Students

Project FOCUS: Service Learning (AESC 4920S/6920S)

Register now for Spring 2010 semester

Download a FOCUS Application Adobe PDF or MS Word

Fostering Our Community's Understanding of Science

Fostering Our Community's Understanding of Science Project FOCUS, now in its eighth year, is a partnership between the University of Georgia and the local Clarke County School District to improve science instruction in elementary schools. Clarke County schools have one of the lowest high school graduation rates in Georgia at 60% and a poverty rate of 29%. Georgia High School graduation test results for science are lower than other tested subject and Clarke County is below the state average. Project FOCUS was developed to better prepare children in the areas of science and critical thinking. Project FOCUS partners university students, majoring in a science-related discipline, with elementary school teachers in eight public schools to help teach science to children in grades K-5. Project FOCUS students teach science lessons in compliance with Georgia Performance Standards two to three times each week during the 15-week semester. They also provide the elementary teachers with science expertise, hands-on lesson plans, and supplemental materials for continued use. During the 2008-09 school year, over 150 students provided approximately 3,600 elementary students with more than 6,000 hours of classroom instruction. Elementary teachers have indicated the quality and depth of instruction—and in some cases the instruction itself—would not have taken place without Project FOCUS. Of equal importance is the impact of Project FOCUS on university students. Research finds that participation has resulted in better understanding of diversity, improved quality of the student’s own learning processes, improved ability to communicate and organize time, and increased appreciation of public schools and teachers. 15-20% of UGA students participating each semester have indicated they intend to change career goals and become educators.

Course Description:

Project FOCUS places college students with a science background in the local elementary schools to improve science awareness among K-5 school children. Students are not required to have teaching experience or expected to be perfect teachers. This is not a teacher training course...its a service learning course where students provide a much-needed service and learn a little about themselves in the process. Students work a minimum of three hours each week in the classroom with a partner teacher. Much of this time is spent teaching science, but can also include helping with other topics that may precede or follow the science lesson. Previous FOCUS students have assisted with social studies, math, and language arts during their visits, but the majority of the time is spent with science. In addition, students will help plan lessons or hands-on activities, will meet with other students in the program for one hour a week, and write a weekly reflective essay.The course responsibilities typically take approximately 8-9 hours per week.

Philosophy and Goals:

The FOCUS program aims to improve the science education of elementary students in the Athens area. Educational research supports the notion that children who are exposed to hands-on, minds-on science are better able to make sense out of the content. FOCUS students are expected to bring their science background into the elementary classroom through well-designed hands-on sciences activities for their students. The FOCUS partner will work closely with the classroom teacher in planning and designing activities that are relevant to the state-mandated science curriculum for that grade.

Specific goals for the program include:

Improving the science experiences and science content knowledge of elementary students in the UGA area through relevant and hands-on science instruction
Increasing awareness among elementary students about career opportunities related to the sciences
Providing experiences to students and teachers that will bring about more positive attitudes about science
Improving the content knowledge and confidence of local elementary teachers to bring about sustained, positive changes in how they approach science
Developing a sense of community involvement for UGA students that will continue after graduation
Promoting science in a positive way to the elementary students and teachers who work with the UGA students
Enhancing the communication and leadership skills of UGA students

Course Credit:

Students involved in FOCUS should first fill out an application form (available below). Once accepted into the program, students should then enroll in to AESC 4920/6920 Project FOCUS: Service Learning for 3 credits under David Berle, dberle@uga.edu.