Academic Service Learning is a teaching and learning methodology that utilizes meaningful community service to help students gain a deeper understanding of course content, acquire new knowledge, and engage in civic activity. (Related teaching methodologies include “Experiential Learning”.)

Service learning allows students of all ages to be involved with their communities by integrating service projects with classroom learning. Service learning can be applied to all subjects & ages. It can involve a single youth, a class of students, an entire school or groups of students from multiple schools.

Service learning helps children & youth to become active, contributing members of their local community through these service projects. Research suggests that service learning improves grades, increases school attendance & develops students' personal and social responsibility.

For projects to be eligible for these grants they must address specific Georgia Performance Standards and provide students with the opportunity to address a community need.

Examples

• Fifth grade students could share what they have learned about Healthy Lifestyles by planning a health fair at their school or other community location. Students could make posters and develop presentations or other multi media sharing what they have learned.
• Science students could plan a “science night” for parents and other students or plan and develop a learning garden.
• Language Arts classes could research and discuss a local issue and develop projects with a local organization to increase awareness in the community.

As long as a project connects classroom learning with service to the community, there's a good chance it can be funded. These grants can fund projects you are already doing, or support a new project.