Service learning~1 is a method of instruction where the students in a course use the course’s content in a service project. The service is included as a portion of the students’ course grades. During the fall semester 2010, service learning was incorporated into the Introduction to Astronomy course at Misericordia University. The class had eight students and the service project centered on hosting astronomy observations for fifth- and sixth-grade students from two nearby elementary schools. The astronomy students operated telescopes, pointed out constellations, and spoke to the audience members about the objects they were observing. Since service learning requires a minimum number of hours the students must log over the course of fulfilling the service project, the students planned alternative activities in case the weather did not allow the observations to be held. A key part of service learning is for the students to reflect on the service experience and how it influenced their learning of the course material.
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