Our Service Principles

Experiential Learning In The Libraries

U T A with star in the center, used when staff photo is unavailable

by Martin Wallace

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Did you know that UTA Libraries has an “experiential learning” program with its own event series? The Experiential Learning and Undergraduate Success (ELUS) department aims to provide rich experiences for students to “learn by doing,” hands-on, project and problem based activities that encourage them to critique and critically reflect on their participation. But that’s not what draws them in. Our events are so fun, unique and engaging that students don’t even notice that they’re learning until it’s too late!

I say “we” and “our” as a proud member of ELUS, but I have to give credit where credit is truly due. None of this was possible without the addition of Milaun Murry to the ELUS team as our outreach and events lead. She brings ideas, skills, energy and enthusiasm to the role like none I’ve seen before and she pretty much single-handedly plans, sets up, facilitates, and stays to clean up most of our events.

ELUS leadership from Gretchen Trkay has also been instrumental to our event series' success. Like Milaun, Gretchen possesses a lot of ideas, skills, energy and enthusiasm, but even she admits that our current level and volume of activity is only possible because of Milaun. "We got the right person for this job!", to more or less quote Gretchen after we realized the--quite honestly--miraculous, level of accomplishment Milaun has achieved.  

Here are some recent write-ups from the Shorthorn about our events: Not listed here is a really interesting public critique of a slightly creepy (in my opinion) painting, a human library, and hands-on cooking (Maverick Kitchen: Cheap Eats). Coming up, we have a whole series of anime, cosplay and costume & prop design workshops throughout October, and a game design series with interactive exhibit in November. Keep an eye on the Libraries event calendar for details: https://library.uta.edu/events

Maverick Stampede Escape Room

http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/library-escape-room-adds-mystery-to-maverick-stampede/article_c0492c02-aa4c-11e8-93bb-bf6c61d77573.html

Makeover Your Space

http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/makeover-your-space-helps-students-personalize-their-new-homes/article_048b05a8-a646-11e8-90f0-139991f65fb0.html

Bounty of Nature

http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/bounty-of-nature-series-grows-to-help-students-garden/article_a0a08b52-12c6-11e8-8b85-c3681295e798.html

Pitch of the Week (sadly, now on hiatus)

http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/uta-fablab-presents-pitch-of-the-week-finals/article_8521fb08-d618-11e7-b32d-d7c44baa4eb2.html

2016 Halloween Workshop Series

http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/fablab-hosts-halloween-themed-workshops/article_00a5c0c4-9570-11e6-84b7-0bb7709c2123.html

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