Mary Yankelovich Fellowship Proposal

Sinead Coleman

Mentors: Dr. Ted Georgian and Dr. David DiMattio

Proposal/Summary

The Clare College’s curriculum is a very important core aspect to the lives of the St. Bonaventure student and the university’s mission. Each course provides a step for the students along their intellectual journey as they explore the larger context for their personal, professional and civil lives. My project is to collaborate the natural sciences requirement and the Franciscan values of discovery, community and respect for dignity which are core to the values of St. Bonaventure University.

Franciscan Perspective

Weaving a thread of the Franciscan values throughout the learning process are the key factors that will help the students see the worldwide context of their education. The goal is gaining a sense of value of the sciences so students may see how this field is important to them in everyday life and in their professional careers. As stewards for creation, the Franciscan order inspired a vision and living tradition that can help us respond to pressing environmental and social issues. By revisiting why the natural world should play an important role as a human, the sciences will not seem as scary or mystifying.

What I Studied

Under advisement of Dr. Dave DiMattio, Dr. Ted Georgian, the Yankelovich Fellowship committee as well as the sustainability experts I am studying curriculum techniques such as Franciscan care for creation programs, differentiated instruction, sustainability topics, social business theories, and service learning methods.

Sustainability is an ever changing process for students where they can learn the foundations behind the facts and figures of why the world has gotten to how it is today, as well as a adventure into new technologies, new issues and concerns as well as new creative ideas for solutions to various environmental and social issues. This course will guide students through the process of inquiry within the natural science disciplines and enable students to understand and apply basic investigatory skills in a problem solving context

Local outreach

During the research and community outreach portion of the Inquiry into the Natural World course, students gain knowledge of local and/or international issues. From this, students learn how to address the pressing issues of our time. By having students come step outside of the classroom and come face to face with the people and the places, the science sinks in. The active research and implementation will give life to the mode of inquiry which have contributed to the developments in the sciences. From this foundation, students will gain awareness of other cultures and confront humanity’s challenges to address ultimate questions regarding  the nature of God, persons, and the world with particular reference to the Catholic and Franciscan traditions.