Mentors
- Dr. Theodore J. Georgian Jr., Professor of biology
- Dr. David DiMattio, Dean, Clare College; Associate Professor of physics
Proposal/Summary
The Clare College 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 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 is the key factor that will help 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 to humans, the sciences will not seem as scary or mystifying.
What I Studied
Under the advisement of Dr. Dave DiMattio, Dr. Ted Georgian, the Yankelovich Fellowship committee as well as 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 venture into new technologies, new issues and concerns and 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 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 modes of inquiry that have contributed to 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.