The St. George Youth Center is a site for UC Links, a network of afterschool programs based on university community partnerships. UC Links’ core tenants are research, teaching and service. Undergraduates participate in practicum courses with a civic engagement component to bring the university knowledge to their sites and also learn from the students and parents they interact with. Faculty members teach classes and oversee programs for K-12 students.
At UCSB, undergraduate students learn critical pedagogy theory and educational ethnography techniques. On site, they help with homework and give advice on the importance of completing high school and preparing for college. Starting in Fall 2015, UC Links Project faculty and graduate students implemented afterschool activities targeting cognitive and problem-solving skills and supporting interest in science content and careers.