The Center for Experiential Learning recently held its second Summer Seminar, entitled “Embracing Detroit and its Environments,” educating students about the culture, makeup, politics, science and more that makes the city what it is.
While many of her fellow Schoolcraft College students were busy looking at art during a recent visit to the Detroit Institute of Arts, Odyssey Brown was looking at how the pieces got it in the building.
A Supply Chain Management and Business Administration student, Brown was mostly curious about figuring out how to properly place these priceless artifacts throughout the museum and how they were protected while en route on the institute’s floor.
“You have to import the art, export the art,” she said. “I’m looking at things through a logistics standpoint.”
A visit to the DIA was just one of several experiences for students in The Center for Experiential Learning’s second Summer Seminar, held Aug. 10-14. Entitled “Embracing Detroit and its Environments,” more than 20 students embarked on several trips to the Motor City to learn more about the culture, makeup, politics, science and more that makes the city what it is.
“This summer seminar is truly a great opportunity for our students to become more educated about Detroit and experience it in an unparalleled way.” -Errin Stegich-Moloney, Manager of the Center for Experiential Learning
Now in its second year, the summer seminar – a non-credit offering – serves as an interdisciplinary learning experience, combining classroom instruction with immersive experiences.
James Schoenkopf, an Honors Program student who moved to Michigan from California a few years back, said the program was a great opportunity to get to know his new home.
He saw the weeklong seminar as a good addition to his academic track, which includes completing an Associate Degree in General Studies. After that, he’s unsure of his specific pathway, but said the culinary arts may be calling to him.
“I might want to get back to working in restaurants. I’m missing that,” he said. “I like being in the heat of the action.”
A whole Detroit experience
In addition to the focus on local art, students focused on the ecological impact of the city through a visit to Belle Isle State Park – where students participated in service learning removing invasive species with the Department of Natural Resources – and wrapped up the week with a boat trip along the Detroit River.
“This summer seminar is truly a great opportunity for our students to become more educated about Detroit and experience it in an unparalleled way,” said Errin Stegich-Moloney, Manager of the Center for Experiential Learning. “Our students are passionate learners and have a better understanding of their community after this week.”
The trip to the DIA allowed students to explore the grandiose museum, which contains more than 65,000 pieces of art, one of the largest collections in the United States. In addition, special attention was paid to African American art, which students learned about during a tour led by a pair of DIA docents that helped students understand how art evolves over time.
It was Matthew Saval’s first trip to the DIA. He ended up walking away with a sense of wonder after seeing the incredible works of art throughout the museum.
“This place, the DIA, it’s so cool. I’m so glad I had a tour with some guidance for the first time,” he said. “I really love to learn about places in the places. And this is the epitome of that.”
The week was especially unique for Brown, who takes all her courses online through Schoolcraft’s Distance Learning due to her working a full-time job during the day. Having the opportunity to connect with her fellow students in-person made it that much more special for her.
“I love it. It’s great to interact with people,” Brown said. “Everything we’re doing, supply chain has some sort of aspect in everything that we have.”
