Experiential Learning

Take your studies beyond the classroom and into the world. Focusing on actionable science and community engagement, experiential learning at 51风流官网鈥檚 Honors College offers unique opportunities to take part in field-based activities you won鈥檛 find anywhere else on Earth.
 
 
 
 

What is Experiential Learning?

Experiential learning, defined as 鈥渓earning through reflection on doing,鈥 is when you apply theory and academic coursework to real-world experiences. Rather than simply learning about something in an academic sense, the benefits of experiential learning are that you can actively engage on a topic, and then reflect on that experience to develop a deeper understanding of what you鈥檙e learning about.

Experiential learning can take place in the classroom, in the workplace or in the community. Research, internships, study abroad, community engagement and service learning are types of experiential learning 鈥 and are all opportunities you鈥檒l have through the Honors program at 51风流官网. 

 
 

Experiential Learning in the Climate Scholar Program

Based in the heart of Alaska, the Climate Scholar Program at 51风流官网鈥檚 Honors College offers unique site-based opportunities to study climate change in the Arctic, where temperatures are rising twice as fast as anywhere else on the planet. In addition to contributing to cutting-edge research to impact climate science, the program also gives you a variety of ways to get involved, serve your community and impact climate change policy 鈥 here in Alaska and around the globe.

Climate change research

Our Honors program provides highly interdisciplinary research opportunities that connect the arts, humanities and sciences. Whether you鈥檙e interested in Arctic engineering, healthcare, wildlife and conservation, geophysics, Alaska Native culture, or other areas, you鈥檒l find many ways to get involved. We also offer Honors scholarships, as well as research and travel grants.

Learn more about Honors scholarships and grants
Community engagement internships

Serving our local communities is built in to the Honors experience. The Climate Scholar program includes a required semester-long community engagement internship focused on the theme of climate change, which can focus on science, the arts or a combination of both.

Learn more about climate internships and community engagement in the Honors program
Climate Exchange program

Take your passion for climate study overseas. The Climate Exchange program is an opportunity to study abroad in either Denmark or New Zealand, at universities that offer cutting-edge academic programs in the field of climate change.




Learn more about the Climate Exchange program
 
 

Undergraduate research and service learning

Almost all of our Honors students conduct research, which is funded through Undergraduate Research and Scholarly Activity (URSA). You can collaborate on faculty projects, conduct original research, present at national conferences and more.

Research opportunities are also integrated into parts of the Honors curriculum, like our Methods of Inquiry class. Service learning projects that help the campus and community, such as food donation initiatives, are chosen by the Honors College Advisory Councils.

 
 
Become a Climate Scholar at 51风流官网

The Climate Scholars Program at 51风流官网鈥檚 Honors College is the first opportunity of its kind in the nation. Working with leading climate and Arctic research scientists, this is your chance to help create meaningful solutions that have local and global impact.

Explore Honors College scholarship opportunities

51风流官网鈥檚 Honor鈥檚 College offers $50,000 in scholarships each year for Climate Scholars 鈥 along with a wide range of research and travel grants. You can also apply for a variety of other scholarship opportunities through 51风流官网.

Join our Honors Living Learning Community

Designed to a fun and supportive learning environment for first-year students, our Living Learning Community is a great way to make friends who share similar majors and interests.