Service Learning – Engagement and Sustainability in Study and Teaching
Through the Sandkasten platform, students can plan and implement their own engagement projects – preferably in teams and with practice partners – and have them recognized as part of their studies. Service learning as a form of teaching and learning aims to connect academic study with social or ecological engagement, enabling structured reflection on one's own actions and societal connections through practice projects.
The Team: More than 20 master's students from the PMA module of Faculty 6. The aspiring teachers have independently assigned themselves to different sub-teams, divided the project into partial projects (construction, planting, procurement, project management, etc.), and completed it on time by the end of the semester.
The Project: The redesign of the previously completely overgrown and therefore impassable courtyard of the North Campus Library. In consultation with the building management, the courtyard was initially completely cleared of overgrowth, replanted, and equipped with self-built work and seating areas.
The Impact: This project contributes not only to biodiversity with the planting of more than 20 plant species but also transforms the courtyard of the North Campus Library into a new social learning space where reading and working can be done peacefully. The newly created space strengthens the community and the learning and study quality not only for the project team but for the entire North Campus student body!
The team: Five students from the PMA module of Faculty 6, who also brought additional expertise on insects into the team throughout the project. After receiving feedback from the Sandbox Committee, another student from the Physics department at the TU joined, contributing his knowledge and assisting in the construction and installation of the hotels.
The project: The construction and building of insect hotels on the North Campus. The team extensively researched and sought external expertise to create habitat structures suitable for nesting, distinct from the often ineffective or even harmful standard nest boxes found in hardware stores or similar outlets. The team diligently sourced the appropriate specialized materials, constructed the hotels in the TU's model workshop, and installed them at suitable locations on the North Campus.
The impact: The insect hotels are designed to meet the needs of endangered wild bees found on the North Campus. In addition to enhancing the campus grounds, species conservation was a primary focus for the team. Following the project, the students applied for the Braunschweig Nature Conservation Prize 2023 "Wild Co-Inhabitants."
The Team: Five female students from the PMA module of Faculty 6, who spend the majority of their studies on the North Campus and have recognized the untapped potential of the area.
The Project: The old telephone booth located on the North Campus was transformed into a book exchange several years ago and now, in the summer of 2023, was meticulously and lovingly renovated by the project team. Mold and stickers were removed, the telephone booth was sanded, painted, and decorated. New shelves were installed, and of course, the book collection was renewed and expanded. With garlands, balloons, and homemade muffins, the book exchange was inaugurated and now enriches the campus – its red color visible from afar.
The Impact: The team's main goal was to beautify and enliven the North Campus. With the book exchange and the opportunity to share and exchange books, the project contributes to ecological, economic, and social sustainability. For future Service Learning teams, the book exchange also provides space for creativity, such as organizing a summer reading program, thus further developing the area around the book exchange into a new active and engaging meeting point.
Service Learning - also known as learning through engagement - is an educational approach that integrates academic content with practical experience in community service projects. In addition to the hands-on project work, critical reflection within the accompanying academic course is a central component.
Service Learning projects at TU Braunschweig, in conjunction with the knowledge transfer initiatives, are aligned with one or more of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and are implemented and realized through the engagement platform called Sandkasten. These sustainability projects are supported by coaches and may also receive financial assistance.
Yes, you will receive credit points for Service Learning. For the exact details, it's best to speak directly with the instructors who offer Service Learning in your department. And yes, even though you earn credits, these are still engagement projects through which you contribute to sustainability on campus and in the city, thereby creating social value.
Typically, faculties and/or institutes offer courses in which social, economic, environmental, or cultural sustainability plays a role. In parallel, practical projects are planned and implemented through the Sandkasten platform. The course and projects complement each other, enabling students to engage deeply and critically with scientific content and societal issues. Reflection phases are an integral part of Service Learning, as well as a final presentation. Generally, the courses are part of the pool of key qualifications, but other modes are also possible. Feel free to contact us for more information!
Especially at universities, students desire more practical relevance. By addressing sustainability topics and delving into them through practical projects with reflection, your teaching engagement contributes to the quality of education and student satisfaction. Often, collaborations with practical partners and societal actors provide impulses for your own teaching and research. You connect with cooperation partners within the university and beyond, thus significantly contributing to knowledge transfer and the Third Mission in line with the University Development 2030 initiative of TU Braunschweig.
Participating in a Service Learning project not only contributes to greater sustainability on campus and in the city, but also allows you to gain valuable practical experience, enhance your teamwork skills, and take initial steps in (agile) project management. In addition to the experience of contributing to sustainable societal change through your own actions and making a difference, successful participation in the course earns you credit points.
Absolutely not! Service Learning at TU Braunschweig is aimed at students from all disciplines who want to get involved and contribute to sustainable change on campus and beyond. The staff in Knowledge Transfer are available to advise interested lecturers and students on this topic.
Project ideas can arise from courses, your own studies, or be developed jointly with Knowledge Transfer coaches. You can contribute your own ideas or participate in existing projects on the Sandbox platform. Through the Sandbox platform, you can search for and find team members and supporters who will help realize your idea and make it visible on campus, in the city, and in the community.
As a rule, semester performance includes regular participation in the course, engagement in the project, and presentation at a final event. The exact requirements for successful participation and the number of credit points depend on the individual faculties and study programs. Please inquire at your examination office or study program coordination.
The Knowledge Transfer team assists students in finding and implementing ideas, as well as gaining practical experience in project management and collaboration with relevant communities. We support instructors in designing courses with practical relevance through Service Learning projects. The digital offering of the Sandkasten platform complements the coaching of Service Learning projects with a manual to support the conception and implementation of projects.
If you have any questions, you can contact the Knowledge Transfer team. The contact person is Julia Willich (j.willich(at)tu-braunschweig.de). Additionally, we always welcome new suggestions. You are warmly invited to participate in the development of Service Learning at TU Braunschweig with ideas and feedback.
Julia Willich
Coordination Project 'tu4society' / Coordination Social Innovations (SQM-financed) (Part-time)
