Using Statistics for Service Learning N. Sharpe, Babson College J. Legler, St. Olaf College

USCOTS, May 2007USCOTS, May 2007

Using Statistics for Service Learning

N. Sharpe, Babson College

J. Legler, St. Olaf College


AgendaAgenda

• Define service learning

• Share examples from Babson College

and other institutions

• Break-out Discussion Groups

• Report-out from Discussion Groups

• Share examples from St. Olaf College

and other institutions

• Wrap-up

20 min.20 min.

40 min.40 min.

20 min.20 min.


Defining Service-LearningDefining Service-Learning

• Formal Definition

“Service-learning is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities.”

National Commission on Service Learning(www.servicelearning.org)


Broader Perspective?Broader Perspective?

Statistical opportunities for service learning involve:

• Using statistical knowledge, concepts and/or skills

• Receiving no monetary compensation

• Providing services for nonprofit, academic, or government organizations

• Learning about diversity and/or civic responsibility in the community

… Exposing, Enriching, and Experiencing


Babson College PerspectiveBabson College Perspective

• Small UG program (< 2000)• All business students• Require 3 math/stat courses• Second course in stat is required• Statistics concentration is 7 courses• < 10 concentrators per year in Applied Statistics• Optional Management Consulting Field Experience

(MCFE) Projects (~25% of all seniors)


Statistics Service-Learning OpportunitiesStatistics Service-Learning Opportunities

• Foundation Management Experience (FME)

• Joint Projects with other courses *

• Projects within statistics courses

• Management Consulting Field Experience (MCFE)

• Joint Projects with other institutions (J-MCFE)


Foundation Management Experience (FME)Foundation Management Experience (FME)

• Required of all Babson students

• Year-long first-year course taken at the same time as the required Probability and Statistics course

• Requires students to conduct and analyze surveys

• Each class of 60 students plans, develops, and manages a start-up business (30 students per business)

• Each business “adopts” a local nonprofit

• Each student is required to donate 10 hours at the site of the nonprofit (most do far more) each semester

• The businesses donate all profits to the nonprofit

• Over the past 10 years, businesses have raised >$200,000


Sample Projects within Courses Sample Projects within Courses

• Maine Turnpike Authority– Objective: To forecast traffic flow on

the Turnpike using variables such as time of year, the weather and economic factors.

• Cancer Research Foundation– Objective: To predict charitable giving

based on historical donations and economic factors

• Academic Institution– Objective: To evaluate a community-

based learning program with a 10-hour community service requirement at a New England institution.


What is a MCFE?What is a MCFE?

Mission: To offer undergraduate students the opportunity to work with local area organizations as consultants.

• 12-week projects during one semester for 4 credits• Undergraduate teams of 3-5 students• Primarily for nonprofit organizations• Students are chosen based on academic performance,

willingness to work on a team, and individual strengths relative to the project

• At the conclusion of the project, the team presents their analysis, findings and recommendations to the sponsoring organization in a written report and oral presentation.


Highlighted ProjectsHighlighted Projects

• Boys and Girls Club of Metrowest

• YMCA of West Roxbury

• The Washington Ballet


Highlighted ProjectsHighlighted Projects

• Top Floor Learning

• Newton Boys and Girls Club

• Citizen Schools


Joint Management Consulting Field Experience Joint Management Consulting Field Experience (J-MCFE)(J-MCFE)

Mission: To provide students with a collaborative and international team-based consulting experience.

• Team consists of 6 students

• 3 Babson students and 3 students from an international partner institution

• Semester long project

• All students and sponsor organization meet at beginning of semester

• During semester students communicate on-line

• At end of semester, all students again meet with sponsor to present analysis and final recommendations


Recent J-MCFE ProjectsRecent J-MCFE Projects

Partner Institutions:

• FHS University of Applied Sciences,

St. Gallen, Switzerland (2 projects)

• Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden

• Tec de Monterrey University, Mexico

• Universidad Adolfo Ibanez, Chile


Student Feedback from MCFE ProjectsStudent Feedback from MCFE Projects

“MCFE’s are great real-life, hand-on experiences.”

“MCFE’s are a great way to keep yourself grounded in the real world….”

“The MCFE program is not just for future consultants. Your experience working in a live business environment will benefit you no matter what career paths you are considering.”

“Our … MCFE was a great opportunity to apply our Babson education and team skills to help a small company….”

“You learn more through MCFE than most regular courses.”


Service Learning at other InstitutionsService Learning at other Institutions

Bentley College• Bentley Service Learning Center (BSLC) established a technology

partnership with the Waltham Public Schools to facilitate collaborations and tutoring. BSLC students are currently designing, building, and staffing a new computer lab at Waltham’s Fitch Elementary School.

• Math/stat students have worked on models 1) for the MA legislature’s joint committee on public health to analyze the risk and spread of a flu pandemic in Massachusetts and 2) for the city of Waltham to analyze the risks of hazardous materials transportation.


ResourceResource

Mathematics in Service to the Community: Concepts and models for service-learning in the mathematical sciences Charles Hadlock, Editor, MAA, 2007.

This book looks at the wide variety of

ways in which math, statistics, and math education teachers have incorporated service-learning into their courses.

Catalog Code:NTE-66/SFO5ISBN: 0-88385-176-8Paperbound, 2005


Service Learning at other Institutions (cont.)Service Learning at other Institutions (cont.)

Purdue University

• Statistics in the Community

(STATCOM) founded in 2001

• Staffed by graduate students

from the Dept. of Statistics

• Provides statistical consulting services to government and nonprofit organizations free of charge

• Allows students to apply statistical concepts to address real problems


Discussion TopicsDiscussion Topics

• Definition?

• How to provide opportunities at your institution?

• How to increase global opportunities?

• How to share/transport existing models to other institutions?

• Challenges?

(e.g., Staffing? Resources?)

Documents

Using Statistics for Service Learning N. Sharpe, Babson College J. Legler, St. Olaf College