Learning Beyond the Classroom
Mini Grants Program

Learning Beyond the Classroom Grants

Learning Beyond the Classroom (LBC) recognizes that learning can occur anytime, anywhere and not just within the classroom. It is the embodiment of a learning centered environment and it encourages students to take an active role in shaping their educational experience. LBC activities should be structured so that participants will (1) consider what they will experience and learn (briefing), (2) have the actual experience, and (3) discuss, reflect upon, and connect the experience to their prior learning (de-briefing or reflection).

Learning Beyond the Classroom mini grant proposals should address all three of these components, while also addressing the linkage of theory to the actual hands-on experience. A critical factor in LBC experiences is that they are reflected upon, discussed, and analyzed so that participants can review their learning objectives and their connections to theory, concepts, and materials that have been introduced in a classroom setting. Therefore, all Learning Beyond the Classroom experiences should include a substantial reflection component and this should be clearly addressed in the application. (Staff members are available to assist students with facilitating the reflective component.)

More on Application Components

The Office of Learning Beyond the Classroom has limited funding available for faculty, staff, or students with creative ideas for providing valuable learning experiences outside of the classroom setting.mural resized 1

  • Mini grants must promote the goals of the Office of Learning Beyond the Classroom. Most grants will be small sums of money that may be used to cover transportation costs, food expenses, and costs associated with supplies. Highest consideration will be given to applications for events that will help students satisfy their LBC requirement and/or that demonstrate a commitment to reflection and an exploration of the personal impact of the learning experience on the participants.
  • Applications will be reviewed on an on-going basis by the Director of Learning Beyond the Classroom. Each proposal will be given careful consideration. Timely planning is essential for success; therefore, please submit applications well in advance of your proposed activity (one week minimum).

All mini grant applications MUST include descriptions of the three components mentioned above.

  1. The briefing is your opportunity to help establish a context for the experience. How are you going to educate the participants as to the purpose of the experience?
  2. A well planned and organized experience.
  3. The de-briefing is the time to process the experience. This does not refer to an end result of the experience (a paper or a presentation) but rather to an examination or reflection on the process of learning experientially. This can be done in a variety of ways but should include the following: an interpretation or explanation of the perceptions of what was learned from the experience; an articulation of the insights formulated as a result of the method of the learning; and a discussion of how the experience connects to classroom learning to which the students have already been exposed.

Examples of Grant Funded Programs

  • Class attendance at a Hartford Stage production
  • Historical Society's Historical Road Trip
  • On-site corporate visits
  • Basketball clinic with National Cancer Society
  • Service trips
  • Museum visits
  • Collect survey research data on-site
  • Serving meals at a homeless shelter
  • Site visit for marketing research
  • Field visits for research
 
To download the brochure and application, click here!