Bates service-learning students present findings in Sabbatus and Turner

Bates College students enrolled in “Public Opinion,” an advanced-level seminar taught by Douglas Hodgkin, professor of political science, are investigating the Nezinscot River Dam for the town of Turner and a proposed middle school for the town of Sabbatus.

Eight Bates students each are working on these two service-learning projects and will present their findings at town meetings open to the public.

The student presentation to the Turner Dam Committee will be made at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7, at the Turner Town Office. The student presentation concerning the middle school will be made before the Sabbatus School Committee at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 8, in the Sabbatus Elementary School.

During summer 1999, Hodgkin distributed a request for proposals to city and town managers and school superintendents in Androscoggin County. From the responses, he selected two projects based on what he thought would interest students as well as offer the potential for contributing to local decision-making.