Working with the Volunteers of America Family Emergency Shelter, they are screening children for language skills development, teaching parents how to help their children develop such skills and supporting children’s language development through direct interaction.

While they are helping the community, the project also benefits them, said Jon Lee, project director, doctoral student and instructor.

This opportunity allows our teacher candidates to engage the community in which they will serve, while providing a necessary service and honing the skills they’ll utilize in their future classrooms, he said.

Lee’s language development project is one of several community engagement projects that will be highlighted at the April 12 Community Engagement Showcase.

Featured projects are tied to Ideas to Action and critical thinking, represent student community service and are examples of how faculty connect their teaching and research to community needs, said Henry Cunningham, director of student engagement in the Office of the Vice President for Community Engagement.

The showcase is intended not only to promote community engagement on campus and to provide an information-sharing forum for faculty and students, but also to recognize the efforts of those who have been working in the community, he said.

There also will be a chance for people to Get engaged by helping prepare the beds and plant seeds at the Garden Commons, Cunningham said.

This should be a fun event.

The Community Engagement Showcase will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Red Barn.

Co-sponsors are Office of The Vice President for Community Engagement, Delphi Center for Teaching and Learning, Office of Civic Engagement, Leadership and Service.