Service Learning

What is Service-Learning?

Service-learning is an approach to teaching and learning in which students use academic and civic knowledge and skills to address genuine community needs.

Picking up trash on a river bank is service. Studying water samples under a microscope is learning. When science students collect and analyze water samples, document their results, and present findings to a local pollution control agency – that is service-learning.

A national study of Learn and Serve America programs suggests that effective service learning programs improve grades, increase attendance in school, and develop students' personal and social responsibility.

The Massachusetts Afterschool Partnership (MAP) is a proud recipient of a Service-Learning grant offered through The National Youth Leadership Council. As part of our initiative to expand Service-Learning opportunities, MAP led a professional development training, preparing participants to implement a high-quality service-learning project.

Of the 15 programs who chose to participate, these 11 programs were selected to receive a $500 stipend for their work:

  • Andover Kid Care

  • Andover Recreation

  • City of New Bedford Parks & Recreation

  • CS4Youth Inc.

  • Girls Inc. of Boston and Lynn

  • Hoops & Homework

  • Quincy Afterschool Childcare

  • Robbins Children’s Program

CS4Youth Inc.

LearnCS is an afterschool online course where students participated in AI projects but did not share their ideas. SWE is Society of Women Engineers- Pembroke High School chapter who collectively decided to submit their idea Brushing Buddies. This is an mobile app made for young children including neurodiverse kids to encourage healthy brushing habits, a problem identified as most important by the group. CSHS is Computer Science Honor Society who submitted 3 apps in pairs: One on Music streaming services choosing alternate Genres, One on Learning about planets, and one on Sports Stats.

We used the 500.00 funding for an end-of-year pizza event with all the clubs, and awards, certificates, candy and presentations of projects from all year. This happened at Pembroke High School's Cafeteria on April 29. We also inducted new leadership.

  • The Elizabeth Peabody House

  • The Guild of St. Agnes

  • Whitman Hanson Regional School District

Project Highlights!

Tewksbury Public Schools

Students looked at ways to help educate other community members about the resources available in the town of Tewksbury. They helped create a map of the town with locations of places they felt it was important for new people moving into the town to be aware of. Along the way, they used different resources to model what a community would look like.

Whitman Hanson Regional School District

High School Culinary students created a community cookbook featuring traditional and culturally significant recipes. Partnering with local chefs and family members, they collected and adapted easy, healthy recipes for Middle School culinary clubs. Students hosted tasting events and hands-on workshops to teach younger students and share cultural stories behind the dishes.

Project funds were used to purchase ingredients, print cookbooks, supply kitchen tools for workshops, and provide small stipends for teachers. The cookbook fostered cross-grade mentorship, cultural pride, and community connection through food and shared learning.

A growing body of research recognizes service-learning as an effective strategy to help students by:

  • Promoting learning through active participation in service experiences

  • Providing structured time for students to reflect by thinking, discussing and writing about their service experience

  • Providing an opportunity for students to use skills and knowledge in real-life situations

  • Extending learning beyond the classroom and into the community

  • Fostering a sense of caring for others

Service-Learning also strengthens both education and local communities by:

  • Building effective collaborative partnerships between schools or colleges and other institutions and organizations

  • Engaging parents and other adults in supporting student learning

  • Meeting community needs through the service projects conducted

  • Providing engaging and productive opportunities for young people to work with others in their community

*The above information was provided by the Corporation for National and Community Service, Learn & Serve America

Project Ideas

Looking for inspiration? Explore an extensive list of service learning project ideas complied by Harkins Consulting, LLC. Browse by issue or content areas, and discover great ideas for all levels K-12.