Abstract

Finding new and effective ways to train student project managers for high school service-learning projects can be a challenge. A high school in Suwanee, Georgia, is using a game they developed to train students in a fun and interesting way.

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Issue

How do student leaders train student project managers for high school service-learning projects that teaches all the pertinent information in a more interesting way?

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Action

Student leaders developed a fun and interesting way to train new student project managers to effectively organize, manage, and implement service-learning projects.

• Students participate in a life-sized board game that takes them through the service-learning process of Preparation, Action, Reflection, and Celebration.
• During the game, students go from station to station learning the appropriate paperwork and planning necessary to run an effective service-learning project. Students go through the process of actually implementing a mini-project such as creating goody bags that are donated to a local foster children's program.
• A group leader helps each group negotiate each station. The group leaders are students who have been trained and are experienced in managing their own projects. One leader is needed per group, but if there are a number of groups, leaders can begin with a second group when they finish with one group.
• The training game is held where large space is available such as at school media centers, church fellowship halls, or large classrooms.
• The training game takes 30 to 45 minutes for each group of four to six to complete the game, depending on students' level of expertise in planning projects. The game can be used to train up to 40 students at a time, in groups of four to six. Activities need to be planned for groups that are waiting to start and groups that are finished.
• Everyone receives a reward such as candy or other small prizes at the end as part of the celebration. The game can be played for points, in which case additional prizes are given for winners.
• During the celebration, groups learn where their mini-project will be donated, they discuss their learning experience, and enjoy food.
• The training game is usually part of a larger training session,so the celebration may come at the end of the training with certificates for participants.

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Context

Collins Hill High School is the largest high school in Georgia. The Volunteer Center is responsible for getting students involved in service-learning activities or other volunteer activities in the community. There has been a volunteer center at the school for four years. The student leadership team, called the Dream Team, plans and organizes projects which are made available to all students at the school. Projects include planting trees at parks, Red Cross blood drives, and being buddies for CPR training. The Volunteer Center also assists teachers and students in planning service-learning projects in the classroom. For example, students learn CPR in health classes and then volunteer for CPR Saturday, an event hosted with the Red Cross. The students work as buddies with adults learning CPR. Last year, over 100 students volunteered at that event.

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Outcome

There have been several positive outcomes.

• New student project managers trained using the game had a better understanding of both the big picture and the numerous details involved in good project management than students trained without the game.
• Students were more interested in the training conducted this way and as a result were more attentive and retained more information.
• Students training other students has also been very effective in showing other students what they can accomplish.

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Evidence

• Since implementing the game during last year's leadership training, the Volunteer Center has experienced more first-time success with student project managers, and the Volunteer Center has operated more smoothly as a result.
• The Volunteer Center has been invited to train students from other schools in its system, as well as students and teachers from other school systems, who are beginning new Volunteer Center programs.

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Posted On

November 7, 2001

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For More Information

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Related Practices

• Using high school students as tutors in a service-learning project

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Related sites

21st Century Leaders: Youth Action Centers

Learn and Serve America

National Service-Learning Exchange

Topic Areas

• Service-learning
• Civic engagement
• Development
• Training
• School-community partnerships
• Partnerships
• K-12
• Learn and Serve America
• Volunteer
• K-12
• Students
• NSLC
• Program management

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