the general
publics contribution to local and international charities.
The Vertical Project
Principles/Skills
 Students learning from each other; Group dynamics/
leadership skills
 Time Management/problem solving/communication skills
 Real world application
 Collaboration with partners
The Science Shop Opportunities
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Broader applicability of the Vertical Project Model
Suitable for many subject areas
Increases employability/application of knowledge
Transferable key skill development
Student focused learning experience
Group and student evaluation
Certificate of achievement
Competition/Science Shop Award