An action research course combined student research and community service, with researchers collaborating with practitioner researchers on projects that contributed to the solution of significant community problems involving service to children. Two projects were particularly successful: a multi-method approach to learning about violence and violence prevention efforts in schools, and a qualitative evaluation of a K-3 curriculum based on the theory of multiple intelligences.

For the school violence program students interviewed children, parents, and school administrators about the efficacy of violence-prevention programs to see the difference between how children and adults see the problem.

For the multiple intelligences study students designed 6 stations based on six of the intellegences and observed each child for a week at each station. The children in the study all suffered from academic, self-esteem, or behavioral problems. At the end of the six week study the teachers felt they had a better appreciation for each of the intelligences and that children discovered new strengths.

Website: http://abacus.bates.edu/admin/offices/service-learning/