For University of Illinois students, getting a break from the ordinary, lecture-based class is as easy as enrolling in ENG
315: Learning in Community (LINC). The multi-section course offers a chance
to team up with local nonprofits to design, plan, and implement new
community-based projects. And this fall, students can spend the semester working with
Illinois-Indiana
Sea Grant to reduce pharmaceutical and personal care product (PPCP)
pollution in Champaign-Urbana.
The IISG course will introduce students to the threats PPCPs
pose to aquatic habitats and simple steps individuals can take to reduce those
risks. Tours of local water quality labs will also provide a behind-the-scenes
look at ongoing PPCP research. But the majority of the semester will be
dedicated to designing and executing projects that help spread the word about
proper disposal of unwanted medicines.
“This is a unique opportunity for students to apply what
they are learning to help solve problems in sustainable ways,” said Terri
Hallesy, IISG education coordinator. “They will gain real-world experiences
while helping to boost awareness of a critical environmental issue and protect
the health of our aquatic ecosystems.”
Specific projects are still to be determined, and the class will
have a lot of freedom to design outreach efforts that appeal to them. Previous
classes mentored local high school students, wrote an article for a
campus-based environmental magazine, and created outreach materials to be used
at the McKinley Heath Center and at campus events. Other options include
modifying K-12 curricula, designing social media campaigns, and even building a
mobile app.
Students will also be in charge of planning and
orchestrating a single-day medicine takeback event at the end of the semester.
The class will work throughout the semester to design a promotional plan and coordinate
with campus housing and other organizations on campus.
Its community focus and interdisciplinary approach make this
course a perfect fit for a wide range of majors—from marketing to education to
environmental sciences. Students will leave with new skills and experiences that
move them closer to their career goals.
LINC courses are offered through the College of Engineering
and are open to all University of Illinois students. For fall 2014, students
can choose between sections
that address issues like water conservation, after-school safety, and homelessness.
The IISG course will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30-4:50 p.m.
Contact Terri
Hallesy for questions about the IISG course. To learn more about PPCP
pollution and proper disposal, visit www.unwantedmeds.org.
