Criteria 3: Project

What is a civic engagement project?

A civic engagement project is one in which a student or group of students defines problems in their own communities, investigates root causes and possible solutions, develops and implements plans to address those problems, and reflects on their actions to help them develop their identities as citizens with rights and responsibilities.

You must complete at least one civic engagement project.

You must show ongoing evidence of your civic engagement project activities by reporting and tracking your progress.  

Your civic engagement project must:

Address a real-world problem or need.

• Identify the real-world problem or need, including how and why you chose that topic

Investigate the root causes of the problem or need and provide evidence for the analysis of the root cause.

• Show that you have done background research. 

• Identify the types of work already being done to address the issue.

Explore possible solutions and varied responses to the problem.

Explain the variety of solutions you have explored, and why you decided on the plan of action you chose.

Develop a plan of action that addresses interpersonal behavior and/or institutional policies.

• What barriers make solving the problem a challenge?

• How will you educate others about the problem?

Implement your plan of action.

• Explain the steps in your action plan from beginning to end.

• Develop a timeline/calendar.

• Collect data before, during, and after the project.

• Include a plan for evaluating your project's effectiveness and impact.

Execute the project.

• Gather evidence (video, photographs, images) and documentation of your project activities and outcomes.