GAETI Day 6

We visited teh Extension Center for Economic Education amd Financial Literacy Office. I learned that the word "economics" is a REALLY broad term, at leat with all the things MSU does in that building. Dr. Becky Smith walked us through some pre-writing activities on what ecnomics meant to us; all I could think of at that point was frming and agriculture for some reason. After her presentation, we did a post writing activity; needless to say, we were all more informed. I learned that economists deal with cost and data to help make more informed decisions about the market or state of things. (n I know it's still somewhat vague, but there was sooooo much information it was difficult to process!) For our lunch talk, Dr. Cade Smith came in to talk about the "Alternative Spring Break" service-learning projec. This is where a group has classes and then goes out into the field to do hands on activities to help better a community. Some groups built raised beds to garden as well as green houses, cleaned up trash at various sites and then worked with teh community leaders to help establish some guidelines for helping to keep those places clean. Working with the community was an important part to explain why those areas should be kept clean and what side effects could result in further neglect. Talk about making a difference! Dr. April Heiselt talked extensively about service-learning and how it is different from community service. It as an ongoing process instead of a one time event. She has a dynamic personality that keeps her students on their toes...I bet! James Wilcox met with us via video confernce and he is doing soem service-learning at USM...Go EAGLES!!! He has middle school kids talking to senior citizens about fraud. The students come up with the presentations and then take thos to nursing homes and other places in the community. How NEAT for inter-generational learning! Dr. Bobbie Shaffett talked about financial planning and ways to bring that into the classroom. She had some ver practical ideas with all of the websites students can go to and get involved and help them take control of their learning, th estockmarket game was my favorite. It was a busy day! Lunch from the Pita Pit was fabuloso! I've never had anything quite like that before. Thanks for a great and informative day!