50+ Events for 50 years
SLCE: Service Learning & Community Engagement Department
For the 2016-2017 academic year
1,592 Pierce College students and faculty
have participated in over 88 volunteer opportunities,
contributing over 3,287 hours of service to the local community.
From Parking Lots to Paradise
Saturday, Oct 1 & Oct. 22. 2016
8 volunteers
Removed 5,000 sq. ft. of pavement and then planted 1,600 plants alongside other community volunteers.
Lilly Pads for Mary Bridge Hospital
October 13, 2016
6 volunteers
Ruth, Amy, Kate, Jessica, Linda, and Madelyn painted lily pads for a project for Mary Bridge Hospital.
Farmer for a Day: Mother Earth Farms
November 4, 2016
4 volunteers
Weeded and cleaned farm grounds that supply food to local food banks.
Green Puyallup: Bradley Lake Restoration
43 volunteers
Removed Himalayan & evergreen blackberry, which are two highly invasive species to make room for native plants.
Repack with Emergency Food Network
23 volunteers
Processed 5,700 pounds of beans for distribution to food banks.
ENGL&101 - English Composition I: Lisa Reyes
October 20, 2016
14 volunteers
An American Honors, English 101 made over 80 sandwiches for the homeless.
BIOL&260 - Microbiology: Elysia Mbuja
Students in Microbiology at FS learned the science behind hand washing and the reason hand washing is the number one disease prevention strategy recommended by the CDC. They were given the task to teach three or more people the importance of hand washing, how to properly wash their hands, why each step is important. Following this task, the students reflected in their learning and their impact to the community.
One student taught an entire class of first graders. She reflected on how this may improve their health and their attendance at school giving them an advantage over kids with absences. Another student gave her talk to her team of servers at the restaurant in which she works. They mentioned how it was nice to know the reasons behind the steps.
Overall the Microbiology students felt like what they were learning was relevant and had real-life application. Instead of merely learning about microbial control in the classroom, the students were able to use their knowledge in a meaningful and memorable manner.
This also gave students a glimpse into their future Allied Health career which many have declared.
MATH&146 - Introduction to Statistics: Pete Kaslik
Garry Oak Woodland Restoration: Fall Quarter
Oct. 19, Nov. 2,4,9,11,16,23,30
61 volunteers
Pulled scotch broom to make room for native plants.Applesauce Making: MLK Day of Service
15 volunteers
Prepared shelf stable applesauce for distribution to local food banks.
Map-A-Thon with American Red Cross
Friday, January 20, 2017
9 volunteers
Helped mapped areas of the world that are missing from traditional maps.
L'Arche Tacoma Hope Farm
27 volunteers
Weeded, cleaned farm grounds and sorted seed packets for planting in the spring.
American Red Cross Smoke Alarm Installation
Saturday, February 25, 2017
6 volunteers
Delivered fire safety information and installed smoke alarms in Lakewood neighborhood.
Mother Earth Farms
13 volunteers
Helped with planting, weeding, irrigation and harvesting for the afternoon.
FISH Food Bank in Lakewood
Friday, March 10, 2017
15 volunteers
Students greeted and check in clients. They accompanied them through the food bank as they shopped.
SOC& 201 - Social Problems: Daniel Suh
Students sorted and packed food at the Graham/South Hill Food Bank.
Club: Criminal Justice
Delivered 800 items, and 60 hygiene bags to residents of Retsil Veterans Home.
DRMA 261 - Acting Stage and Digital Film II: Patrick Daugherty
MNGT 283 - Principles of Management: Dr. Paul Gerhardt
Four student groups comprised of six to nine students applied management principles in a quarter long project to create an non-profit that gives back to stakeholders in need.
MATH&107 - Math in Society: Cody Fouts
Each student completed at least 1 hour of volunteer service. Researched to understand the connection between math and the type of service that they completed. Did a reflection to contemplate the impact of the service on the community and the role that Mathematics plays as a tool to complete the service. Composed of a math word problem within the context of the service they completed.
Garry Oak Woodland Restoration: Winter Quarter
January 18, 20, 23, 25, 27, 30, February 3, 13, 22, 24, 27, March 1, 3, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15,17.
Bradley Lake Park: Winter Quarter
February 4, 25, March 4, 18
85 volunteers
Removed Himalayan & evergreen blackberry, which are two highly invasive species to make room for native plants.
Park Appreciation Day
14 volunteers
Spent the morning at Fort Steilacoom Park removing invasive plant species and cleaning up the playground.
Habitat for Humanity
21 volunteers
Day of building and painting at a site in Golden Given.
FISH Food Bank Graham South Hill
10 volunteers
Volunteers sorted food products, repackaged bulk foods, and restocked shelves.
Emergency Food Network Re-pack Project
12 volunteers
The Raiders Serve team that will travel to Nicaragua spent time at the warehouse sorting fresh produce to go to local food banks.
Garry Oak Woodland Restoration: Spring Quarter
38 volunteers
April 17, 26, 28, May 3, 5, 10,12, 19, 22, 24, 26
Classroom: Jennifer Scott
Site: Pierce County Skills Center
Number of students who participated: 9
Summary the project:
Because my class takes place at night at a remote location, I decided to do a project in class that the students could share with their family, friends, and community. In the environmental issues unit, we studied recycling. The students made a set of 4 posters about recycling, and wrote answers to the questions, "what is recycling," and "why should I recycle." Using the students own words and works of art, we made an informational video about recycling.
Final video here: https://youtu.be/IisnyClddEg
ENGL 98/99, 101: Curt Warmington
Students in my English 98/99 classes do a service learning activity each quarter. Spring Quarter I organized 3 events, serving a meal to FISH Food Bank clients at the United Methodist Church in Lakewood, and two events at the UMC’s community garden, that donates food to the food bank.
English 98 students write reflective papers about the activity, and English 99 students write research advocacy papers based on their experiences, and English 101 students also participated in the events, and they are writing research proposals based on their experiences.
Transitional Education: Stephanie Larkins
Firgrove - off campus site
Number of students who participated: 9
Summary the project: We partnered with Pierce College and collected clothing for the clothing drive that student life started. My students were excited about doing something small that could potentially help other students. Some of my students even asked family and neighbors to donate as well.
Transitional Education: Mary Selstead
Site Location/Time: Tillicum American Lake Gardens
Number of students who participated: 10
Summary the project:
For our service learning project this year, the students of the Tillicum area levels 1 – 4 ESL class served an international meal for our local homeless population and staff members at the Tillicum American Lake Gardens Community Center.
The meal included cuisine from China, Vietnam, Korea, Thailand, Mexico, and El Salvador. Contributors created information display cards listing their country of origin, the name of their dish, and a list of ingredients. This helped identify any allergens and helped the students as speaking prompts when they interacted with the guests.
Transitional Education: Sabine Burghagen
All 30 students in my high-level I-DEA class have been working around the topic of environment all quarter. As part of their final grade, they finished with a PowerPoint presentation where they shared with our lower-level I-DEA class how we can be proactive about waste and pollution - recycle, reduce electricity and conserve water in our homes - and each highlighted an endangered animal affected by pollution.
Transitional Education: Hallie Fortt & Sonia Jones
Name of Faculty Members: Hallie Fortt and Sonia Jones
Community Partner: Our Savior Lutheran Church (Backpacks for Kids)
Number of students who participated: 11
Summary of the project: For this project, English as a Second Language students at Linc NW packed backpacks with food for needy children in the Franklin Pierce School District. This district has a 100% free and reduced lunch rate. As students packed peanut butter, bread, crackers, juice, oatmeal, fruit snacks, and canned goods, they learned the value of community service. It was a wonderful experience for all.
ENGL&102 - Composition II: Argumentation and Research: Lisa Reyes
BIOL&260 - Microbiology, JBLM: Lana Hanford
The essence of the project is to teach elementary school students (second graders) about the importance of hand washing. To do this, small groups of Pierce JBLM students meet with small groups of second graders at Evergreen Elementary and discuss what germs are, where they are (everywhere!), and what they do--good and bad. This leads to a conversation about hand washing, in terms of its importance and how to do it effectively. Finally, elementary students are able to see evidence that microbes are everywhere when they inoculate growth media with classroom samples as well as fingerprints on our first visit, then see what grew on our second visit after the plates have incubated for one week!
MATH 096 - Intermediate Algebra in Context: Rajesh Lal
Classroom: American Honors
In their first quarter in the program, American Honors students complete a Leadership in Action project in groups. The project is meant to address a need in the community (school, local community, etc.). At the end of the quarter students present their group project to the rest of the class. Our students have gone to food banks, homeless shelters, after school programs, and more!
ECON&201 Microeconomics: Professor Blake Sorem
BIOL&160 and BIOL&100 General Biology courses at FS
Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer Quarters
All Biology students donate at least three hours of work to local not-for-profit organizations to learn how humans impact their community.
ECED&105 - Introduction to Early Childhood Education: Angela Merritt
My Early Childhood Education students participated in the Science department’s Pi Day event, where the education students set up tables with hands-on math and science activates for children. As children visited the stations, they got to learn about different math or science topics, while my students had a chance to practice their lessons with real kids! I had about 10 students participate in the event, which took about 45 minutes during class time.
Transitional Education: Angela Flores, Sandi Stevens and Julie Sandeno
After students saw a presentation about one of our student’s volunteer projects at the Nativity House, both classes combined to bring items for the less fortunate. They brought water bottles, toothbrushes, canned goods, and basic need items to help them during their time at the house. The students were also given information if they would be interested in volunteering at the House. One of our student’s prepares and serves food twice a month. Since they brought the items to class, we had one student deliver the items. It was a great experience for our classes to help those in need.
Applesauce Making
47 volunteers
Prepared shelf stable applesauce for distribution through emergency food systems.
Bradley Lake Park Restoration
13 volunteers
Removed Himalayan & evergreen blackberry, which are two highly invasive species to make room for native plants.
Contact Us
Service Learning and Community Engagement Department
Email: randerson@pierce.ctc.edu
Website: https://www.facebook.com/piercecollegeslce/
Phone: 253-964-6435
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/piercecollegeslce/