Service-Learning
What is Service-Learning?
An educational approach that integrates service in the community with intentional learning activities.
Canadian Alliance for Community Service-Learning
Co-Curricular Service-Learning
In service-learning, you will have a chance to work with children and youth, apply course concepts to the real world, and get co-curricular credit while you build your professional network.
We're proud to be working with a wide range of community and campus partners as part of the service-learning program. Since 2016, our partner organizations have provided over 1,800 placements for Werklund students. Service-Learning primarily takes place in the Fall and Winter semesters, but there are some opportunities that begin or take place in the Spring and Summer semesters.
These are the Service-Learning opportunities available for both semesters. Please use the red "Learn More" buttons to see more information about each opportunity. Please make a note of the Werklund dates and deadlines, as well as program-specific timelines on each program's page.
These programs take place between October and mid-December. Registration typically opens in early September.
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Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth's TIPS Program
Transitioning Into Post-Secondary (TIPS) program helps immigrant youth achieve their personal, social, and academic goals as they finish high school.
This opportunity is open to all BEd students.
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City Hall School
City Hall School is a Campus Calgary program. Students visit downtown space to learn about being an active citizen, understand city design, and how to build communities.
This opportunity is open to all BEd students.
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Classrooms Without Walls (CWW) Volunteers
Lead online sessions through CWW for students in conflict zones and develop cultural sensitivity, innovative teaching strategies, and a sense of social responsibility.
This opportunity is open to all BEd students.
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Complex Needs Educational Experience
William Aberhart High School's comprehensive program is for students in Grades 10-12 with diverse learning and adaptive behaviour needs.
This opportunity is open to all BEd students.
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Contemporary Calgary's Contemporary Kids
Help facilitate weekly programs, where children between the ages of 5 and 12 explore and make contemporary visual art.
This opportunity is open to all BEd students.
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Inclusive Post-Secondary Education (IPSE) Literacy Tutors
Create, plan, and lead literacy-based lessons to enhance students' university experience.
This opportunity is open to students currently taking their EDUC 400 or 500 courses.
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Journey 2050 at the Calgary Stampede
Participants will shadow expert facilitators, learn content, and work with the team to develop in-person and virtual activities which they will have the opportunity to facilitate in person or virtually.
This opportunity is open to all BEd students.
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Junior Achievement's Financial Literacy Workshops
Co-lead engaging workshops that align with the Alberta curriculum and enhance students' work readiness.
This opportunity is open to all BEd students.
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Kindred's Families Together
The Families Together program exists to reduce family stress and build family resiliency through strengthening parent/child relationships, increasing youth resiliency, and increasing social networks.
This opportunity is open to all BEd students.
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Learning Buddies Network
Learning Buddies Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping elementary school students develop essential literacy and math skills through free one-on-one, after-school mentoring in a fun group setting.
This opportunity is open to all BEd students.
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Let's Talk Science
Let's Talk Science is a national charitable organization committed to inspiring and empowering Canadian youth to develop the skills they need to participate and thrive in an ever-changing world.
This opportunity is open to all BEd students.
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Little Red Reading House
Support Little Red Reading House programs, early literacy, and a love of reading in children and families.
This opportunity is open to all BEd students.
-
Sam Centre Volunteers
Support field trips for K-6 students to the Calgary Stampede's Sam Centre that are intentionally designed to bring the Alberta Education Program of Studies to life.
This opportunity is open to all BEd students.
-
St. Anne Academic Centre's Literacy and Numeracy Support for High School ELLs
Work alongside experienced teachers to provide proactive support to students at the St. Anne Academic Centre.
This opportunity is open to students currently in their EDUC 400s or EDUC 500s.
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St. Matthew School's Literacy and Numeracy Support for K to 9
ELL, Literacy and Numeracy, French and English support for K-9 Students in French and/or English at St. Matthew's School.
This opportunity is open to all BEd students. -
Stampede School Facilitators
Develop, plan, lead, and support activities for a first-class education program run by the Calgary Stampede Foundation.
This opportunity is open to students currently in their EDUC 400s or EDUC 500s.
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Support en littératie et numératie de la M à la 12 en français
Support literacy and numeracy development in French at a Francophone school in Airdrie.
This opportunity is open to all BEd students who speak fluent French.
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Trellis' Youth Group Programming
Support youth with their academic work, build mentorship relationships, and support their post-secondary education journeys.
This opportunity is open to all BEd students.
These programs take place between January and mid-March. Registration is now open!
-
Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth's TIPS Program
Transitioning Into Post-Secondary (TIPS) program helps immigrant youth achieve their personal, social, and academic goals as they finish high school.
This opportunity is open to all BEd students.
-
Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra's PhilKids
Inspired by Venezuela's El Sistema program, where students benefit from a social program taught through music.
This opportunity is open to all BEd students (but is ideal for students in their EDUC 400s or non-EDUC courses).
This program may not be available for Winter 2025, due to organizational restructuring. -
City Hall School
City Hall School is a Campus Calgary program. Students visit downtown space to learn about being an active citizen, understand city design, and how to build communities.
This opportunity is open to all BEd students.
-
Classrooms Without Walls (CWW) Volunteers
Lead online through CWW for students in conflict zones and develop cultural sensitivity, innovative teaching strategies, and a sense of social responsibility.
This opportunity is open to all BEd students.
-
Complex Needs Educational Experience
William Aberhart High School's comprehensive program is for students in Grades 10-12 with diverse learning and adaptive behaviour needs.
This opportunity is open to all BEd students
-
Contemporary Calgary's Contemporary Kids
Help facilitate weekly programs, where children between the ages of 5 and 12 explore and make contemporary visual art.
This opportunity is open to all BEd students.
-
Incoming TAB Support
The Incoming Teaching Across Borders Program supports international students from our TAB partners while they are visiting Calgary. Stay tuned for updates!
This opportunity is open to all BEd students.
-
Inclusive Post-Secondary Education (IPSE) Literacy Tutors
Create, plan, and lead literacy-based lessons to enhance students' university experience.
This opportunity is open to students currently taking their EDUC 400 or 500 courses.
-
Journey 2050 at the Calgary Stampede
Participants will shadow expert facilitators, learn content, and work with the team to develop in-person and virtual activities which they will have the opportunity to facilitate in person or virtually.
This opportunity is open to all BEd students.
-
Junior Achievement's Financial Literacy Workshops
Co-lead engaging workshops that align with the Alberta curriculum and enhance students' work readiness.
This opportunity is open to all BEd students.
-
Kindred's Families Together
The Families Together program exists to reduce family stress and build family resiliency through strengthening parent/child relationships, increasing youth resiliency, and increasing social networks.
This opportunity is open to all BEd students.
-
Learning Buddies Network
Learning Buddies Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping elementary school students develop essential literacy and math skills through free one-on-one, after-school mentoring in a fun group setting.
This opportunity is open to all BEd students.
-
Let's Talk Science
Let’s Talk Science is a national charitable organization committed to inspiring and empowering Canadian youth to develop the skills they need to participate and thrive in an ever-changing world.
This opportunity is open to all BEd students.
-
Little Red Reading House
Support Little Red Reading House programs, early literacy, and a love of reading in children and families.
This opportunity is recommended to students currently in their EDUC 400s courses.
-
Sam Centre Volunteers
Support field trips for K-6 students to the Calgary Stampede's Sam Centre that are intentionally designed to bring the Alberta Education Program of Studies to life.
This opportunity is open to all BEd students.
-
St. Anne Academic Centre's Literacy and Numeracy Support for High School ELLs
Work alongside experienced teachers to provide proactive support to students at the St. Anne Academic Centre.
This opportunity is open to students currently in their EDUC 400s or EDUC 500s. -
St. Matthew School's Literacy and Numeracy Support for K to 9
ELL, Literacy and Numeracy, French and English support for K-9 Students in French and/or English at St. Matthew's School.
This opportunity is open to all BEd students. -
Stampede School Facilitators
Develop, plan, lead, and support activities for a first-class education program run by the Calgary Stampede Foundation.
This opportunity is open to students currently in their EDUC 400s or EDUC 500s.
-
Support en littératie et numératie de la M à la 12 en français
Support literacy and numeracy development in French at a Francophone school in Airdrie.
This opportunity is open to all BEd students who speak fluent French.
-
Telus Spark School and Day Camp Support
Support delivery, logistics, and prep of all curriculum-based activities that occur at the science centre. 5-16 year olds.
This opportunity is open to all BEd students.
-
Trellis' Youth Group Programming
Support youth with their academic work, build mentorship relationships, and support their post-secondary education journeys.
This opportunity is open to all BEd students.
Fall Semester Timeline
- Fall 2024 Applications Open: August 28, 2024
- Werklund Information Sessions:
- Cancelled; please email wse.experiential@ucalgary.ca with any questions about the Service-Learning program or to arrange for a meeting.
- Fall 2024 Applications Close: September 17, 2024 for smaller programs, larger placement applications are ongoing.
- Fall 2024 Placements Start: early October (program dependent)
- Fall 2024 Placements End: mid-December (program dependent)
Winter Semester Timeline
- Winter 2025 Applications Open: November 15, 2024
- Winter 2025 Information Session: November 26, 5:00 pm (Zoom)
- Winter 2025 Applications Close: Ongoing, program-dependent
- Winter 2025 Placements Start: early January (program dependent)
- Winter 2025 Placements End: mid-March (program dependent)
Experiential Learning Check-In & Reflection Opportunities
All participants in Experiential Learning programs are welcome and encouraged to attend at least two of the check-in & reflection sessions below as part of their program. Reflection is an incredibly important part of experiential learning. It encourages students to consider their experience so far and to adjusted as needed as they go forward through the rest of their program, or into the next step of their career.
Fall Check-In & Reflection Sessions
More information for Fall 2025 coming soon!
Winter Check-In & Reflection Sessions
More information for Winter 2026 coming soon!
Other Service-Learning Opportunities
The Volunteering with Diverse Communities Program (VDC) is an optional offering connected to the EDUC 450: Diversity in Learning course in the winter semester of our BEd program. While all Education students must take EDUC 450 before they graduate, the VDC program is an optional extension to enhance your experience in the course.
Registration for this program opens in the Fall semester, and placement volunteering occurs in the Winter semester.
Building Community & Connection in Classrooms is a collaborative opportunity with K-12 schools. This three-week service-learning placement gives students entering their final year of the program the chance to work alongside teachers as they begin a new school year. Participants support the school start-up process and work with teachers to develop classroom community and foster relationships with students from August until late September.
Registration opens in March, volunteering takes place in late August and September.
Connect Your Skills to Your Career! Visit Werklund's Graduation and Career supports here.
Collaborating with others ... to better understand and resolve challenges facing the communities we are all a part of.
Gemmel and Clayton, 2009