Experiential Learning at SIU

Craft Shop

The Craft Shop boasts a wide array of tools catering to ceramics, crafts, woodworking, painting, sewing, and architecture, making it a versatile venue for experiential learning across disciplines. Marketing courses, for example, could challenge students to formulate innovative promotional strategies for the shop. Interior Design students can apply principles of spatial planning and aesthetics to enhance the layout of the shop.

Consider tapping into the potential of this dynamic space to enhance hands-on learning within the context of your course.

Touch of Nature

This picturesque location provides an ideal setting for a multitude of outdoor activities, serving as a perfect nexus for integrating education with practical, hands-on experiences. For instance, an Environment Science major could use a sustainability project where students implement and assess sustainability initiatives within space. Similarly, Science in Recreation Professions could engage students in hands-on training for outdoor leadership skills, learning navigation, survival techniques, and group management in a natural environment.

Research Park

The SIU Research Park presents an excellent opportunity to enrich the educational experience by incorporating experiential learning into various courses. For instance, biology students could engage in field studies to observe and analyze local flora and fauna, contributing to their understanding of ecological systems and biodiversity. Similarly, environmental science students might conduct ecological assessments or collect environmental data, fostering a practical application of their coursework. Engineering students could take on design projects to enhance the park's infrastructure, while art and design courses could visually document the space through sketches or contribute to public art installations.

Career Development

Various disciplines can integrate the career development center into courses to provide an opportunity for experiential learning. Instructors can collaborate with the career development center at SIU on internship opportunities or facilitating guest speaker sessions or industry panels. The career development center can also support students in career exploration assignments, mock interviews, and informational interviews, fostering connections with professionals and alumni. By seamlessly integrating career-focused initiatives into the curriculum, instructors can create a comprehensive learning experience that aligns academic knowledge with practical career development, preparing students for successful transitions into the workforce.

Carbondale Community

Fostering community engagement provides a bridge between classroom concepts and practical experience. SIU Carbondale offers access to various local, regional, and national organizations for experiential learning opportunities in diverse courses. For instance, engineering majors could work with local municipalities to design sustainable infrastructure or improve accessibility. Similarly, criminal justice majors could develop community policing projects to enhance relationships between law enforcement and the community and address specific safety concerns.