Title

The Year One Book: GEMnasium (A Transdisciplinary Test Lab for Social Change)

Author(s)

Brian LaDuca, University of DaytonFollow
Adrienne Ausdenmoore, University of Dayton
Anne R. Crecelius, University of Dayton
Kevin P. Hallinan, University of DaytonFollow
Connie L. Bowman, University of DaytonFollow
Jackie M. Arnold, University of DaytonFollow
Philip Appiah-Kubi, University of DaytonFollow
Jana M. Bennett, University of DaytonFollow
Rebecca P. Blust, University of DaytonFollow
Michelle Hayford, University of DaytonFollow
Jerome Yorke, University of DaytonFollow
Mike Puckett, University of DaytonFollow
Castel Sweet, University of DaytonFollow

Document Type

Report

Publication Date

2018

Place of Publication

Dayton, OH

Inclusive pages

1-44

Abstract

Through an experimental process that is mutually beneficial to community partners, more opportunities for undergraduate research and experiential learning are cultivated. The GEMnasium accomplished this through active efforts of teaching, researching and partnering with the core ethos of the University in mind:

Learn: Teaching - Prepare servant-leaders through comprehensive academic and residential curricula and extraordinary experiential learning opportunities.

Lead: Researching - Perform research that leads to deeper understanding, addresses critical issues, and supports economic growth.

Serve: Partnering - Engage in mutually beneficial partnerships to strengthen our communities in Dayton and around the world.

In doing so, faculty and staff prototyped a social innovation approach and curriculum through a radical new integrated student experience while developing shared scholarship of research “stacks” across the University of Dayton and inter-institutional partners for greater humanity impact.

This integrated learning community was driven by cross-university “transdisciplinary faculties” that encouraged a "fail fast, fail forward" mindset surrounding humanity-centered growth. The participating educators and students focused on a unified grand challenge, contributing their own knowledge and expertise toward a collective effort.

Keywords

experiential learning, collaboration, transdisciplinary, skills, grand challenges, design thinking

Disciplines

Curriculum and Instruction | Educational Leadership | Scholarship of Teaching and Learning | Vocational Education

Comments

View an accompanying video.

eCommons Citation

LaDuca, Brian; Ausdenmoore, Adrienne; Crecelius, Anne R.; Hallinan, Kevin P.; Bowman, Connie L.; Arnold, Jackie M.; Appiah-Kubi, Philip; Bennett, Jana M.; Blust, Rebecca P.; Hayford, Michelle; Yorke, Jerome; Puckett, Mike; and Sweet, Castel, "The Year One Book: GEMnasium (A Transdisciplinary Test Lab for Social Change)" (2018). IACT Reports, Publications and Resources. 5.
https://ecommons.udayton.edu/iact_documents/5