Contact: Karen Casey, Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement, (517) 353-4400, caseyk@msu.edu; or Kristin K. Anderson, University Relations, (517) 353-8819, ander284@msu.edu

11/14/2005

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State University will host the 5th Annual International K-H Conference on Service-Learning Research on Nov. 13-15 at the Kellogg Center.

“The conference speaks to MSU’s Boldness by Design initiatives because we are enhancing the active and experiential learning opportunities for students,” said Karen Casey, director of the Center for Service-Learning and Civic Engagement at MSU. “Students can connect their classroom learning with service in the community in a purposeful, intended and mutually beneficial manner.”

The Service-Learning Research conference, held each year at a different location in the United States, presents the most recent breakthroughs in service-learning research at all educational levels – K-12 education, teacher education and higher education.

New research, methodological and theoretical advances, and agendas for studying various aspects of service-learning are presented. The conference provides opportunities to explore a variety of perspectives, including service-learning research from various countries around the world.

The theme of the 2005 conference is “Exploring the Premise: Advancing Knowledge & Transforming Lives.” The conference’s goal continues to be convening service-learning researchers from throughout the world to share research findings, build networks and partnerships, and identify new directions for service-learning research.

Among the keynote speakers are Rick Battisoni, a political science professor at Providence College in Rhode Island, and Roger Weissberg, a co-director of The Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning.

For more information about the conference, visit http://outreach.msu.edu/slconference/