Service-Learning

Overview:

The following programs are supported by the College of Engineering. They are designed to introduce students to the practical application of their engineering skills with humanitarian engineering concepts in service projects to:

  1. Honduras - students work with the staff and children at Montana de Luz orphanage
  2. Ghana - collaborate with our in-country partners to develop sustainable solutions to community identified challenges.
  3. Tanzania Solar Project - research, design, and implement photovoltaic systems, partnering with a local orphanage.
  4. Tanzania Capstone - students may complete their engineering capstone project while participating in international engineering service-learning.
  5. Guatemala - working with the Mayan community, students will engage in STEM education outreach, household cook-stove design and implementations, and other projects.
  6. Guyana - travel over winter break, collaborate with students at the University of Guyana to engage in service-learning in the local community.

Applicants must submit an application through the Office of International Affairs Education Abroad Application website at educationabroad.osu.edu. For more information about the application process please click here. Learn more about education abroad programs at educationabroad.osu.edu.

Honduras

Students will collaborate with an established in-country partner to bring useful, sustainable technologies to the people of Honduras. The program consists of a semester-long course, during which students will assess needs, and then design, develop, prototype, test and document their projects. During in-country travel, students will implement and evaluate these projects.

Montana de Luz

 

Since 2005, the College of Engineering has been sending participants to Honduras to offer technical assistance to an orphanage in Montaña de Luz. Through this program, students will

  • Gain experience in cultural awareness, problem solving, and international service learning
  • Learn first-hand how life in the developing country of Honduras differs from our own
  • Devise sustainable solutions to problems with the unique aspects presented by local conditions

You can check out these student blogs to learn more about past students’ experiences.

Click on the link below to see a video of Sarah Watzman on her trip to Montaña de Luz.

http://youtu.be/S6uQsf1gZ1Q

Visit the Education Abroad website for Montaña de Luz for more information.


Ghana

The engineering service-learning program in Ghana is designed to introduce and teach students the concepts of humanitarian engineering by utilizing practical, real-world experiences. The entire program spans over autumn semester and travels over winter break. During autumn term, students will collaborate with our in-country partner to collaborate on useful, sustainable technologies in order to develop sustainable solutions to community identified challenges. The students will assess needs, then research, design, develop, prototype, test, and document various projects. During the winter break travel, students will work with the community in Techiman, Ghana to implement and evaluate these projects.

The students will have the opportunity to learn about the history, culture, politics, health issues, socioeconomics and specific needs of Ghana. Students will also have the opportunity to develop their needs assessment, research and development, problem-solving, project management, time management, communications and teaming skills in a real-world international service-learning environment. During the program, students will be exposed to, and will work in a multidisciplinary environment and will gain hands-on experience as they prototype, implement and test their technologies. Project/technology sustainability and local ownership and partnering will be emphasized. To participate in the program, students will enroll in four credit-hours of ENGR 5797.17 for autumn term.

Examples of past projects include:

  • Biogas digester as alternative cooking gas source
  • Household and community wide water filtration systems
  • Several renewable solar energy systems for off-grid power


Visit the Education Abroad website for more information on this program.

Further Information

The Office of International Affairs has more in-depth information about these programs.  Please visit the Education Abroad website for more information about these and other programs, and the application process.

Contact Information

For more information, please contact Leslie Roberts, Engineering Abroad Manager.


Leslie Roberts
Engineering Abroad Manager
Office of International Affairs
140 Enarson Classroom Building
roberts.1795@osu.edu