EDSS 541

RR8: LIST ideas and resources you can use for your Service Learning and ITU (Task 11).

Our ITU is on the topic of Hydraulic Fracturing, which is a rather large-scale topic and, by itself, not easily addressed in the form of a direct service project.  So I think we would do best to incorporate an advocacy experience.

1.      The environmental impact of fracking in areas where it occurs is controversial, and it would be a good component of the unit for the students to do research and reach a consensus as to their opinion on the subject.  They could then follow up on that with a letter-writing or editorial campaign in support of their side.  The project would not really be very locally oriented, as there is no hydraulic fracturing going on in California, so they would have to use mostly remote resources like internet research and communication with advocates on both sides of the issue in the various areas where it is occurring.

2.      The subject is related to topics of energy use, energy conservation and carbon footprint.  So another  project that comes to mind is carbon footprint auditing.  Students would research various strategies that could be used to reduce energy usage with a particular focus on their school.  They would be able to connect with local businesses in the industry for help.  The project could include a financial analysis of each strategy.  The project might culminate with a “footprint reduction day” at the school or at any local institution or even just around the neighborhoods.  On that day they might enlist parents or other teachers or students or even professionals to participate and go through and implement the changes that they had previously identified