Sonia Kovalevsky Days (SK Days) are nationally-held outreach events that are commonly organized by local chapters of the Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM) to encourage young women to continue their study of mathematics. The AWM Student Chapter at Worcester Polytechnic Institute hosted virtual renditions of SK Day for middle school girls…

Many peer mentorship programs in academia train senior students to guide groups of incoming students through the rigors of postsecondary education. The mentorship program's structure can influence how mentors develop from this experience. Here, we compare how two different peer mentorship programs have shaped mentors' experiences and development.…

This survey of institutions of higher education around the world brings together information about their interest and involvement in programs that combine academic study and volunteer service. Following an international conference in May 1998, called to consider the growing service-learning movement, questionnaires were sent to higher education…

The process of protein synthesis, translation, is difficult for many students to understand. There are two reasons for this: (1) It is difficult to visualize the process, since the components involved in the process are not observable, and (2) There are many details, often dependent on each other and difficult to grasp independently, that are…

This study compares community service programs in nine Catholic high schools in Louisville (Kentucky). Information was gathered from a survey and follow-up interviews, and findings are organized into a chart essay. The following findings are included: (1) the schools represent a variety of governance and religious affiliation patterns; (2) all but…

This manual describes a variety of approaches a college or university can take to support student volunteers. It summarizes 6 models of volunteer programs currently in use on campuses and describes in detail a seventh "comprehensive" model that allows the school to assist and give general direction but permits students freedom to run their own…

Student volunteerism can include direct service, research and community education, and advocacy service. Alert observation and informed questioning are at the heart of learning from nonclassroom experience. (Author/MLF)

The 14 readings in this book focus on service learning in higher education, its theoretical framework, the advantages of various techniques, and practical means for implementation. Service learning is seen to offer students the chance to combine academic knowledge/skills with community experience. Chapter titles and authors are: (1)…

Drawing from his experiences at the University of the South Pacific, the author considers ways that the university can teach not only cognitive knowledge, but also altruism and active community concern to its students. (SJL)

This issue brief discusses the benefits of mentoring for youth with disabilities and strategies for encouraging mentoring. It begins by discussing research that has demonstrated the effectiveness of mentoring and different types of mentoring, including a new model of electronic mentoring that is increasing in popularity. A chart shows how…

This article presents a summary of the results from phase 1 of a two-phase research project. Drawing on the principles of problem-based learning (PBL), the aims of phase 1 were to design, develop and evaluate a set of flexible online teaching resources for use within a virtual learning environment. Participants in the project (n = 10) were…

The cross age teaching program at Bemis Elementary in Troy, Michigan, is described, including procedures and forms by which teachers request tutors, the tutor volunteering process, parent information letters, and tutor training content, particularly self-concept enhancement techniques. For a companion article, see p30-34 of this issue. (SJL)

A great deal has been said and written about the importance of giving students the opportunity to provide service to others. This book is designed to provide educators with a "crash course" in how to start or repair such a program in their schools or districts. Following the introduction, chapter 1 defines service learning and explores its…

The service learning instructional methodology integrates community service with academic instruction and seeks to address local needs and develop students academic skills, sense of civic responsibility, and commitment to the community. The following elements are important for effectively organizing a community college service learning program:…

Mental health professionals were interviewed to determine their priorities concerning curriculum logistics and the kind of student-volunteer-paraprofessionals they considered ideal. Results can be used by college instructors who wish to place students in clinical practicum programs. (CS)