Service-Learning Projects in University Degrees Based on Sustainable Development Goals: Proposals and Results

Paula M. Castro, Ana Ares-Pernas and Adriana Dapena
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Paula M. Castro: Department of Computer Engineering & CITIC Research Center, University of A Coruña, 16071 A Coruña, Spain
Ana Ares-Pernas: Department of Physics and Earth Sciences & Polymers Group, Research Technological Center, University of A Coruña, 15403 Ferrol, Spain
Adriana Dapena: Department of Computer Engineering & CITIC Research Center, University of A Coruña, 16071 A Coruña, Spain

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 19, 1-23

Abstract: We present several Service-Learning projects developed considering Sustainable Development Goals to provide the students skills for the support of a sustainable society. This project begins with collecting initial impressions from surveys and reflections to know both the students’ expectations and their degree of involvement in the development of a sustainable society. Next, the students design academic projects taking into account the needs of the specific collective to which the Service-Learning activity is oriented. When this design has finished, such projects are developed with the users and the activity is evaluated. During 2019–2020, these projects were done with four entities oriented to people either with Asperger’s syndrome, Down syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease or mental health illnesses. A total of 35 and 10 students, respectively, from the Bachelor’s Degree of Engineering in Industrial Design and Product Development and from the Master’s Degree in Professorship of High School have participated in this experience. We analyze the results from the perspective of the different agents involved, considering both qualitative and quantitative metrics. The results show that both users and staff are satisfied with this collaboration between the university and their entities. Moreover, this experience clearly has contributed to a better personal and professional student’s development.

Keywords: disadvantaged people; higher education students; professional and curricular skills; service-learning; sustainable development goals (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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