Transcript Document 7286257

Using Statistics for Service
Learning
N. Sharpe, Babson College
J. Legler, St. Olaf College
USCOTS, May 2007
Agenda
• Define service learning
• Share examples from Babson College
20 min.
and other institutions
• Break-out Discussion Groups
• Report-out from Discussion Groups
40 min.
• Share examples from St. Olaf College
and other institutions
• Wrap-up
USCOTS, May 2007
20 min.
Defining Service-Learning
• Formal Definition
“Service-learning is a teaching and learning strategy
that integrates meaningful community service with
instruction and reflection to enrich the learning
experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen
communities.”
National Commission on Service Learning
(www.servicelearning.org)
USCOTS, May 2007
Broader Perspective?
Statistical opportunities for service learning involve:
• Using statistical knowledge, concepts and/or skills
• Receiving no monetary compensation
• Providing services for nonprofit, academic, or
government organizations
• Learning about diversity and/or civic responsibility in
the community
… Exposing, Enriching, and Experiencing
USCOTS, May 2007
Babson College Perspective
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Small UG program (< 2000)
All business students
Require 3 math/stat courses
Second course in stat is required
Statistics concentration is 7 courses
< 10 concentrators per year in Applied Statistics
Optional Management Consulting Field Experience
(MCFE) Projects (~25% of all seniors)
USCOTS, May 2007
Statistics Service-Learning Opportunities
• Foundation Management Experience (FME)
• Joint Projects with other courses *
• Projects within statistics courses
• Management Consulting Field Experience (MCFE)
• Joint Projects with other institutions (J-MCFE)
USCOTS, May 2007
Foundation Management Experience (FME)
• Required of all Babson students
• Year-long first-year course taken at the same time as the
•
•
•
•
•
•
required Probability and Statistics course
Requires students to conduct and analyze surveys
Each class of 60 students plans, develops, and manages a
start-up business (30 students per business)
Each business “adopts” a local nonprofit
Each student is required to donate 10 hours at the site of
the nonprofit (most do far more) each semester
The businesses donate all profits to the nonprofit
Over the past 10 years, businesses have raised >$200,000
USCOTS, May 2007
Sample Projects within Courses
• Maine Turnpike Authority
– Objective: To forecast traffic flow on the
Turnpike using variables such as time of
year, the weather and economic factors.
• Cancer Research Foundation
– Objective: To predict charitable giving
based on historical donations and
economic factors
• Academic Institution
– Objective: To evaluate a communitybased learning program with a 10-hour
community service requirement at a
New England institution.
USCOTS, May 2007
What is a MCFE?
Mission: To offer undergraduate students the opportunity to
work with local area organizations as consultants.
•
•
•
•
•
12-week projects during one semester for 4 credits
Undergraduate teams of 3-5 students
Primarily for nonprofit organizations
Students are chosen based on academic performance,
willingness to work on a team, and individual strengths relative
to the project
At the conclusion of the project, the team presents their
analysis, findings and recommendations to the sponsoring
organization in a written report and oral presentation.
USCOTS, May 2007
Highlighted Projects
• Boys and Girls Club of Metrowest
• YMCA of West Roxbury
• The Washington Ballet
USCOTS, May 2007
Highlighted Projects
• Top Floor Learning
• Newton Boys and Girls Club
• Citizen Schools
USCOTS, May 2007
Joint Management Consulting Field Experience
(J-MCFE)
Mission: To provide students with a collaborative and
international team-based consulting experience.
• Team consists of 6 students
• 3 Babson students and 3 students from an international partner
•
•
•
•
institution
Semester long project
All students and sponsor organization meet at beginning of semester
During semester students communicate on-line
At end of semester, all students again meet with sponsor to present
analysis and final recommendations
USCOTS, May 2007
Recent J-MCFE Projects
Partner Institutions:
• FHS University of Applied Sciences,
St. Gallen, Switzerland (2 projects)
• Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden
• Tec de Monterrey University, Mexico
• Universidad Adolfo Ibanez, Chile
USCOTS, May 2007
Student Feedback from MCFE Projects
“MCFE’s are great real-life, hand-on experiences.”
“MCFE’s are a great way to keep yourself grounded in the real
world….”
“The MCFE program is not just for future consultants. Your
experience working in a live business environment will benefit
you no matter what career paths you are considering.”
“Our … MCFE was a great opportunity to apply our Babson
education and team skills to help a small company….”
“You learn more through MCFE than most regular courses.”
USCOTS, May 2007
Service Learning at other Institutions
Bentley College
• Bentley Service Learning Center (BSLC) established a technology
partnership with the Waltham Public Schools to facilitate
collaborations and tutoring. BSLC students are currently
designing, building, and staffing a new computer lab at Waltham’s
Fitch Elementary School.
• Math/stat students have worked on models 1) for the MA
legislature’s joint committee on public health to analyze the risk
and spread of a flu pandemic in Massachusetts and 2) for the city of
Waltham to analyze the risks of hazardous materials
transportation.
USCOTS, May 2007
Resource
Mathematics in Service to the
Community: Concepts and models
for service-learning in the
mathematical sciences Charles
Hadlock, Editor, MAA, 2007.
This book looks at the wide variety of
ways in which math, statistics, and
math education teachers have
incorporated service-learning into
their courses.
Catalog Code:NTE-66/SFO5
ISBN: 0-88385-176-8
Paperbound, 2005
USCOTS, May 2007
Service Learning at other Institutions (cont.)
Purdue University
• Statistics in the Community
•
•
•
(STATCOM) founded in 2001
Staffed by graduate students
from the Dept. of Statistics
Provides statistical consulting services to government
and nonprofit organizations free of charge
Allows students to apply statistical concepts to address
real problems
USCOTS, May 2007
Discussion Topics
•
•
•
•
•
Definition?
How to provide opportunities at your institution?
How to increase global opportunities?
How to share/transport existing models to other
institutions?
Challenges?
(e.g., Staffing? Resources?)
USCOTS, May 2007