News & Events

Extensive rainfall has been a gritty challenge for many northern New England communities during the past decade. In the Upper Valley, rainstorms are more frequent and more severe, washing out roads and bridges and damaging homes and businesses.

A group of students, including Laura Hutchinson ’19, explored this issue recently in the nearby community of Thetford, Vermont. They did this through a social impact practicum (SIP), an experiential learning component of their environmental studies course “The Practice of Science Policy and Diplomacy.”

As college students, we’ve been in school for as long as we can remember. Over time, taking notes during class and studying for exams has become a routine.

In recent years, however, Dartmouth faculty and administrators alike have worked together to design experiential learning courses that challenge students to cultivate their skills outside of the classroom. In up to 12 courses per term, students collaborate with community organizations on projects as part of the Center for Social Impact’s newly-launched Social Impact Practicum program.