There is a perceived gap between the goals for democracy expressed in the curriculum and the reality of the society and school systems. That gap only widens due to long lists of factual knowledge to be conveyed in only an hour a few times a week in secondary while little time allotted for social studies in elementary. Service learning is "doing" with knowing, thinking, and acting as a citizen. Service learning tied to the curriculum enables students to see the connection between working in a soup kitchen and larger issues such as poverty and homelessness and how communities deal with those problems in light of other competing social needs. It also should help students learn how to advocate for changes they think will be most beneficial.
This session is currently being offered in-person but due to COVID surges it may change to virtual.