Independent study project ideas for January and Summer

The independent study period offers an opportunity for students to explore ideas in depth. In the sciences, students will often undertake laboratory or field projects during this time. If you are interested in such projects: 1) you need to talk to a sponsor early, 2) you need to have in mind what you want to accomplish (skills literacy? research literacy? critical literacy?), 3) you should have ideas about what form of assessment you might have for the project (it is not a good idea to set closure as an only goal...often, ISPs lead to interesting questions that can be further explored in classes, tutorials, or internships), 4) have an understanding of what can be accomplished in a month, and 5) make sure that there is mutual understanding about the goals and outcomes of the project.

During January, I have worked with students in the following areas and would invite students to continue along these lines:

Genetics of sea urchins

hermit crab behavior and ecology

electrophoresis techniques lab/approaches to populations

population modelling of arthropods

octopus predation

mangrove tree crabs/mangrove ecology

women and science

impact of technology on lives of women

genetics and Native Americans

science of science fiction

soil or marine microbiology

Summer Projects

octopus predation

field methods in coral habitats

coral cloning and genetics

mole crab predation

mangrove crab population biology

GIS and field methods

off campus internships-  There are several institutions that have summer programs in lab and field work.  It is important to plan early so that your choices are not limited.  You can check with the career center on campus or with faculty members about specific programs.  For instance, National Institutes of Health and the CDC generally have several internships over the summer.  We have had students apply to programs at Harbor Branch, Bermuda Biological Station, SeaSemester etc. to gain field and lab experiences in an intensive setting.  Some have even resulted in projects conducted at New College or in senior thesis projects.

Service learning projects--can be started during ISP

Students who engage in service learning can gain real world experience in applying ideas from classes, obtain work experience, and contribute back to their communities. Students who have been successful at service learning have a clearly outlined set of goals and outcomes from the project that are worked out in advance. I have had students who have successfully volunteered at the following local organizations:

Peace and justice center-issues of environmental racism/justice*****excellent resources

Resource Management Group-local alum who works on recycling and solid waste projects; potential for projects in sustainability

Jungle Gardens-caring for animals; using time to observe a specific group of animals

American Red Cross-disaster management and emergency care

March of Dimes-Bradenton-speaking at local high schools and other public forums on causes and consequences of birth defects-may also have to do some filing and clerical work as volunteer

Gulf Coast World of Science (now GWiz)- science education through a museum setting

Pelican Man-rehabilitation of injured birds---some problems but if structure and goals maintained can be good experience

SNAP-students worked on urban agriculture--not much success; program too disorganized

AIDS Action Network-outreach activities--variable

If you are interested in seeing more of what can be done in terms of a "contract for service learning" and what other schools offer as models classes and activities, you can view the following set of web page and links:

National Service Learning Clearinghouse www.servicelearning.org