The challenges and opportunities of incorporating community-based learning into STEM subjects > Final project report

Final project report

Community-based learning projects enable students to develop critical thinking, to understand the wider context of their work, and provide an opportunity for them to move in a professional environment - skills and experiences often prized by future employers. They also enable mutual relationships between universities and communities, adding value to both. The aim of this project has been explore the challenges and opportunities of incorporating community-based placements into the undergraduate curriculum. Student interns scoped research projects in community settings and in partnership with community and third sector organisations, to fit with existing criteria for 3rd and 4th year Civil Engineering undergraduate projects; students undertook community-based projects as part of the undergraduate curriculum; and utilising the learning tool developed by the National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement (NCCPE), community-based projects were assessed within the academic framework.

11 community-based projects were scoped by the student interns with 8 different community partners. Of these, 9 were successful in obtaining academic supervisors. A total of 17 engineering students have taken part in 6 projects with 7 academic supervisors and 4 community partners.

final project report

Project Highlights

Uptake of the community-based learning projects was much higher than anticipated – the original aim was for up to five students to take part. To provide some context, a total of 92 research projects were proposed for the 90 3rd year students, most of who carry out their projects in pairs. As such, the four 3rd year community-based learning projects are only a small proportion of the projects on offer. Feedback from the students has suggested that the students value the opportunity to consider people’s needs and develop transferable skills that help their employability.

'The community-based placements have made me more employable' – student

'I think that’s what I’ve learned the most – the importance of including people into the engineering projects' – student

The project has enabled the building of networks and relationships that would otherwise not have existed. This includes developing working relationships with the community partners and the links to other HEIs involved in community-based learning projects who have taken part in the various dissemination events. Internally, it has enabled the Centre for Public Engagement to work with the University of Bristol Students’ Union on this area of mutual interest.
The University of Bristol is currently looking at ways to improve its offer to students, including adding value to their experience and enhancing employability. This project has been highlighted in several internal events around engaged learning and provides a potential model to be adopted throughout the University, thus advancing progress in this area.

Staff involved

Dr Maggie Leggett
Project lead, University of Bristol

Kate Miller
Project coordinator, University of Bristol

Caroline Drake
University of Bristol

Christine Keenan
Bournemouth University

David Owen
University of the West of England

Lucian Cawthron
University of Bristol

Penny Mitchell
Bournemouth University