Build connections between K-12 schools and higher-ed through Service Learning
Exploring innovative ways to intertwine service learning and education, UWM School of Architecture, UWM Center for Student Experience and Talent (‘SET’) and Learn Deep present an exciting initiative for K12 students for the upcoming spring ’24 semester.
The upper level SARUP course, Arch 302 – Architecture and Human Behavior, is looking for K12 partner schools who can offer service learning opportunities as field experiences for Arch 302 students. This collaborative effort extends beyond the college classroom in its aim to bridge the gap between higher education and primary education.
Service Learning takes center stage
Arch 302 students will engage in 20 hours of direct service in a classroom between mid-February and mid-May– roughly 1-2 hours per week over the period. Armed with expertise in the design process and proficiency in CAD software and prototyping tools, these students are poised to contribute meaningfully to enhance your students’ engagement in project-based work.
Arch 302 students will be assigned to schools in teams of 3. Teachers hosting Arch 302 students will work with them to develop a schedule for classroom visits that works best for everyone.
We’ve seen the Arch 302 students be most effective in a mentoring or project management role to support individual students or small teams engaged in project based work.
In that type of role, Arch 302 students will be prepared with a short script for check-in meetings to help keep teams on track and accountable for their work on a given project. The main requirements are that the Arch 302 students are in a role that is beneficial to the teacher and school they are paired with, and that they can participate in that role throughout the semester.
Partnering K12 teachers are encouraged to be open to student queries about the school’s educational environment, fostering a collaborative exchange of insights.
Human Centered Design
During the second part of the spring semester, Arch 302 students will begin to explore questions related to human centered design and reflect on the learning environment of the school they are working in. The goal is that Arch 302 students will develop an understanding of the school environment as they participate in service and can then use their perspective as they engage with course content related to human centered design.
In small team, Arch 302 students will craft culminating projects, which reflect the analysis of their experiences in relation to the educational setting. These projects, intended for sharing with the school and community, mark the tangible impact of this unique collaboration. Their projects will be shared with the school and community during an exhibition at the SARUP Commons.
As a teacher partner in K12, we ask that you are open to responding to student questions regarding the school’s educational environment.
What should you expect
Based on our experience with the pilot project last spring ’23, we’ve enhanced this year’s Program to be an even better experience:
- Partner teachers submit their course / project description.
- Pre-course ‘get to know you’ opportunity at SARUP for K12 teachers and UWM SARUP students.
- Arch 302 students select their preferred school / teacher.
- Students contact teacher to confirm and discuss schedule, etc.
- Clear and appropriate UWM student assignments that are supportive of this collaboration.
- Optional opportunity to take your students on a SARUP tour.
- Teachers and students may attend the UWM student public presentation of proposals.
- Participating teachers provide feedback and input into the program’s future.
- Teachers engage with peers and SARUP faculty throughout the semester in the inspirEd Community
We aim for this project to be the beginning of a longer-term relationship between school partners and the Architecture 302 course and UWM SARUP in general.
In coming years, the UWM students and school partners could work more intentionally to incorporate concepts of human centered design into school-based projects or other activities that would benefit your students.
Register to participate
To be a host partner school, you will need to register using our interest form using the button below.
Filling out the interest form DOES NOT guarantee that you will be a host partner location. Selection and participation depends on UWM student interest, their schedule, ability to travel to your school weekly, etc..
Please register today to make sure your students can benefit from this unique partnership!
Note: K12 teachers who are currently implementing the Learn Deep architecture project ‘design of learning spaces’ with their students are automatically enrolled as a host partner and do not need to register separately.
