Join Us in JAMAICA--January 2014!!

Get ready for fun, sun, and service! We’re excited to share a NEW study abroad program for Moraine Park students. Join us for Moraine Park’s new, international service learning experience in Hagley Gap, Jamaica. The program will take place January 2-12, 2014. Plan to take a break from the Wisconsin winter, and enjoy the beautiful Blue Mountains of Jamaica!
    

During the affordable trip, students will live with host families in Hagley Gap, Jamaica, while completing service learning projects with the Blue Mountain Project. Depending on students’ interest, projects might include volunteering in health clinics, providing tutoring to primary school students, working with the local farmers’ cooperative, and/or working in sustainable construction.  Students can also enjoy the beach or even hike the Blue Mountains!

Set aside the dates: January 2-12, 2014. More information will be shared this fall! In the meantime, learn more about other students’ experiences through this video from Ripon College on service learning in Hagley Gap:

Celebrating Service-Learning Successes

Service-Learning at Moraine Park Technical College is preparing for end-of-year celebrations and kudos.

April 25 was a big day for the service-learning program. At 9 a.m., service-learning students from a variety of programs (construction, corrections, HVAC, child care, etc.) united to assist the Solutions Center with the renovation of a Solutions Center house designed to provide temporary assistance to a family. The students provided radon assessments, did painting, helped with flooring, assisted with kitchen renovations, and prepared the home for the family's arrival. The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place Thursday, April 25.

Students arranged an additional service-learning project for Thursday, April 26, by presenting to the campus community via a lunch n learn informatoin about food sustainability. Two special speakers were invited: Representatives from Nourish in Sheboygan spoke on how they take healthy foods into the schools; Representatives from Produce with a Purpose, a local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm, spoke on teaching people in Africa on how to farm for sustainability as well as details related to his local farm.

To cap the service-learning opportunities, the college is hosting a celebration breakfast to showcase several students' service-learning projects Thursday, May 2, from7:30-9 a.m. in the Cyber Cafe (A-109) at the Fond du Lac campus. The college appreciates what the students do to make a positive impact in our communities. This is a small way to express our appreciation and showcase their efforts.

Upcoming Events

Thanks to Danielle Domenosky for posting blogs while the large group toured London and Paris. The pic of the group in front of the Arc de Triomphe at the Place de l'Étoile at the top of the Champs- Élysées made me yearn for those beautiful city streets and sidewalk cafes along the route. What a view from there -- of the Eiffel tower, the city, the river. So gorgeous.

For the 2012-2013 year, our international travels have concluded. We are already preparing for 2013-2014. The first ever international service trip to Jamaica is being planned by Amy Patterson for spring break 2014, and Tom Endejan is planning a culinary-specific excursion to Morocco over spring break. Academic year 2013-2014 is expected to be an exciting year for international travel with Moraine Park Technical College. These two ventures -- both Jamaica and Morocco -- are new excursions for the college and our students. Both faculty members, however, were able to scope and plan their trips by visiting these locales in early 2013.

The two pics below are of Tom (he is on the left in the top pic). This first graphic is of him with a Water Man (the one in the fancy attire). The other pic is of Tom making flatbread.

This YouTube video of is a faculty group in Costa Rica, which is what Amy will be doing in Jamaica with a group of students next year. This picture is of the biodigester the faculty group developed for the community:

Kudos to these faculty. Thank you for your efforts in providing these opportunities for our students!

Moraine Park: Local & International Service-Learning

Fond du Lac: Culinary Arts Students in Brenda Schaefer's Sociology course create delicious, healthy meals at an affordable price to share with the Solutions Center Women's Shelter in Fond du Lac. This service-learning project is educating women on how to cook healthy meals on a budget through recipe ideas and dietary information developed by these students.  Healthy eating can be affordable through these innovative cooking ideas.

Check out more opportunities for service learning by going to www.noblehour.com and joining the Moraine Park Technical College Community. Contact us if you have questions!





Costa Rica: In addition to the local impact our students and faculty make, our reach extends internationally. In January 2013, the college was able to provide representation on a Renewable Energy/Sustainability grant at Rancho Mastatal in Costa Rica. This YouTube video provides an overview of the types of renewable projects the group members completed for the community there. Amy Patterson, Beaver Dam Communication faculty, participated in this grant opportunity.