Promoting Student Engagement: Using Community Service-Learning Projects in Undergraduate Psychology

In this article, we present a novel way to integrate psychological theories and research methods by engaging undergraduate psychology students in service-learning projects. Our goal for the course was to bring to life theories and research methods that students often regard as academic rather than practical. We describe the different projects conducted with several community partners over the course of seven years. Students reported high satisfaction with the course as compared to similar courses that do not have a service-learning component. Additionally, students performed better (as measured by final grades) in the course that had a service-learning component. We discuss why service-learning had an impact on students and the benefits it provides for both students and faculty

Predicting Volunteer Motives among University Faculty and Staff: A Functional Approach

Anchor institutions tend to be non-profit organizations that are spatially immobile and are an economic engine for their communities. Because of pressures on institutions of higher education to generate new revenue, it may be more difficult for such institutions to meet the criteria or maintain their status as an anchor institution. In this article, we argue that volunteerism may be one means to strengthen partnerships in the community thereby assisting the university or college in their attempts to meet the criteria or maintain their status as an anchor institution. Volunteerism is an other-oriented prosocial behavior in which one’s self is given freely to benefit an individual, group, or organization. Using a functional perspective, we identify the motivations for becoming involved in volunteer activities among faculty and staff. Results suggested that only values motives (i.e., altruistic and humanitarian concerns for others) predicted volunteering in the community, while both values and enhancement motives (i.e., desire to increase self-esteem) predicted service to the university, campus, and profession. Implications for encouraging volunteer activities among faculty and staff are discussed so that institutions of higher learning can meet the criteria or maintain their status as an anchor institution

Injury and Mortality of Two Mekong River Species to Turbulent Shear Forces

Global hydropower development is one solution proposed to address an increase in energy needs. However, hydropower-related impacts on riverine ecology systems is not well understood. The Mekong River Basin (MRB) is one of the world’s largest waterways and is presently experiencing significant hydropower expansion. It is also one of the most biodiverse rivers; serving as home to many species that are blocked or hindered by the development of dams. One source of injury and mortality for downstream moving fishes is passage through the turbine environment where fishes may be exposed to a number of physical stressors (e.g., shear forces, rapid decompression, blade strike and turbulence). The current study sought to understand the susceptibility of blue gourami (Trichopodus trichopterus) and iridescent shark (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) to shear forces. Fishes were exposed to an underwater jet with velocities up to 21.3 m/s (equating to strain rates of up to 1,185 s-1). Fish were assessed for behavioral effects, injuries, and mortality. Overall, it was determined that both species were susceptible to shear forces and the effects were more pronounced at higher strain rates. Gouramis were more susceptible than sharks. To minimize impacts on these species, shear forces within turbines should not exceed critical limits

Pennsylvania Folklife Vol. 32, No. 4

• Frakturs • Apple Head Dolls are Unique • Tableware and Dutch Folklore • The Pipemaker • Wheat Weaving • Beekeeping: Past and Present • The Pennsylvania Longrifle • Festival Focus • Folk Festival Programs • Quilts • The Country Butcher • Stained Glass • Metal Casting in Sand • Is This Pure Leather? • The Horse and Carriage • Marquetry, Parquetry and Intarsia • Pennsylvania Dutch Cookinghttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/pafolklifemag/1100/thumbnail.jp