Service Learning Projects at Valencia

Some projects that have been incorporated into existing courses include:

Colin Archibald (Web Design):  Students designed and developed a website for the non-profit agency Greyhound Pets of America.

Linda Anthon (Speech):  Students created videos using proper speech methods to advocate for a non-profit organizations.

Erin O’Brien (English): Students in ENC 1101 volunteered for 5-10 hours at various non-profits, wrote about their experiences in journals, and researched similar organizations through our library databases and by conducting personal interviews. This Service Learning project resulted in a research paper and presentation on various non-profit organizations and the students recommended ways others could get involved in serving them.

Ellen Pastorino (Psychology):  Students have completed service at Second Harvest Food Bank while exploring the effects of poverty on developmental processes.

Nicole Valentino (English):  Students in ENC 1101 work in teams to plan and manage a donation drive which benefits 5 non-profit organizations in Orlando. Through this long-term project, students research information about these organizations and share what they have learned to their peers in a presentation.  

Some projects that have been done outside of class include:

Give Kids the World

Deb Hall (Engineering) took students to work on the lighting in the theater at Give Kids the World. Students worked side by side with engineers to remove wiring, install lighting, and conceptualize future projects.

Students who serve at Give Kids the World have an opportunity to work on a variety of projects throughout the agency, including:

  1.  Dino Putt Audio System Project
  2.  Entrance Lighting Project
  3.  Personalized Paver Project
  4.  Putt Putt Hole Sensors
  5.  Tunnel Rain Curtain Project
Habitat for Humanity

Rachel Allen (Humanities), Ann Farrell (Political Science), Andy Ray (Architecture) took students to South Florida to participate in a Habitat for Humanity project.

Coalition for the Homeless

Rachel Allen (Humanities) takes students to the Coalition each fall and spring to host a family festival for the homeless families.

Domincan Republic 2008

Ann Farrell (Political Science), Michelle Terrell (Internships), Tracy Harrison (Reading), Heith Hennel (Business, IT), Lana Powell (Business), Christie Pickeral (EAP) took a group to the Dominican Republic to do an arts & crafts camp with the children of a remote mountain village.

Dominican Republic 2009

Christie Pickeral (EAP) and Lana Powell (Business) took a group of students who wrote and published a book about the people of the remote mountain village. They also looked for a cottage industry to benefit the commpunity. Jewlelry was created from the local rocks. Students are selling the book and jewelry to raise funds for the education of the children in the village. To Read more about this book, click here.

Domincan Republic 2010

Adrienne Mathews (Political Science) and Christie Pickeral (EAP) took students to the Dominican Republic to host a math/science camp for the children.

Dominican Republic 2011

Kevin Mulholland (Humanities) and Christie Pickeral (EAP) took students to the Dominican Republic to host a science camp for the children. See photos on Flickr click here.

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