Morehead State students share Kentucky history through Level UP courses
Through its Level UP program, Morehead State University prepares students for career success by ensuring they have multiple opportunities to apply what they learn in the classroom in real-world settings throughout their undergraduate years. MSU students recently gained valuable experience while helping preserve and share Kentucky's history.
In the Level UP course titled "Language Arts for Early Elementary," Assistant Professor of Early Childhood, Elementary and Special Education Dr. Gera Nelson had her students complete a collaborative service-learning project with Tilden Hogge Elementary School to enhance their teamwork skills.
"This collaboration has so many benefits to our students. It allows our students to refine their teamwork skills in a real-world educational setting, fosters a sense of civic responsibility, and builds experiences for their resume that show they are effective teachers," Nelson said.
MSU students had the opportunity to volunteer at the school's recent Kentucky History Night, where they worked in teams to develop a lesson complete with an informational display board and hands-on activities. The student's projects featured various activities designed to bring Kentucky's history to life. These activities included constructing Kentucky's state bird, the cardinal, using feathers and a paper plate, building Fort Boonesborough with popsicle sticks, and simulating coal mining in tubs.
"Our students and families enjoyed the hands-on educational activities and displays that the MSU students prepared to go along with our theme of Kentucky history," said Tilden Hogge Elementary School Principal Jessica Elliott (Class of 2009). "We appreciate the partnership as it's a great way for our students to learn a little more, our future MSU educators to experience a successful family involvement and engagement event, and partnerships to be fostered between families and outside agencies to allow for a more all-encompassing experience and environment for our students."
MSU student Isabella Gilvin, a junior elementary education major from Dover, also sees the benefits to her career development.
"It was so much fun interacting with students and their families. As an upcoming senior at Morehead State University, I value the opportunity to use my family engagement strategies in a rural area before I start teaching," she said.
"Level UP courses and service-learning projects not only benefit the community but also enrich the educational journey of our students," said Andrew Sexton (Class of 2020 and 2022), coordinator of service learning.
Level UP: Experience Your Future is a unique program that builds in-demand skills, including teamwork, professionalism, critical thinking, oral communication, and written communication through service learning, internships, education abroad, and undergraduate research.
To learn more about Level UP, contact the Center for Career Development and Experiential Education at 606-783-2233 or careerservices@moreheadstate.edu.
For more information about MSU's Ernst and Sara Volgenau College of Education and its programs, call 606-783-2162 or email ad.miller@moreheadstate.edu.
Photo: Morehead State students completed a collaborative service-learning project with Tilden Hogge Elementary School to enhance their teamwork skills and teach students about Kentucky history as part of MSU's Level UP program.
