Lone Star College-Tomball students log more than 14,000 community service hours

Students of Lone Star College–Tomball have contributed more than 14,000 hours of community service to local organizations in less than six months.

These hours of service are part of LSC–Tomball's service learning initiative, a teaching method that combines community service with academic coursework.

“Service learning provides an opportunity to apply knowledge gained in the classroom through application in a real-world context,” said Lee Ann Nutt, LSC-Tomball vice president of instruction, in a press release. “It encourages students to problem solve and to be involved in a creative, hands-on learning process as related to the stated outcomes of a course. All of this together helps ensure long-term retention of the knowledge gained through the classroom and supplemental service experience.”

Students in occupational therapy assistant courses each contributed 640 hours for the service learning program by assisting adults with multiple sclerosis at Camp Can Do.

Biology II students spent their service learning hours working to remove invasive species from a local wetland.

After volunteering, the students in this program engage in reflection assignments such as journals, class discussions and presentations.

“Many college students are already familiar with volunteerism,” said Clark Friesen, professor of speech communication and faculty service learning coordinator, in the press release. “What’s unique about service learning is that the students learn from their experience and become more engaged overall in community affairs.”

For more information, contact Clark Friesen at Clark.W.Friesen@lonestar.edu or 281-401-1807.