Grant Recipient
Helena Shilomboleni, School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability
(Project timeline: November 2024 - October 2025)
Description
This project aims to enhance second-year international development students’ applied research skills and career development through grant writing training on selective topics related to environmental management and adaptation to climate change. This instructional approach offers learners the opportunity to develop practical solutions to sustainability challenges that impact communities at the local or global level.
The project will assess whether grant writing training can improve student motivation and academic performance and interest to utilize this training in a future career. Evidence will be gathered using student perception surveys, end-of-term questionnaires, and post-course focus group discussions. The project will seek greater understanding in how an interactive learning experience might foster deeper student learning through the development of research ideas with links to societal impact. The project also offers essential communication skills for various career paths in environmental studies, such as working for non-profit organizations or continuing their studies as graduate students.
Project Objectives
The goal of this project is to assess whether facilitated applied learning through grant writing training enhances student research skills and career development. The project will take place in a second-year international development course (with 200 students) in the Faculty of Environment.
The project will address the following research questions.
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What impact does grant writing training have on student motivation and academic performance?
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What are some of the benefits and drawbacks of utilizing an applied assessment (i.e. grant writing) versus traditional (theory-based) assessment (e.g., essays)?
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How might applied-based learning through grant writing enhance students’ professional development, including interest to use the training to apply for academic scholarships or in a future career?