PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:
The Experiential Learning Seed Grant (ELSG) Program is a competitive internal funding program for Valdosta State University faculty and staff. It is financially supported by the VSU Planning and Budget Council and President’s Cabinet, and managed and administered by the QEP Coordinator and EL Advisory Committee.
Program Objectives
To assist faculty
- To off-set project costs associated with Experiential Learning activities for Valdosta State University students.
- To assist faculty and staff in implementing Experiential Learning activities for Valdosta State University students through development support.
AWARD INFORMATION:
Subject to continued funding, a total of $20,000 per fiscal year is available for the ELSG program this year. It is anticipated that a total of 3 – 5 proposals will be awarded.
A call will be distributed to campus whereby a sponsor can request funding for a project, up to $4,000 total per annual award. Faculty may request a budget to cover development support for implementing activities, offset project costs, and or need-based student financial support. Each faculty member will need to apply for an Experiential Learning Endorsement for the Course Activity or Program prior to applying for an Experiential Learning Seed Grant (ELSG). An ELSG application link will be made available if desired after the faculty member submits the Experiential Learning Endorsement for a Course Activity or Program application.
Maximum award amounts are as follows:
- Single Experiential Learning Activity: $4,000/annual award (award can be utilized over two terms, ex. Fall, Spring course sections)
Sample Funding Project Ideas
- Offset expenses for Russian Language and Culture Students to travel to Jacksonville where they will engage their Russian knowledge in a grocery store, restaurant, and theatre.
- Offset expenses for science students to travel to the Okefenokee Swamp to collect water samples and process those samples in the lab.
The application for Spring 2025 Experiential Learning Seed Grants is OPEN and will close Nov. 4, 2024. Complete the EL Course Activity Endorsement first, or email QEP@valdosta.edu for the Seed Grant application link.
Previous ELSG Recipients
Students liked the chance to work and tackle issues as a team. This experience taught them all how to split up work and communicate effectively as a team. It allowed them to realize how tasks can get completed if the members of the group understand efficient teamwork and cooperation. Technically, the experience gave the student exposure to parallel/distributed programming – something that is very important in today’s Computer Science knowledge.
Anurag Dasgupta, Computer Science
The cameras purchased by the ELSG allowed for students to develop and execute their own independent research projects in my Animal Behavior course. This experience due to the resources provided by the ELSG gave the students an opportunity to be research scholars and collect, analyze, and present their own experiments. The process was an important part of the student’s professional development as scientists and allowed them to see the scientific process from start to finish. They all were incredibly proud of their projects and it was a great experience for everyone involved, including those outside of the course who were able to attend the poster presentations.
Emily Rose, Biology
First, I want to thank the grant for its support of our software, data, and field trips so our students get to meet with professional transportation planners and operators to see how urban planning and public transit work in the real world in several cities we visited. Students were very happy to see the successful planning projects in multiple places as well. It inspires students to pursue future public service careers. Second, the grant enabled us to buy software that we normally would not be able to purchase. Our students were able to use the software to do some analysis of the data we collected. They help our students to apply the concepts and theory of planning to real-world projects and see how theory connects with the practice.
Jia Lu, Geography