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Using Statistics for Service Learning
N. Sharpe, Babson College
J. Legler, St. Olaf College
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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.
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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)
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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
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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)
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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)
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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
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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.
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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.
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Highlighted ProjectsHighlighted Projects
• Boys and Girls Club of Metrowest
• YMCA of West Roxbury
• The Washington Ballet
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Highlighted ProjectsHighlighted Projects
• Top Floor Learning
• Newton Boys and Girls Club
• Citizen Schools
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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
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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
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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.”
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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.
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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
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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