Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
The proposed project involves developing Culturally Relevant Experiential Learning opportunities in undergraduate courses in Apparel Merchandising & Management (College of Agriculture), Civil Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering (College of Engineering) at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. We aimto attract and supportunderrepresented students to prepare them for careers related to agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences in the United States, and to enhance the quality of postsecondary instruction. These are the top two priorities identified by the Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI)education grants program. Overarching themes of the project include Sustainable Development Education and Gina Garcia'smultidimensional framing of "servingness" at Hispanic Serving Institutions that aims to "elevate" the "S" to address primary equity and justice challenges. The proposed project meets the following HSI educational needs: 1a) Curricula Design by updating undergraduate courses in Apparel Merchandising & Management, Civil Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering to meet Culturally Relevant Experiential Learning expectations, 1b) Materials Development through the creation of projects that align with the focus on US natural fibers, agricultural byproducts, sustainability, and economic development. 1c) Library Resources by exposing students to the Cal Poly Pomona library resources. To enhance the educational need of 5) Student Experiential Learning, students will engage inhigh impact approaches, including"farm to retail" with the univeristy sheep unit and farm store. We aim to reach approximately 375 students,as well ascommunity audiences.
Animal Health Component
30%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
30%
Applied
30%
Developmental
40%
Goals / Objectives
The following Objectives aim to facilitate student learning with Apparel and Engineering undergraduate students at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona:Faculty will develop Culturally Relevant Experiential Learning (CUREs and ALEs) connected to US natural fibers and/or agricultural byproducts focused on (a) sustainability and (b) economic development to enhance student engagement.Students will engage in Culturally Relevant Experiential Learning through (a) a course, (b) professional development opportunity, (c) outreach, and (d) convey their knowledge with a culminating experience.Faculty will engage in high impact pedagogical research activities to make iterative course improvements.Students and faculty will build capacity towards Cal Poly Pomona "farm-to-retail" products with attention to (a) campus and US farm wool, (b) processing of diversified products, as well as (c) marketing and retail in the campus farm store.Faculty will determine the extent that the project activities address "servingness" at an HSI.
Project Methods
To address Objectives 1-3, proposed Culturally Relevant Experiential Learning by course:Faculty identified 10 Apparel, Civil Engineering, and Mechancal Engineering courses, includng lower and upper division.An overarching theme is Sustainable Development Education with attention to UN Sustainable Development Goals to address challenges in apparel and engineering industries. Courses will engage students in a polytechnic "learn by doing" experience with attention to US natural fibers from small and mid-sized farms (wool, alpaca, mohair, cashmere, cotton, flax, hemp), exploring innovations with agricultural byproducts (PLA for 3D printing), as well as intersections with sustainability and economic development with real-world implications.Pre- and post-survey data will be collected to assess student perspectives.To address Objective 4, proposed Culturally Relevant Experiential Learning:Student assistant activities during the academic year and summer will include engagement in community outreach in the campus and local community (i.e., Cal Poly Pomona Agriscapes, L.A. County Fair, high school, etc.), as well as interdisciplinary experiential learning with university farm resources with Apparel and Engineering students. Natural fibers will be sourced from the Cal Poly Pomona Sheep Unit, and US small-and-mid sized farms based on student recommendations from courses. The quality of materials will be evaluated to facilitate scaled production in a US fiber mill to support local economic development. Value-added apparel, textile, footwear, and/or industrial products will be created, marketed, and available as "farm to retail" products in the campus farm store.To address Objective 5, proposed approaches:The HSI literature will be reviewed throughout the project duration to determine university typology, indicators of "servingness," and gaps. Pedagogical research activities and Garcia et al.'s (2019) multidimensional framework of servingness in HSIs will inform approaches to effectively engage with minoritized students. Faculty will discuss key concepts each year.