Michael Egan is tired of asking students to write papers.

“They write them, I read them, and no one ever looks at their work again,” said the
associate professor of history. “I know my students can write – I want to know what
else they can do.”

To find out, Egan gave his class of more than 50 Arts & Science students a unique
assignment: team up with staff at McMaster's libraries and help them complete an
energy and waste audit to determine how, when and where electricity is used and garbage
produced, and then help them develop an advertising campaign to
communicate the results.

“The students are so bright and so eager and have so much to offer,” said Egan. “A
project like this really challenges them to apply their knowledge, which is the whole
point of service-learning.”

To tackle the assignment the class divided into three groups – one to study energy, one to
study waste and one responsible for the ad campaign – and began working with
University Librarian
Jeff Trzeciak to determine what should be measured and how.

“McMaster's libraries are some of the most-frequented places on campus, so they end
up producing a lot of waste and consuming a lot of energy,” said Trzeciak. “We're really
looking forward to the results of the audits and seeing what approach the class takes
in educating their fellow students about conservation in the libraries.”

According to Sam Colbert, a member of the group working on advertising, the whole
process has been a refreshing experience.

“It's one thing to learn about the issues in a lecture hall,” he said, “but it's another to
actually get out there and see those issues first hand.”

Egan is no stranger to experimenting with new ways of teaching and learning. His past
assignments have included the use of slidecasts, slideshows paired with podcasts, in
order to present their research. Egan says that by utilizing different tools he can
challenge students to get out of their comfort zones and see what they are truly
capable of.

“By using different media for research projects the students' work is given a life beyond
the classroom. They can share what they've done with friends and family and that
challenges them to be more thorough and to take pride in their work,” he said. “Just
like with the Library waste and energy audits, they can point to the work once they're
finished and say 'That's something I accomplished', and it will have a lasting impact.”

Egan also says that because different projects require different kinds of
communication, working on something other than a standard essay paper actually
improves writing skills.

“It really helps them develop a clarity of communication, which means I spend less time
correcting grammar and more time evaluating quality work.”

The students are currently finishing their analysis of the libraries' energy use and waste
production and are developing their educational campaign, which will include the use
of digital ads placed on computer desktops. Colbert says that given the theme of the
project, the class is hoping to make advertising as environmentally friendly as possible.

“Sustainability in campus libraries can result in a number of benefits for students,” he
said, “but we want to be able to communicate that information and educate students
without creating more waste.”

The project is scheduled for completion by the end of the term.