HEROES Foundation of America, Inc. requires all scholarship recipients to participate in a variety of activities that apply a wide range of skills. It is recommended, but not required, that the service learning project is relevant to a particular academic major. 

 

When students use their skills and knowledge in real-life situations, learning extends beyond the classroom and into the community.

 

 

There are numerous benefits from participating in a service learning program:

 

• There is a positive impact on students’ academic learning.

  • Improving students’ ability to apply what they have learned in “the real world”

 

• Greater interpersonal development, particularly the ability to work well with others, and build leadership and communication skills

  • Developing a sense of more confidence in their ability

 

• Provides opportunities for Connections with professionals and community members

  • Promoting higher learning and career opportunities

  • Increases involvement in community service

  • Provides experience, resources and references on resume, increasing chances of employment, or further studies in academic field.

 

Some Examples of Service Learning Projects:

 

College of Arts and Sciences:

 

• Work on a Habitat for Humanity project constructing housing for families with low incomes

• Organize/assist with voter registration

• Work with a neighborhood association

• Work with a public interest organization

• Work with a political campaign

• Assist with community events and projects such as museum activities, cultural awareness programs, fairs and festivals, Adopt-a-Highway, neighborhood clean-up/beautification days

• Serve as a mentor for a young person through Big Brothers Big Sisters, Scouting, 4-H or other youth organizations

• Help senior citizens with a variety of activities that enhance their quality of life

• Conduct a conservation project at a park, lakeshore or nature center

• Tutor elementary or secondary students in a variety of subjects, work with Literacy Volunteers of America, or serve as a "Reading Partner" to encourage youngsters to develop good reading habits

 

American Indian Studies

Tutor or serve as a mentor to a Native American elementary or secondary student; work with a Native American community development or social services organization; help develop oral histories of Native American culture; make presentations to elementary students about Native American culture.

 

Anthropology

Work with an organization that does anthropological research; volunteer with an anthropological museum; make presentations at local schools on different cultural groups in the U.S. and throughout the world; work with immigrants to preserve their heritage.

 

Art

Design brochures, annual reports, logos and other publications for a non-profit organization; teach art classes in community centers, senior centers, nursing homes or schools; serve as a docent with an art museum; visit local schools to promote appreciation for the arts; volunteer with a local arts council; create a neighborhood mural with area residents.

 

Biology

Perform an environmental study for a local government or community organization; conduct a conservation project in a recreation area or forest reserve; tutor secondary students in biology; serve as a judge for a science fair; present an interactive seminar for an elementary or secondary school class or club; organize a neighborhood beautification project; organize a community garden.

 

Chemistry

Test air, soil or water quality levels for a local government or community organization; tutor high school students in chemistry; organize or serve as a judge for elementary or secondary school science fairs; present an interactive seminar for an elementary or secondary school class or club.

 

Communication + Journalism

Help a non-profit organization create a public awareness campaign; design logos or prepare reports, brochures or newsletters for a non-profit organization or community agency; help a local news organization design a weekly community service program; work with a public access television station on community issue programming; help children produce a program on a local cable channel; write for a newspaper or newsletter that focuses on public issues that concern you; help start a small-town community newspaper; help with a community newspaper produced by school children.

 

Computer Science

Help a non-profit organization or human services agency create and maintain a database; teach computer skills to children, senior citizens or the disabled; conduct a computer needs assessment for a non-profit organization; tutor primary or secondary students in computer science; design an educational game to be used in schools; develop a computer system to track Goodwill or Salvation Army inventories; create electronic forms to collect intake information at social services agencies; develop a strategic plan for information systems management for a nonprofit agency.

 

Dance

Stage performances in nursing homes, schools or hospitals; offer a class in a local community center; teach children cultural dances; assist with a dance therapy program.

 

Economics

Perform an economic study/analysis for a local government or community organization; work with a consumer protection organization; work with a public interest group; tutor high school students in economics; work with Junior Achievement programs.

 

English

Tutor elementary or secondary school students; organize book-readings and discussions in a school, nursing home, church or hospital; prepare reports, brochures or newsletters for a non-profit organization or community agency; get involved with Literacy Volunteers of America; read to or tape-record books people who are visually impaired; help community agencies write grant proposals.

 

Foreign Languages

Serve as an interpreter or translator for those learning English or other languages; teach English as a second language; hold language classes for community groups; assist with cultural awareness programs; translate social services brochures into the native language of recent immigrants.

 

Geography

Conduct community planning studies or provide geographic information systems (GIS) assistance to community groups or governmental agencies; present special units on geography at local schools; conduct an assessment study for a downtown revitalization project; assist with a local comprehensive planning process; work on assessment projects for natural resources agencies.

 

Geology

Present special units on geology at local schools; organize and conduct geologic field excursions for children, senior citizens or disabled persons; volunteer at a natural history museum or local nature center; prepare geology displays for a museum or park; conduct geologic studies for a local government or community group; work with an environmental action group; serve as a judge for a school science fair.

 

History

Help prepare oral histories with senior citizens; serve as a docent at a history museum; create and present innovative history units for elementary and secondary students; conduct historical studies for communities, local organizations or faith communities; assist with local historic preservation activities and projects.

 

Latin American Studies

Work on community development projects in Latin American countries or Hispanic neighborhoods in the U.S.; organize and conduct cultural awareness programs or festivals; organize units on Latin American studies or conduct special projects with elementary students.

 

Mathematics

Serve as a math tutor for elementary and secondary school students or students with special needs; serve as a teacher's aide; work with a school math club or help with after-school programs.

 

Music + Theater Arts

Stage performances in schools and nursing homes; teach acting or music at a community center; perform or help with a non-profit organization, community theatre or musical group; provide music and theatre activities for after-school programs.

 

Philosophy + Religious Studies

Volunteer with organizations that provide conflict resolution and mediation; organize a community service group; participate in Alternative Winter Break activities with the Ecumenical Religious Center; develop a website for a religious congregation; work with a consortium of religious organizations on a social issue.

 

Physics + Astronomy

Tutor high school students taking physics courses; serve as a judge in an elementary or secondary school science fair; lead an after-school astronomy or physics program; help out at a science museum or children's learning center; volunteer at a community planetarium; organize a community star-gazing excursion.

 

Political Science

Volunteer with political campaigns; work with public interest organizations or political watch groups; help the League of Women Voters present community programs; help a human rights organization; serve on a community board or advisory committee; work with a neighborhood organization; help with a voter-registration drive.

 

Psychology

Volunteer at a crisis hotline; work with children in shelters, day-care centers, and schools; work with people who are mentally ill; work with families in transitional housing; volunteer in substance-abuse clinics, hospitals, and prevention centers; help non-profit organizations and social research agencies design statistical models to determine the needs of a special population.

 

Sociology

Volunteer in shelters, hospitals or social service agencies; work with an organization that does social research; volunteer in transitional homes for youth; work at a detention center; make presentations at local schools on different cultural groups in the U.S. and throughout the world; work with immigrants to preserve their heritage.

 

College of Business:

 

Accounting + Finance

Share accounting or finance skills with a non-profit organization, a religious congregation, a day-care center, or a homeless shelter; help a non-profit organization set up an accounting software package; present community workshops on personal accounting and money management; help a non-profit organization set up a budget and assist with developing a financial planning strategy.

 

Business Communication

Help organizations develop training programs for volunteers; help agencies develop ways to supervise, monitor, and support their volunteer staff; help organizations with fund-raising activities; help a community organization develop presentations; work with a Junior Achievement group.

 

 

 

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