The paper investigates the effects of a project-based community participation course in which students chose research topics relevant to a local community. Specifically, the students undertook the following projects: (1) creating a virtual 3D model of a local government office, (2) creating interactive digitized versions of mountain trails using…

Skills developed through qualitative research and community partnerships can be essential for developing education students' cultural competency and understandings about diverse student populations. Toward this end, we developed a qualitative "service-research" project in a teacher education course focused on child development, whereby…

In this timely book, curriculum expert Gerald A. Lieberman provides an innovative guide to creating and implementing a new type of environmental education that combines standards-based lessons on English language arts, math, history, and science with community investigations and service learning projects. By connecting academic content with local…

Utopolis, an imaginary community, was created by 48 fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students. Given only geographical boundaries, the group created the town complete with its many complex and interrelated problems. (NQ)

Describes high school social studies student projects involving a study of local cemeteries. Projects include charting life expectancies, creating slide shows of community grave sites, and collecting tombstone rubbings. (KC)

A museum program in Montreal encourages elementary and secondary school students to examine their surroundings and neighborhoods. Units focus on stained glass windows, houses, history of Montreal, the neighborhood, and architectural heritage. (KC)

Talking with local merchants helps sixth-graders explore the impact of change in their community. (Editor/SJL)

Describes a database course project which engages students in designing and developing their own data files. Asserts that the discussions which take place as students collect, organize, share their data, and consider ethical issues which arise from the proliferation of information systems, are most important. (RAE)

Service-learning projects help students make connections to their community and help them to think about civic participation. The projects can range from very simple short-term philanthropy to very complex direct involvement by the students across multiple years. Students learn both social problem-solving skills and academic knowledge through…

Provides suggestions for turning the search for local history materials into a coherent package for the classroom. Teachers should choose a project that teaches skills and helps shape student values. A thematic approach (for example, transportation) contributes to selectivity and is useful for producing a sourcebook. (KC)

Advocates the use of research projects in the English curriculum. Describes an urban study project used by the author to develop students' research skills. The article concludes that social studies and other subjects of relevance not traditionally taught in English classes do indeed have value in English instruction. (JB)

As a field learning experience, 14 students at College of the Mainland (Texas) examined the structure and components of community leadership in Texas City, Texas. The students were divided into two groups, under the direction of a humanities staff member. The first group, using the reputational study technique, asked community residents to…

Author describes how his fifth grade students learn economic principles by forming a community'' with its own currency and businesses. (SP)

Part of a series of articles entitled "Environment and the Child.

Describes a local history project in which high school students located valuable historic photographs on the local community and reproduced them on 35mm slides. An historic photo archive consisting of the slides accompanied by documentary materials was created. Procedures for creating and suggestions for using a photo archive are included. (KC)