Arts and Sciences faculty and staff have garnered three out of the four 2011 OSU CARES Seed Grant Awards for outstanding outreach projects. The projects, which involve collaborations between departments in the College of Arts and Sciences and OSU Extension, showcase how the arts and sciences is sharing its expertise across the state and strengthening its relationships with community partners.

Congratulations to all of our winners!

Summer Freedom School for Disadvantaged Children in the University District: The Department of Linguistics and the OSU Extension/4-H Youth Development program have formed a new partnership to support two Freedom Schools in the University District and Weinland park areas. The Freedom Schools will last six weeks in the summer and provide a full-day educational enrichment opportunity for 100 children in these neighborhoods. PI: Don Winford, Professor, Linguistics, College of Arts and Sciences. Partners: Beth Boomershine, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences; April Blaine, Co-Pastor, Summit United Methodist Church

Weed and Wasp Walking Workshop: This multi-disciplinary group – clinical sciences (allergy), entomology/Extension and plant biology – will be utilizing research/teaching faculty of entomology and plant biology to train allergy physicians to recognize and communicate allergen-reduction strategies. A pocket guide of pictures of trees, flowers, plants and insects will be a resource for the physician to use during one-on-one consultation. PIs: Glen Needham, Associate Professor, Entomology Administration/Extension, College of Arts and Sciences; Bryan Martin, Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education, Associate Medical Director for GME, (University Hospital), Program Director, Allergy & Immunology Fellowship Program, College of Medicine; Partner: Cynthia Dassler, Program Coordinator, Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, College of Arts and Sciences.

Hearing New Voices: Introducing Youth to Production Media: This grant addresses the critical need for Ohio’s young people to develop workforce skills and the need for an engaged citizenry. Promoting youth media production is a way for young people to learn valuable media skills, explore career options, and participate in positive youth development activities, as well as participate in their communities in new ways by investigating and leading discussion on key issues. PI: Kristi Lekies, Assistant Professor, School of Environment and Natural Resources, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Partners: Douglas Dangler, Associate Director, Center for the Study of Teaching of Writing, College of Arts and Sciences; Janice Hanna, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences; Robin Stone and Tiffany Walker, Program Coordinator/Program Assistant, Youth Advisory Committee of Cuyahoga County, OSU Extension, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Read more: http://osucares.osu.edu/grantsprogram.htm