"The MAKE A DIFFERENCE" Project

BACKGROUND: Students have spent almost eight months in Civil Government class, learning the basics of the workings of the American government system. One of the focal areas of this class has been the need for students to become responsible, involved citizens. To that end, students will be asked to undertake an activity that makes a difference politically, in any area of their own interest.

STATE STANDARDS FOR THIS PROJECT: This project addresses the State of Colorado Social Studies Standards for High School Civics 4.1.a: "Engage ethically in civic activities including discussing current issues, advocating for their rights and the rights of others, practicing their responsibilities, influencing
governmental actions, and other community service learning opportunities."

ABOUT CIVIC INVOLVEMENT: In the year 2022, citizens can easily become politically involved in any issue of their interest by signing online petitions, joining special interest groups, donating to a good cause, writing letters to legislators and any one of a million other activities that can show the world that we are interested, involved and hold a good deal of power.

PROJECT REQUIREMENTS:

  1. Students will select an area of political interest of passionate interest. We all have some, determine yours and decide what you do to make a difference.
  2. Students will be expected to RESEARCH their cause so that they will be able to explain the cause and their passion and their actions regarding their cause to the rest of the class. This needs to be a THOROUGH, THOUGHTFUL research project that uncovers all angles of the issue. See the RESEARCH CHART INFORMATION below.
  3. Students will also need to DO AT LEAST TWO THINGS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE REGARDING THEIR CAUSE. These two actions can include any of the following:
    1. Join a club, group, organization or special interest group.
    2. Boycott a product because of company policy or foreign policy issues. (Students must do more than sign two online petitions for this project!)
    3. Sign or start a petition, using online services such as change.org or for a local issue.
    4. Donate to a cause- give unused goods to charity, make a monetary donation, buy a product that gives to charities.
    5. Write a letter- to your congressman, to the President, to the United Nations, to someone you agree with or disagree with.
    6. Volunteer for a cause- go to a soup kitchen, read to the elderly, visit a hospital, pick up trash on the highway.
    7. Any of a million other options that are completely up to the student, but you must ACTIVELY DO SOMETHING for your cause!

THE PERFECT EXAMPLE OF MAKING A DIFFERENCE: For a perfect example of how a kid can make a difference, please review this article: "Boy Uses Money Saved for PS4 to Buy Smoke Alarms After Seeing Fatal Fire on TV."

THE TOPICS THAT CANNOT BE INCLUDED IN THIS PROJECT: Because we have already done projects on issues relating to the 2nd Amendment and Inflation, students must select different topics for this action project. NO EXCEPTIONS! I would also like to avoid RECREATIONAL DRUG related issues, as well. This is not appropriate for a school environment.

POSSIBILITIES FOR CAUSES: Any political issue would be fair game for this project, but the work will be easiest if the cause is being actively discussed, voted on, etc. Here are some possibles:

  • Rights issues, such as Gay Rights, Minority Rights, Citizens Rights regarding 4th Amendment, Homeless Rights, Animal Rights, Reproductive Rights, etc.
  • Environmental Issues: Fracking, Global Warming, Endangered Species, Pollution, The Plight of Bees, etc.
  • Health Issues: Autism, Cancer, the Elderly, Addiction issues, Depression Issues, Suicide Issues, COVID issues.
  • Funding Issues: Government spending, Debt and Deficit Issues, Funding for social programs, welfare issues, Healthcare issues, etc.
  • Individual issues: choice.org has a ton of different individual issues, such as people who may be improperly incarcerated, not able to get their medication, subject to abuse, held in foreign countries, etc. You may choose one of these issues, if you wish.
  • Student Issues: College funding, Student Loan Debt, Campus Violence, Reporting of Violence against Women (a big issue, lately), Binge Drinking, etc.
  • Veteran's Issues: Employment, PTSD, Active Duty Pay, Violence against Women.
  • Political Issues: Support for a candidate, opposition to a candidate or issue.
  • Special Interests: PETA, National Wildlife Foundation, Rock the Vote, etc.
  • Foreign Policy Issues: Ukraine, North Korea.
  • Human Rights Issues: Child Trafficking, Genocide issues, Gender issues regarding education, forced marriage, etc.

HOW DO YOU START?: Students will be expected to complete a good deal of research regarding their issue, the organizations that are involved with the issue and the possible actions that a citizen can take to make a difference regarding their issue. To assist with this, each student could and should complete

The "Make a Difference Research Chart"

The purpose of this chart is to roughly guide the student in their investigation process. THIS IS NOT THE FINAL REQUIREMENT OF THE PROJECT, but rather the STARTING POINT for making decisions about what you believe in and what you would like to do.

A WORD ABOUT CLUBS AND SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS AND ONLINE PETITIONS: Some of these organizations will use your personal information for future mailings and emails. If you do not want to receive such material, GIVE AN ALIAS EMAIL or use your SCHOOL EMAIL, which will be deleted here in a few weeks, anyway. If you are honestly passionate about your cause, feel free to give them your information. I would NOT give any specific personal information on an online petition. If necessary, use the address of the school, instead.

A WORD ABOUT DOCUMENTATION: You will need to UPLOAD files to document your participation in this project. Please save documents, take screenshots, etc. for this part of the project. If you do not document your support, you will not receive credit for this project!

SUBMISSION: As this project has become an EXTRA CREDIT project, the onus will be on the STUDENT to properly complete all facets of this project. BY MIDNIGHT ON SUNDAY, MAY 15TH, students interested in EXTRA CREDIT will send me an email that explains ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CLEARLY:

  1. Your couase and the history of the issues regarding their cause
  2. A description of at least TWO ORGANIZATIONS that are actively involved in your cause and what they do.
  3. DOCUMENTATION of the activities that YOU have taken to support YOUR cause. This should include SCREEN SHOTS, PDF DOCUMENTS, IMAGES, etc.

ALL OF THESE ELEMENTS must be included or you will not receive extra credit.

GRADING: This project will be graded on two elements: 1) The research and background information presented to the class regarding your issue and 2) The two actions that the student takes to make a difference regarding their cause. TOTAL POINTS- 25 for each element, total of 50 possible points. IF YOU ARE NOT THOROUGH, YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE EXTRA CREDIT!