Upcoming Events – Cooperative Extension

In the 2021 Fall Semester Hannah Carter and Lisa Phelps will be teaching a Research Learning Experience class for Cooperative Extension called “Extending Your Learning Through Cooperative Extension.” Part of the Harold Alfond Foundation Challenge Grant, the Research Learning Experience (RLE) is defined as “a wide range of learning opportunities in university activity of research, scholarship, creative production and community engagement as a beginning foundation for engagement in UMS students’ undergraduate careers, and as a very useful preparation for their future careers.” The University of Maine and the University of Maine at Machias is piloting an RLE program for first-year and second-year students in fall 2021.

The Learning Outcomes of the Cooperative Extension RLE are:

• Students will learn more about Cooperative Extension and its outreach, applied research, education and community engagement mission.
• Students will engage in meaningful hands-on applied research and/or community outreach, education and engagement opportunities with Cooperative Extension faculty and staff throughout the state.
• Students will have opportunities to network with other students enrolled in the Cooperative Extension RLE, faculty and staff throughout Cooperative Extension and various stakeholder groups around the state.
• Students will be mentored by Cooperative Extension faculty and staff who can also provide meaningful networking contacts to support students’ career interests.
• Students will gain valuable workforce and employability skills.

Hannah and Lisa are inviting UMaine Extension Faculty and Staff to consider joining us in this RLE experience. We are hoping that we can identify 15-20 hands-on applied research and/or community outreach, education and engagement opportunities with Cooperative Extension faculty and staff throughout the state.

Each Cooperative Extension RLE would consist of a 20-25 total hour hands-on experience working with a Cooperative Extension mentor through the fall 2021 semester. If you are interested in mentoring an RLE student please fill out the survey below by June 18th. Hannah and Lisa as instructors of the class will work with the Cooperative Extension RLE mentors to provide training and support as needed.

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Your Name*
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Your Email*
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Name of Research Learning Experience (RLE):*
Where/location of the RLE (For RLEs not occurring on the UMaine campus may require virtual participation given potential travel challenges for the RLE student)*
(For example: office location, field location, city/town, etc.)
Is there office space/support for an RLE if needed?*
- Yes
- No
If yes, where is the space located or who would provide office support?*
Is there computer/technology access available if needed?*
- Yes
- No
Start date for the 20-25 hour RLE*
(must be between September 13th and December 10th)
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Proposed End date for the RLE*
MM slash DD slash YYYY
What is the main learning objective of the RLE experience?*
The objective needs to be realistic, achievable, and represent a quality learning experience for RLE students. For example: Conduct outreach with current and prospective stakeholders by using various methods of communication. Or helping with an educational program or research project.
What are the learning tasks for the main learning objective listed above?*
For example, the learning tasks that support the main learning objective examples given in the previous question could be: Helping to research various stakeholder needs, assisting with an educational program by helping to design materials used during the program, helping to gather research data, etc.
Specific training/support needed for the RLE student?*
What are the work environment expectations of the RLE student?*
Questions you have for Hannah and Lisa?

Research Learning Experience Interest Form