Youth Map: A Software Based Program to Increase Service-Learning Quality

This project team is developing Youth Map, a web-based software package to improve high school level service-learning curricula. In 2004, 28% of U.S. schools involved 4.7 million students in service learning. Service learning, where students perform community service that is integrated with instruction in science, math, social studies, or government classes, is theorized to provide students with opportunities for applied learning. Youth Map is intended to be used as follows. First, teachers and students define a relevant topic. Then students collect data through research and interviews, use the software to create a "network map" to visually depict and organize data, and analyze and diagnose the topic based on the research. Then, the teachers and students can apply the experiences to learning classroom content. For example, to facilitate learning of concepts central to ecology, a science class could study river pollution by gathering data through research and interviews. A network map would be generated and include data on the bio-system, eco-system, and social systems. The map would visually depict how point-source pollution leads to pollutants and becomes concentrated in fish. To track the problem geographically, the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) feature of Youth Map would map the point-source of the pollution, show concentrations of micro-organisms and fish, and display popular fishing sites. Classroom readings and discussions would embed the exercise within ecological content, and would focus on developing solutions that are scientifically sound and socially attainable.