Positive impacts of a STEM-centered university service-learning course

Service-learning courses have become increasingly popular at universities over the past decade. Fostering Our Community’s Understanding of Science, known as Project FOCUS, has been a service-learning course at the University of Georgia for the past 13 years. Undergraduate students collaborate with teachers in the community to teach hands-on science lessons to elementary and middle school students. The course has enrolled over 1000 undergraduates, who have taught science to an estimated 25,000 local students. Students enrolled in this course experience increased interest in community involvement and teaching science. This poster is an informative glance at Project FOCUS as recommendations for K-12 administrators and university professors interested in designing a successful STEM outreach program. Fact sheet about course will be provided to those interested in pursuing the creation of a similar course