civic responsibility assignment

Lesson Plan

July 29, 2020, 8:54 a.m.

Lesson plan: Civic engagement and how students can get involved

Hillsborough High School students protest a Republican-backed bill dubbed the "Don't Say Gay" that would prohibit classroom discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity, a measure Democrats denounced as being anti-LGBTQ, in Tampa, Florida, March 3, 2022. REUTERS/Octavio Jones

What rights and abilities do you have when it comes to advocating for issues you believe in? Use the lesson plan below to discuss civic engagement and the role citizens play in making our voices heard.

U.S. government, civics, social studies

Estimated time

Grade level.

Middle and High School

To understand the importance of civic participation and the tools which allow individuals to engage in the political process.

Essential auestions

What forms does civic participation come in? Why does civic engagement matter?

• Ask students how many historical political movements they can name that accomplished significant and transformative change in the United States or elsewhere. Make a list as a class.
• Show the We the Voters video below on the rights to free speech, free assembly and petitioning the government and how the U.S. Constitution guarantees them.

• Why have individuals in U.S. history come together in order to protest an issue they care about? It is important to note that not everyone feels comfortable with the idea of participating in a political protest. What are some other ways to get involved in addition to protests? Make a list as a class. ( Examples: Serve the community through charity, run for office in your town or city, attend town hall meetings, contact your state legislature to voice your opinion, organize a community event, etc.)
• Show this We the Voters video, Run Rep Run , on one young person’s run for office on the state level.

• Ask students: Would you ever consider running for office one day? Why or why not? What are some issues in their own community that students feel passionate about? Which issues affect their lives directly? Make a list as a class.
• Have you ever “gotten involved” in an issue you care about? (Examples: attended an inauguration, protest, town hall meeting, or other political event, contacted a politician, signed a petition, etc.)
• What is one issue, local or national, that you care about? Why?
• Who did you interview and why?
• What did you learn about the person you interviewed that you did not know?
• What surprised you?
• Why is it important to talk with others about issues that matter? Why is it important to talk with others on issues that you may not agree on?
• Ask students if they know who the governor of their state is, as well as any names of senators or representatives that represent them at the state and national level.
• Use this website to look up the information as a class.
• How many senators does each state have? How many representatives does each state have? How many governors does each state have?
• What is the difference between federal and state government?
• What are the three branches of the federal government? Which positions are under each branch? Use this diagram to demonstrate.

(Source: kids.usa.gov)

• Students should pick one of the representatives or senators from their state that they looked up in class.
• Then, look up that person’s vote on any given bill in the state legislature or Congress. Write down what the bill was about and how the lawmaker voted on it. Be prepared to share in class.
• Students should research and record 5 facts about their current state governor. Avoid facts about personal life. Focus on things like what bills they have signed into law, what legislation have they been most vocal about, accomplishments, political affiliation, etc. Be prepared to share in class.
• Possible responses: research news articles online, look at the government ‘bill tracker’ website which states the status of bills-every state has one, write an email or call your representative’s office voicing your opinion on a issue–note: lawmakers have moved with the times when it comes to communicating with their constituents. Writing a letter through the U.S. postal service is no longer the way the majority of constituents communicate with their legislators.

Extension activities

• Check out these “Seven engaging civics lesson plans” on EXTRA and PBS Learning Media’s Election Collection here.
• Use the website iCivics as a fun, interactive way to learn about government.

By Vic Pasquantonio, education producer at the PBS NewsHour and former social studies teacher, and Laura Rockefeller, a junior at Roland Park Country School in Baltimore, Maryland and NewsHour Classroom intern.

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Civic duty and civic responsibility

Becoming a U.S. citizen is a proud moment that comes with many benefits. It also brings with it some important responsibilities and duties. Learn how you can contribute to your community and country.

What is civic duty and responsibility?

Civic duties are actions that laws require you to do as a U.S. citizen. Civic responsibilities are steps you voluntarily take to support your community. Civic engagement takes those responsibilities further by working on problems that affect everyone in the community. 

Your responsibilities and duties as a citizen also come with certain benefits and rights .

10 ways to be a responsible U.S. citizen

1. show your loyalty to the usa.

You will have taken the Oath of Allegiance if you are a newly naturalized citizen. It is a civic duty to be loyal to the USA and give up loyalty to any other country. 

U.S. citizens can have citizenship in two countries at the same time. Some countries do not allow dual citizenship with the USA. You may have to give up your citizenship if your country of nationality does not allow dual citizenship. 

2. Follow U.S. laws

It is important to respect and follow all laws in the United States, whether they are local rules, state laws, or federal nationwide laws. This civic duty includes everything from driving safely to paying your taxes.

Following U.S. laws helps our community work together to ensure everyone’s safety and well-being. See this list of important U.S. laws you should know. 

3. Vote in elections 

Voting is one of the most important rights and responsibilities that citizens have. Only U.S. citizens can vote in federal elections. In most states and local elections, you also have to be a citizen to vote.

You are not required to vote but it is highly encouraged. Voting for government officials and laws is a way to voice your opinions about issues you care about. 

Read a guide to voting for immigrants.  

4. Register for the Selective Service

All men living in the USA, who are between 18 and 25, are required by law to register with the Selective Service System . This registration is not a commitment to serve in the military but a way to make sure you are counted in case of an emergency and there is a national draft. 

Registering is important for eligibility for certain government benefits and programs. U.S. citizens must register within a month of turning 18. Male immigrants 18 to 25 must register within 30 days of arriving in the United States.

You can also choose to serve in the military but it is not required.

5. Serve on a jury

If you are a U.S. citizen 18 or older, you may be called to do jury duty. A jury is a group of people who look at facts and make decisions in a court case. Only U.S. citizens can be part of a jury. 

If you are chosen for jury duty, you must go to your local court. The judge and lawyer will ask you questions to see if you are a good fit for the jury. Depending on the case, you may need to commit to being on the jury for a specific amount of time.

Get more information about jury service . 

6. Pay taxes 

Everyone must pay federal, state, and local taxes. This is an important civic duty of U.S. citizens and others living in the USA. U.S. citizens have to pay taxes even when living outside the USA. Taxes help pay for government programs, including schools, hospitals, and public benefits. 

Find out more about paying income taxes .

7. Get involved in your community 

Being an active participant in your community is rewarding and everyone benefits from it. You can join neighborhood groups, go to local events, and volunteer for causes you care about. 

You can help those in need of support and build a safer, thriving community. Finding ways to help your community is a good way to make friends and feel connected. 

Read about ways to give back to your community. 

8. Stay informed 

Knowledge is power. Stay informed about what is happening in your community and country by reading news from reliable sources, attending community meetings, and discussing issues with friends and family. Understanding the issues helps you make better decisions as a citizen.

9. Embrace diversity 

Respecting different beliefs, opinions, and lifestyles makes our community stronger. It is important everyone feels included. Understanding and celebrating our differences is key to building a better society.

Learn more about diversity . 

10. Run for office or support a candidate

Taking an active role in politics is a powerful form of civic engagement. If you are passionate about making a difference, consider running for a local office or supporting a candidate who represents your values and interests. Getting involved in politics is a way to effect change in your community and beyond.

The information on this page comes from USCIS and other trusted sources. We aim to offer easy to understand information that is updated regularly. This information is not legal advice.

More from USAHello

Looking for specific information?

10 benefits of U.S. citizenship

How to vote

How to file income tax

Volunteering and internships

Important U.S. laws

Your immigration rights

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Essential Learning Outcomes: Civic Responsibility

• Civic Responsibility
• Critical/Creative Thinking
• Cultural Sensitivity
• Information Literacy
• Oral Communication
• Quantitative Reasoning
• Written Communication
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Description

Guide to Civic Responsibility

Intended Learning Outcome:

Analyze the results of actions and inactions with the likely effects on the larger local and/or global communities.

Assessment may include but in not limited to the following criteria and intended outcomes:

Analyzes community needs within appropriate context

• Identifies and analyzes characteristics of a community and its members
• Identifies and analyzes the various contexts of a given community
• Analyzes past community needs based on historical context to inform current or future needs
• Analyzes present or future community needs based on understanding the contexts of that community

Identifies and analyzes impacts on community

• Identifies how choices impact local or global communities
• Analyzes how individuals can affect local or global communities in positive/negative ways
• Analyzes how one's own choices can affect local or global communities in positive/negative ways

Connects knowledge to make an informed decision on community issues

• Connects learning to make informed decisions
• Applies learning to solve community problems/issues
• Uses specific examples and experiences to demonstrate an understanding of community issues

How to Align - Civic Responsibility Assignment

• Civic Responsibility ELO Tutorial

Civic Responsibility Rubric

Analyze the results of action and inactions with the likely effects on the larger local and/or global communities.

Sample Assignments

• Field Analysis This assignment was developed by faculty at the American Public University The purpose of this assessment is for students to understand themselves as actors in their society by considering the role they play in their families, workplaces, communities, campuses, and other social contexts.
• HUM 1020 Aristotle Politics Discussion Questions Assignment contributed by Brad Lipinski.

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• Last Updated: Jan 8, 2024 12:20 PM
• URL: https://libguides.tri-c.edu/Essential

Citizenship & Participation

Students will learn what it means to be a U.S. citizen and how citizenship is obtained. They will compare and contrast personal and political rights with social responsibilities and personal duties. Students will explore global citizenship, and the rights and responsibilities of citizens in other countries. They will also learn about community engagement by selecting a problem of their own and creating a plan to solve it.

Topics at a Glance: citizenship | civil liberties | civil rights | immigration | naturalization | citizen participation | civic engagement | global citizenship | duties of a U.S. citizen | rights and responsibilities of citizens | involuntary and voluntary participation in civic life | U.S. census | D.C. voting rights

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How to read the Roadmap

Start here if you are coming to the Roadmap for the first time.

The 7 Themes

Explore our framework for civics and history education.

The 5 Design Challenges

Embrace the complexity of curricular design.

Implementing the Roadmap in your classroom

Design robust curricula tailored to your students. 

• by grade level
• by driving question
• by resource type
• Take Action
• Download Report & Roadmap

Interactive Roadmap

• Learn to read the roadmap

The Seven Themes

The five design challenges.

• Educator Resources
• Design Challenge Art Contest
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Home » The Roadmap » The Seven Themes

The Roadmap

The aim of the Roadmap is to provide guidance that shifts content and instruction from breadth to depth by offering an inquiry framework that weaves history and civics together and inspires students to learn by asking difficult questions, then seeking answers in the classroom through facts and discussion for a truly national and cross-state conversation about civics and history to invigorate classrooms with engaging and relatable questions.

The Seven Content Themes map out the disciplinary and conceptual terrain, as well as the skills and dispositional learning needed to support healthy civic participation.

The Five Design Challenges span the seven themes and state honestly and transparently some of the rich dilemmas that educators will encounter as they work with the content themes and instructional guidance.

• The Seven Themes ?
• The Five Design Challenges ?

Civic Participation

Our changing landscapes, we the people, a new government & constitution, institutional & social transformation, a people in the world, contemporary debates & possibilities.

This theme explores the relationship between self-government and civic participation, drawing on the discipline of history to explore how citizens’ active engagement has mattered for American society and on the discipline of civics to explore the principles, values, habits, and skills that support productive engagement in a healthy, resilient constitutional democracy.

This theme focuses attention on the overarching goal of engaging young people as civic participants and preparing them to assume that role successfully.

Overarching Thematic Questions

• How have Americans come together in groups, made decisions, and affected their communities, the country, and the world?
• How can that history inform our civic participation today?
• What are the responsibilities and opportunities of citizenship and civic agency in America’s constitutional democracy?
• How can I participate?

Key Concepts and Questions by Grade

Key concepts.

• Learn and evaluate the characteristics of leadership
• Define components of a healthy community and the rights and responsibilities of community members
• Participate in a community through building relationships, making change, and problem-solving
• Learn about civic friendship and the benefit of compromise
• Develop media literacy skills to evaluate evidence and weigh claims

History Driving Questions

History sample guiding questions, civic driving questions, civic sample guiding questions, explore resources.

Introducing kindergarteners to their new classroom community

Inquiring Minds Institute

Katharina Matro, a high school social studies teacher who grew up in Germany, explains how consistent and open education about the Holocaust has shaped her own commitment to democracy and her love of country. Matro also serves as a member of the Teaching Division of the American Historical Association's governing council.

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In this learning resources, students will delve into the women's suffrage movement and use different historical accounts to understand the ratification of the 19th Amendment. Students will also consider which groups were left out of the suffrage movement and the importance of voting patterns today.

New American History

Children often lack knowledge and skills necessary to interact with each other, especially when confronted with differences in mobility, hearing, sight, developmental skills or verbal skills.

Learning for Justice

This learning resources focuses on the Polio vaccination in the 1940s and 1950s and the problems this epidemic posed to public health. Students will also compare this to the current global pandemic and the debates around the COVID-19 vaccine.

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• Analyze strategies and examples of civic participation, including instances of participation by those without full political rights
• Engage as active community members and examine the tensions between personal interests and civic responsibilities
• Build civic friendship through informed civil dialogue and productive disagreement
• Analyze the past and present role of the media in shaping civic participation, including the importance of using credible sources

This lesson provides students with a variety of materials to learn about the polio epidemic and it has them draw connections between that event and the current pandemic.

iCivics, Inc.

From telegraphs to television to Twitter, how, why, and when presidents address the nation and global community has changed across U.S. history. This lesson examines the messages and mediums used by presidents and asks students to engage in point of view and change over time analyses as part of their evaluation.

National Endowment for the Humanities

This activity and resource collection guides students through answering a document-based question about the March on Washington. Using 6 supporting documents/images and a page of historical background, students answer the question, "Is the March on Washington evidence of the power of grassroots organizing or of charismatic leadership?"

Smithsonian National Museum of American History

This inquiry leads students through an investigation of political issues and political parties. By exploring the compelling question about how well political parties represent individuals, students consider their own political ideology as a lens for learning about the extent to which political parties address international and domestic issues.

C3 Teachers

This theme begins from the recognition that American civic experience is tied to a particular place, and explores the history of how the United States has come to develop the physical and geographical shape it has, the complex experiences of harm and benefit which that history has delivered to different portions of the American population, and the civics questions of how political communities form in the first place, become connected to specific places, and develop membership rules.

The theme also takes up the question of our contemporary responsibility to the natural world.

• How has our geographic, social, economic, and political landscape changed over time?
• How has the land we inhabit—from our local community to states and territories to the American republic—changed over time, and how have we shaped it?
• What different perspectives are there on those changes (see History Thematic Question), and on the benefits and costs of those changes?
• What principles and values do Americans invoke in our debates about these issues?
• Examine personal, familial, and societal connections between people, place, and history
• Understand personal connections to the values and norms that define various political communities
• Understand Indigenous histories and community connections to land
• Examine how land and people shape each other

Too often we look back at the way people lived and evaluate the past in terms of the technology that dominates our lives today. We ask: Imagine life without automobiles or electric lights or running water. No refrigerators, washing machines, radio, television, or movies? No computers, CDs, cell phones or credit cards? How did they survive? If that is how you want to approach the past, ask yourself this: what invention do we not have that will make Iowans of the future look back and wonder how made it through the day?

State Historical Society of Iowa

In this lesson, students practice their sourcing, corroboration and close reading skills by examining two diary entries of Spanish explorers involved in the Portola Expedition. Students are asked to consider the relative strengths and weaknesses in using these diary accounts to understand the purpose of the expedition and life for Native Americans across California in the 18th century.

Standford History Education Group

The physical landscape shapes the food people eat, the homes they build, the way they move around and the environment they live in. Students will investigate environmental history, which involves understanding relationships — and sometimes trade-offs — people make with the landscapes around them. Students also will use the perspectives of a historian, economist, geographer and political scientist to analyze images and documents.

In this learning resource, students will engage with the different histories of Fort Monroe in Hampton Virginia. Students will interpret the multiple historical events that occurred at Fort Monroe, starting with the arrival of the first enslaved Africans to North America to its formation as a safe haven for enslaved people during the Civil War.

This is a fourth grade resource that guides students through the diverse experiences of immigrants that traveled to New York in the mid-nineteenth and early twentieth century. Students will use primary sources to form an argument to answer the question: Did the American Dream come true for immigrants in New York?

This lesson plan examines the life of Catharine Paine Blaine, missionary, schoolteacher, and women’s rights activist who traveled from Seneca Falls, New York to Washington Territory in the 1850s. Students will examine primary sources and make connections to their own experiences, mapping the route that the Blaines took to reach Seattle from Seneca Falls.

Washington State Historical Society

• Examine how borders change over time and the consequences of U.S. territorial expansion
• Compare and contrast the characteristics of political communities and societies (e.g., laws, religions, rights, economic structures, cultural norms)
• Analyze Indigenous understandings of land stewardship, economic activity, property, and prosperity
• Analyze the impact of people, policy, and cultural norms on landscape and climate

In this lesson, students will analyze the visual and literary visions of the New World that were created in England during the early phases of colonization, and the impact they had on the development of the patterns of colonization that dominated the early 17th century. This lesson will enable students to interact with written and visual accounts of this critical formative period at the end of the 16th century, when the English view of the New World was being formulated, with consequences that we are still seeing today.

This unit looks at migration patterns in the United States in from the 18th century through the 20th century. Students will look at the interactions between Native people and European settlers in the cessions of Indigenous lands. They will also engage with the forced migration of enslaved people into the South.

This learning resource uses geospatial technology to investigate how products and resources in the thirteen colonies depended on location. Students will also use the geospatial resource to follow the population growth of the thirteen colonies throughout the 1700s.

This theme explores the idea of “the people” as a political concept--not just a group of people who share a landscape but a group of people who share political ideals and institutions. The theme explores the history of how the contemporary American people has taken shape as a political body and builds civic understanding about how political institutions and shared ideals can work to connect a diverse population to shared processes of societal decision-making.

The theme also explores the challenge of e pluribus unum: forging one political people out of diverse experiences.

• Who are “We the People of the United States” and how has the nation’s population changed over time?
• What does our history reveal about the aspirations and tensions captured by the motto E pluribus unum?
• Why does constitutional democracy depend on the idea of “the people”?
• What values, virtues, and principles can knit together “We, the People” of the United States of America?
• Explore the diversity that makes up the American community
• Discuss why we have government, and explore the relationship between people and their government
• Examine definitions of citizenship
• Explore the history of inclusion and exclusion of “the people” and access to citizenship
• Learn about the conflicts and histories of oppression and power, and explore constructive ways to discuss hard histories

Students will explore what it means to be responsible in a variety of settings. These lessons will focus on how to be responsible at home, in school, in the community and in the world. Students also will work together to establish classroom/school rules and determine how to be a responsible citizen to improve their community.

A primary source set guiding students in exploring their identities.

This learning resource investigates Harriet Tubman's life and legacy through historical documents and media. Students will compare the history told in textbooks to the reality of Tubman's incredible resistance as an abolitionist.

• Explore what it means to say that “the people” rule in a constitutional democracy
• Cultivate understanding of personal values, principles, commitments, and community responsibilities
• Explore the challenges and opportunities of pluralism, diversity, and unity within the U.S. and abroad
• Examine the values, civic virtues, principles, and role of the people in creating good governance at various levels
• Analyze the impact of enslavement, Indigenous removal, immigration, and other hard histories on definitions of and pathways to citizenship
• Explore the causes and consequences of different groups’ marginalization from participation in the polity
• Evaluate the extent to which marginalized groups have won incorporation into “the people” and advanced the shared values and principles of the U.S.

Students will learn about the history of the holiday of Juneteenth, analyze text sources that reveal important symbolism and rituals in Juneteenth commemorations, and reflect upon the significance of Juneteenth as an American holiday.

The Choices Program

The African-American Civil Rights movement is typically seen as having taken place mostly in the 1950s and 60s, when a confluence of social and economic factors enabled political change. The movement, however, has much deeper roots, and thus our toolkit starts in the 19th Century, some two generations before leaders like King, Parks, and others were born. Viewing the Civil Rights movement as a generational one provides a broader perspective on the ideas and people at the foundation of this work to achieve “a more perfect union” for all Americans.

Ashbrook/TeachingAmericanHistory

We’re collecting New Deal Curricula for High School and College courses. Please contact us if you would like to contribute to our collection. We would like to help disseminate curricula and teaching aids across the country.

Living New Deal

This theme explores the institutional history of the United States as well as the theoretical underpinnings of constitutional design.

• How did the U.S. government form and how have civic participants changed its shape over time?
• What is a constitution and what is its purpose?
• What is power?
• What are rights (natural rights, human rights, civil rights, etc.)?
• What is law?
• What is constitutional democracy?
• Explore the experiences and interests of various groups before and during the American colonial period
• Analyze arguments for and against U.S. independence from Great Britain
• Examine the principles/purpose of constitutional democracy and the extent to which U.S. constitutional democracy has lived up to those principles
• Explore concepts of fairness, unfairness, freedom, and equality in classrooms, communities, and governments.
• Explore why the U.S. form of government is so complex, embracing several levels and parts of government

In this lesson, students will learn about the judicial branch and legal processes in the court room. Students will also engage in a mock trial using contentious issues in the classroom.

National Constitution Center

This lesson builds on previous lesson, continuing to develop the students’ understanding of the Constitution by examining the Bill of Rights. The narrative provides an historical background for the writing of the first ten amendments, as well as the reasons why each amendment was seen as crucial to the states accepting the Constitution.

This lesson will help students understand why the Founders thought a republican form of government was best. Students will also learn about civic virtue and the common welfare.

Center for Civic Education

Using the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul as a landmark, students will analyze the structure as the primary source for learning about its significance. The lesson will combine writing, art, and historical context.

Historical Society of Pennsylvania

In this lesson, students will examine some of the fundamental ideas about government that are contained in the Declaration of Independence and the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution. When they have completed this lesson, students should be able to explain those ideas and identify which ideas the class holds in common.

• Analyze the ideas and debates about rights, power, civic participation, and decision-making that shaped the Revolution and the framing of the Constitution
• Evaluate the changing relationship between the U.S. Constitution and treaties with Indigenous nations
• Explore past and present efforts to adapt and redesign the U.S. Constitution and political institutions over time
• Explore the relationships between equality, equity, justice, freedom, and order in American constitutional democracy
• Develop an understanding of the purpose, processes, strengths, and weaknesses of U.S. government and politics
• Analyze the role of groups without formal decision-making power in influencing change in the U.S. government

This lesson outlines a role-playing activity intended to help students better understand the perspectives of individual delegates at the critical point when they were debating representation at the Constitutional Convention.

George Washington's Mount Vernon

A lesson plan that facilitates discussion amongst students about the challenges George Washington faced as the first President of the United States.

Students will investigate the powers of the Presidency in the Constitution, as outlined in the "Federalist Papers".

In this lesson, students learn about the landmark Supreme Court case Marbury v. Madison and its lasting ramifications for judicial review by analyzing and discussing segments of John Marshall's opinion.

Students will be able to identify and explain aspects of the Equal Rights Amendment debate including various legal and societal considerations.

C-SPAN Television Networks/C-SPAN Classroom

Institutional & social transformation - a series of refoundings.

This theme explores how social arrangements and conflicts have combined with political institutions to shape American life from the earliest colonial period to the present, investigates which moments of change have most defined the country, and builds understanding of how American political institutions and society changes.

• Is the American Revolution ongoing?
• How and why has the United States transformed its basic political, legal, economic, and social arrangements over time?
• How do you evaluate when changes are significant enough to count as a refounding?
• What is a just society?
• How do laws and social structures change?
• How can the Constitution be changed formally and informally? (and how can your state constitution or other charter be changed?)
• What political and economic ideas have contributed to these changes?
• Analyze why and how communities change and the causes and consequences of conflict.
• Examine people's role in social & institutional transformation
• Examine the institutional and extra-institutional strategies that people have used to make changes to society
• Explore the impact of American pluralism and unity on rules and institutions

An inspiring story about a black, female journalist breaking barriers while seeking truth, justice and equality. This book highlights Ethel's journey from young journalist to White House correspondant, and her legacy of asking the tough questions that mattered most in the fight for Civil Rights.

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

• Explore the extent to which the U.S. has made progress in expanding rights and legal statuses for various groups over time, including changes to the Constitution and other charters
• Examine the historic and current relationships between formal politics and social movements, including the relationships between political, economic, and civil rights
• Evaluate specific moments of change as examples of refounding the United States
• Explore formal and informal revisions to America’s constitutional system, and the sources of such changes

This lesson plan attempts to dissolve the artificial boundary between domestic and international affairs in the postwar period to show students how we choose to discuss history. Students will examine a variety of primary source documents used inside the United States and abroad during the Cold War and the concurrent civil rights movement, to see how these documents can be used as evidence for both Cold War and civil rights issues in several different ways.

This online presentation highlights the fight over a woman’s right to vote by illustrating the arguments made by suffragists and their opponents.

Massachusetts Historical Society

This theme explores the place of the U.S. and the American people in a global context, investigating key historical events in international affairs,and building understanding of the principles, values, and laws at stake in debates about America’s role in the world.

• What does it mean to be a nation among nations?
• How has the United States dealt with different types of external relationships (conflictual and cooperative) across its history?
• What is our influence in the world—diplomatic, economic, military, and cultural—and how has the wider world shaped the United States?
• How do American constitutional principles influence the conduct of foreign policy?
• How has United States foreign policy changed across our history?
• How was the role of the executive branch changed across our history?
• Examine the causes and consequences of U.S. cooperation and conflict with other nations (past and present)
• Develop capacity to see international conflicts and their consequences from multiple perspectives
• Analyze various strategies for working with or against other nations (e.g., international orgs, military intervention, diplomacy)

This primary source set can be used in conjunction with other secondary sources to gain a complete picture of Japan’s attack at Pearl Harbor and the immediate response of American sailors, airmen, divers, and nurses.

Emerging America - Collaborative for Educational Services

In this lesson, students analyze primary source archival footage to explore the politics of the atomic bomb and the policy of containment, propagated paranoia related to the spread of communism, the nuclear arms race and détente, as well as the fall of the Berlin Wall and decline of the USSR.

Texas Archive of the Moving Image

This unit plan highlights how patterns of immigration are both similar and different for immigrant groups coming to America, using a diagram and PowerPoint Presentation that details the progression of the immigrant experience that serves as a model for a variety of immigrant groups. Included in the set is a Universal Design for Learning chart and an extensive annotated list of primary source documents from the Library of Congress provide a visual reinforcement of the immigrant journey both before, during, and after their arrival in the United States.

• Analyze various strategies for working with or against other nations (e.g., international agreements, diplomacy, international trade, protectionism, war)
• Examine the roles of national interest, human rights, and notions of justice when countries interact
• Explore how the U.S. has acquired and used its power and influence in the world, both positively and negatively
• Analyze how America’s founding principles and constitutional structures, and revisions to these over time, shape foreign policy
• Develop understanding of contemporary debates about how the U.S. should exercise its power and influence around the world and balance domestic and international interests

In this lesson, students will investigate the the confluence of factors, including the quickening pace of industrialization, urbanization, increasing immigration, and a growing presence on the world stage that faced America in the late 19th Century. These pressures gave rise to various political movements, each seeking to provide answers to the most serious questions of the day. Overall, Americans found answers to these issues in the ideas of the Progressives. From both major political parties, the Progressives offered solutions to economic, social, and political problems, in some ways using and in others changing the American system of government that had existed for a century at that point.

Through the use of primary and secondary sources, students will understand the impact that World War I had on Arkansas.

Arkansas Digital Archives

In this lesson, students learn about the events surrounding the Gulf of Tonkin incident in 1964, simulate the Senate's debate about the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, and ultimately consider overarching questions about presidential power and decision-making in American foreign affairs.

A People with Contemporary Debates & Possibilities

This theme explores the contemporary terrain of civic participation and civic agency, investigating how historical narratives shape current political arguments, how values and information shape policy arguments, and how the American people continues to renew or remake itself in pursuit of fulfillment of the promise of constitutional democracy.

• How does knowledge of the American past—including of our constitutional forms and principles, as amended—help us to think about important political and economic debates today, including climate change and conservation, mass incarceration, individual rights and liberties, property and taxation, societal health and order, and political polarization?
• What are key current events and policy debates in our constitutional democracy?
• What values and principles underpin different positions on them? How do people engage with issues they care about?
• How can we ensure our sources of information about these questions are accurate and fair? What effects can misinformation have on contemporary debates?
• Explore elections and understand the reasons why individuals run for office
• Understand contemporary debates around the purpose and role of government and civic participation, including voting
• Explore debates and perspectives on how we tell our personal, community, and national histories and why they are important
• Analyze the relationship between individual perspectives and public debates
• Explore the relationships between hard histories and contemporary debates
• Cultivate an understanding of personal interests, motivations, and decisions as civic agents
• Build strategies for learning about current events, issues, and debates
• Explore the role of bias, truth, and the media in becoming informed civic participants
• Understand how fundamental American principles—and continuing debates about them—shape current policy debates

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99+ Innovative Civics Project Ideas for School Students

Did you know that only 24% of American eighth-graders scored proficient or above in civics on the National Assessment of Educational Progress in 2018? This statistic underscores the urgent need for effective civics education initiatives in schools. 

In this blog, we delve into the critical role of civics project ideas in shaping informed and engaged citizens among school students. 

We’ll explore why civics education goes beyond textbooks and classroom lectures and how hands-on projects offer invaluable opportunities for students to apply their knowledge, develop critical thinking skills, and actively participate in their communities. 

From mock trials to community service campaigns, we’ll present a range of exciting project ideas tailored to inspire and empower students. Get ready to embark on a journey of civic discovery and empowerment!

What is the Civics Project?

Table of Contents

A civics project is an educational activity that helps students learn about government, politics, and citizenship by engaging them in hands-on experiences. These projects can take many forms, such as creating mock governments, organizing community service events, participating in debates or simulations, conducting research on social issues, or even meeting with local officials. 

However, the goal of civics projects is to deepen students’ understanding of how their government works, encourage critical thinking about societal issues, and foster a sense of civic responsibility and engagement among young people.

List of Civics Project Ideas for School Students

Here’s a diverse list of civics project ideas for elementary, middle and high school students:

Mock Government Simulations

• Mock Presidential Election
• Model United Nations Conference
• Mock Trial: Famous Court Cases
• City Council Simulation
• State Legislature Simulation
• Constitutional Convention Simulation
• Mock Press Conference
• Mock Town Hall Meeting
• Simulated Congressional Debate
• Supreme Court Case Study and Debate

Community Service Projects

• Park Cleanup Day
• Food Drive for Local Food Bank
• Senior Citizen Outreach Program
• Environmental Conservation Project
• Homeless Shelter Volunteer Day
• Animal Shelter Adoption Event
• Neighborhood Beautification Project
• School Garden Initiative
• Literacy Program for Underprivileged Children
• Community Health Fair

Political Campaign Activities

• Create a Campaign Ad Campaign
• Voter Registration Drive
• Candidate Debate or Forum
• Door-to-Door Canvassing
• Campaign Fundraiser Event
• Phone Banking for a Political Campaign
• Social Media Campaign for a Cause
• Grassroots Organizing Campaign
• Campaign Speech Competition
• Mock Campaign Simulation

Civic Education Initiatives

• Create a Civics Education Curriculum for Elementary Students
• Civics Trivia Challenge
• Public Awareness Campaign on Voting Rights
• Civics Education Workshop Series
• School-wide Civics Fair
• Civic Engagement Essay Contest
• Civics Podcast Series
• Create Educational Civics Videos
• Interactive Civics Website for Students
• Host Civics Guest Speakers

Legislative Advocacy Projects

• Write Letters to Elected Officials on Community Issues
• Petition Drive for a Local Cause
• Lobby Day at the State Capitol
• Drafting a Model Legislation
• Town Hall Meeting with Legislators
• Advocacy Rally for a Social Justice Issue
• Advocate for Policy Changes in School Rules
• Voter Education Campaign
• Community Meeting with Local Policymakers
• Legislative Simulation Game

Global Citizenship Initiatives

• Fundraising for International Relief Organizations
• Cultural Exchange Program with Schools Abroad
• International Pen Pal Program
• Model European Union Conference
• United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Awareness Campaign
• Refugee Support Project
• Global Environmental Awareness Day
• International Human Rights Awareness Campaign
• Global Health Initiative
• International Service Learning Trip

Civic Technology Projects

• Create a Civic Engagement App
• Online Voter Registration Platform
• Social Media Campaign Tracker
• Local Government Transparency Website
• Civic Education Game
• Community Issue Reporting App
• Legislative Tracking Tool
• Digital Petition Platform
• Civic Crowdsourcing Project
• Civic Hackathon Event

Civic Arts and Media Projects

• Civic-themed Art Exhibition
• Public Service Announcement Video Campaign
• Community Mural Project
• Political Cartoon Contest
• Civic Documentary Film Project
• Community Newspaper or Newsletter
• Create a Civics-themed Podcast Series
• Youth Radio Show on Civic Issues
• Civic Theater Production
• Civic-themed Photography Contest

Constitution and Bill of Rights Projects

• Create a Bill of Rights Display
• Debate on Constitutional Amendments
• Bill of Rights Poster Contest
• Constitution Trivia Game
• Constitutional Convention Reenactment
• Create a Constitution Study Guide
• Constitutional Amendments Debate
• Bill of Rights Art Project
• Constitution Day Celebration Event
• Create a Pocket Constitution Booklet

Civic Engagement Through Sports and Recreation

• Charity Sports Tournament
• Sports Equipment Drive for Underprivileged Youth
• Community Sports League for All Ages
• Sports Clinic for Children with Disabilities
• Charity Walk/Run for a Cause
• Field Day for Community Bonding
• Youth Leadership Through Sports Program
• Sports Equipment Recycling Program
• Adaptive Sports Program for Special Needs Individuals
• Sports Mentorship Program for At-Risk Youth

These project ideas cover a wide range of topics and approaches, allowing students to explore their interests and make a positive impact in their communities and beyond.

Benefits of Civics Project Ideas for School Students

Engaging in civics project ideas can offer numerous benefits for school students, including:

• Hands-on Learning: Civics projects offer practical, experiential learning opportunities that deepen understanding.
• Civic Engagement: Projects foster active participation in civic life, instilling a sense of responsibility and empowerment.
• Critical Thinking: Students develop analytical skills by tackling real-world issues and evaluating diverse perspectives.
• Community Connection: Projects encourage collaboration and interaction with community members, strengthening ties.
• Empathy and Understanding: Students gain empathy by engaging with diverse communities and learning about societal challenges.
• Leadership Development: Projects provide avenues for students to take initiative, lead, and effect positive change.
• Citizenship Skills: Students learn about democratic processes, rights, and responsibilities, preparing them to be informed citizens.
• Lifelong Impact: Civics projects cultivate a lifelong commitment to civic engagement and social responsibility.

Practical Tips for Planning and Implementing Civics Projects

Planning and implementing civics projects requires careful consideration and organization to ensure success. Here are some practical tips to help you plan and execute civics projects effectively:

• Define Clear Objectives: Clearly outline the goals and learning outcomes of the project.
• Engage Students: Involve students in project planning to foster ownership and enthusiasm.
• Incorporate Real-World Relevance: Choose topics and activities that relate to students’ lives and communities.
• Provide Resources: Ensure access to relevant materials, information, and support throughout the project.
• Foster Collaboration: Encourage teamwork and cooperation among students, teachers, and community partners.
• Reflect and Evaluate: Regularly assess progress and outcomes to adapt and improve project implementation.

Challenges and Solutions In Civics Projects From Students’ Prospective

Here are some common challenges that students may encounter in civics projects, along with potential solutions:

• Lack of Interest: Some students may find civics projects unengaging or irrelevant to their lives.
• Time Constraints: Balancing civics projects with other academic and extracurricular commitments can be challenging.
• Limited Resources: Access to materials, technology, and community support may vary, impacting project quality.
• Complex Issues: Addressing societal issues like politics or social justice can be daunting and overwhelming for students.
• Group Dynamics: Conflicts or unequal participation within student groups can hinder project progress.
• Relevance: Connect projects to students’ interests and experiences to increase engagement.
• Time Management: Break down tasks into manageable steps and provide flexible timelines.
• Resource Accessibility: Seek alternative resources and collaborate with community partners to bridge gaps.
• Simplification: Break down complex issues into smaller, digestible components for better understanding.
• Team Building: Facilitate communication and teamwork skills through icebreakers and group activities.

Final Thoughts

Civics project ideas offer invaluable opportunities for students to actively engage with their communities, deepen their understanding of civic responsibility, and cultivate essential skills for informed citizenship. 

Through hands-on learning experiences, students tackle not only real-world challenges but also develop critical thinking, empathy, and leadership abilities. Despite facing challenges such as resource constraints and varying levels of interest, the benefits of civics projects far outweigh the obstacles. 

By implementing practical solutions and fostering a culture of civic engagement, schools can empower students to become active participants in shaping a better, more equitable society for all.

1. What is an example of a civics project?

An example of a civics project is organizing a voter registration drive in the local community. Students can work together to educate eligible voters, distribute registration forms, and encourage civic participation.

2. What age group is suitable for participating in civics projects?

Civics projects can be tailored to various age groups, ranging from elementary school to high school students. The complexity and scope of the projects may vary depending on the student’s developmental stage and academic level.

3. How can teachers integrate civics projects into their curriculum?

Teachers can integrate civics projects into their curriculum by aligning them with educational standards, identifying relevant topics, and incorporating hands-on activities, research assignments, or community engagement opportunities. They can also collaborate with other educators and community partners to enhance the learning experience.

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18 Examples of Civic Engagement Activities

While voting and census participation are the two activities that tend to come to people’s minds when thinking of civic engagement, there are infinite ways for people to get involved.

The term civic engagement doesn’t have a standard definition and it could be applied to a range of activities. Examples include local clean-ups, tutoring, donating blood, membership in community associations, voting, census participation, writing lawmakers, protests, and civil disobedience.

In other posts, Street Civics has more narrowly defined civic engagement but, for this post, the term is used in its broadest sense – participation in community activities and decision-making.

Civic engagement activities could be either political or apolitical. I often get the impression that people sometimes struggle to find apolitical means of engagement. On one hand, there seems to be an endless sea of ways to get involved. On the other hand, it’s difficult to know what’s worth your time and what organizations are trustworthy.

Political participation can also be a bit intimidating upon first glance. However, readers should not feel intimidated by any means of engagement. Every experience is a learning opportunity and people won’t turn away good help (provided said help is not intentionally or unintentionally sabotaging the collective effort). 

The below list of civic engagement activities is divided into six sections with three suggestions each. Five sections are different means of getting involved apolitically (locally, nationally, etc.). The last section is devoted to political means of involvement.

The below suggestions are reputable and impactful means of getting civically engaged. I have personally gotten involved in many of the efforts below and believe in their impact. No matter how one gets involved, though, always do some background reading on the opportunities and sponsoring organization – especially when doing work outside of your community – to make sure the program is legitimately helpful.

Apolitical – Electoral

1. become an election poll volunteer..

Volunteering on election days can be exciting work! Helping make sure every vote gets counted is a noble and nonpartisan way of getting involved. There are typically a few different assignments including early voting workers, polling place workers, technicians, interpreters, and a precinct captain.

The exact roles, eligibility requirements, and pre-training are determined at the state level. In some states, you also may be given a stipend for your work. If you’re interested in volunteering on election day, you can find a link to your state’s or territory’s board of elections in this post . You can also check the national compendium for more information on your state. 

2. Volunteer for National Registration Day.

National Registration Day is a holiday endorsed by a few election agencies and nonprofits to celebrate democracy. The day is used as a catalyst to register voters across the U.S. The efforts supported by volunteers have had tremendous impacts and registered millions of voters. In 2018 alone, the program registered over 800,000 voters.

Volunteering for National Registration Day is usually one of my first suggestions for people looking to get involved in elections. It’s one day a year, and it has a tremendous impact. It’s also a great introduction to the electoral process. You can find out more on their website linked here .

3. Register voters with nonprofits. 

Registering voters is important. So, I’m suggesting two ways to help. While National Registration Day tends to be one of the biggest catalysts for voter registration, there are hundreds (perhaps, thousands) of voter registration campaigns taking place all the time. Many nonprofit organizations have ongoing campaigns dedicated to getting people ready to vote.

If you want to get involved in the electoral process regularly, try looking through HeadCount’s list of nonprofits that do this work. Many of these organizations offer ongoing and flexible opportunities for volunteers.

Apolitical – Local

4. work with youth..

Youth development is something that concerns the whole community. Providing good role models for youth is a critical factor in their success later in life. Not only that but keeping kids in school is one of the best ways to prevent crime in communities.

Supporting the development of youth in your community could take many forms such as coaching sports teams, tutoring, teaching life skills, or providing constructive extracurricular activities. It’s best to check with local schools or search “youth” on Idealist.org for local opportunities.

5. Assist public health efforts and the elderly.

Studies have shown that when healthcare providers and the community engage each other more the whole community becomes healthier. Public health is virtually in perpetual need of more support – both from individuals taking more responsibility for their behavior and through sustained contributions to public health programs.

One of my favorite ways to get involved is by donating blood. It’s a simple process, requiring very little time and effort and will actually save lives! The Red Cross app even updates you when your blood arrives at a hospital to help a patient. How cool is that??? If you can, I strongly recommend giving blood. Who knows, you may end up like James Harrison and end up saving millions of lives!

If you aren’t eligible to give blood or faint at the sight of it but still want to get involved in public health, check out Idealist.org for public health opportunities in your area.

6. Engage local government

While engaging local government may sound a bit dull to some, it’s really not. In fact, engaging with local town halls or hearings can be productive (and sometimes entertaining). Of course, politics can inject high emotions, but getting involved in local decision making with a level head can have important impacts on your everyday life. 

At times, local government decisions can serve as a model that bubbles up to the regional and national levels, making citizen engagement at the local level that much more important. Finding out just how to get involved, though, can be a challenge even in some of the most populated cities. 

I suggest monitoring your local government’s social media and websites for upcoming town halls, meetings, hearings, votes, etc. Keep an eye out for when big decisions are coming up. You don’t have to wait until officials are holding town halls; send them letters and/or organize efforts to demonstrate your opinion anytime decisions are being made and you have an opinion worth sharing.

Apolitical – National

7. join the americorps or seniorcorps..

These two programs are organized through federal agencies but are driven by local needs. AmeriCorps and Senior Corps volunteers find opportunities to serve their communities locally or nationally in a variety of capacities like teaching, community development, and environmental management.

While AmeriCorps is open to people of all ages, Senior Corps is for those 55 and up. Many young professionals volunteer with AmeriCorps to gain strong professional experience while giving back. Senior Corps is a relatively newer program that offers a structured way for seasoned professionals to give back by sharing their deep professional experience. 

Both programs have unique positions available in local communities and all over the country. If you’re interested, you can find out more here .

8. Volunteer with the National Park Service.

If you’re the outdoorsy type and live near a national park, you’ll want to volunteer with the National Park Service (NPS). Volunteers can help keep local parks clean and pure while enjoying their natural beauty. 

Opportunities with the NPS can range from helping with a one-time event to long term positions. Admittedly, this is one of my favorite examples on this list because the opportunities with NPS can take place in truly awe-inspiring national parks. Not only that but if you manage to log 250 hours of volunteer service, you’re able to get the coveted America the Beautiful Pass that allows free entry to ALL national parks!

To find volunteer opportunities with NPS, check here .

9. Support National Nonprofit Organizations.

There is no shortage of nonprofit organizations doing incredible work. No matter what issue you care about there is likely an organization dedicated to promoting it – maybe even lobbying Congress for it as well. Supporting organizations that align with your interests is a great way to invest in the things that matter to you.

Many people never realize that some organizations are working hard on their behalf or in the name of their interests. While the term “lobbying” can sound like a dirty word to some, the activity is an important part of democracy, and many organizations lobby. If there is a particular issue that you care deeply about, you might consider supporting a credible nonprofit organization that represents your values through donations or volunteering your time.

If you’re not familiar with any organizations off the bat, take your time to get to know some before donating. Follow several that seem to represent your values for a few months to get a feel about how they talk about the issues. If it continues to resonate, support them heartedly!

Apolitical – International

10. volunteer with the peace corps..

I completed two assignments with the Peace Corps, and I voluntarily lobby for the National Peace Corps Association once a year. So, I can say with confidence that I would recommend joining the peace corp – to the right the people, that is .

Volunteering abroad is a serious commitment. Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) serve for two years after receiving three months of training. They are often assigned to remote places in the world and live with few amenities. If volunteers are lucky enough to have electricity and running water, other volunteers will mercilessly tease them for being in the “Posh Corps.”

While not for everyone, the Peace Corps is an incredible opportunity to experience life in other countries – not as a tourist, but as a member of the community. For those who truly have a passion to give back and discover the world, consider a more serious path to service. You can find out more here .

11. Become a UN Volunteer.

UN volunteer roles tend to be specialized, professional, and require serious commitment. However, there is a wide range of roles available to volunteers including translation, adminstrative support, human rights advocacy, disease outbreak response, refugee assistance, and much more.

Some of the positions such as translation are available online , others will require volunteers to be in-person. Like the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps, the UN volunteer program is a great way to gain experience professionally while giving back. Qualifications will vary greatly depending on the position, but there are many opportunities. Find out more here .

12. Support international nonprofit organizations.

Just as nonprofit organizations are working at the national level for many interests, many nonprofit organizations are working at the international level as well. Consistently supporting reputable organizations that work on issues you care about is a natural way to get involved at the international level as well.

Many nonprofit organizations also have volunteer abroad programs. HOWEVER, A WORD OF CAUTION. Volunteer abroad programs are notoriously tricky endeavors. For one, working in international development successfully requires extensive planning involving the local community. There are a lot of ways to get international development wrong and there is probably a patron nonprofit for every offense. 

Secondly, volunteer abroad programs have also become cash cows for sketchy and predatory “nonprofits.” Even if the organization you volunteer with is reputable, it doesn’t mean they know what they are doing on the ground in foreign lands. Many well-intentioned church groups have supplied kind-hearted volunteers (and their cash) to sham operations abroad over the years. 

In some cases, it can be extreme and “volunteers” may be unwittingly supporting illicit activity or feeding into local power dynamics. For these reasons, I strongly urge anyone that is considering volunteering abroad to do extensive background research on prospective programs and organizations. 

There are, of course, very trustworthy and worthwhile experiences facilitated by international nonprofits and, if you’re truly considering signing up with one of these organizations I would encourage you to aim for the big names like Doctors Without Borders , Red Cross , and Habitat for Humanity . While big organizations can make mistakes abroad too, they are much less risky than some of the random organizations that pop up on a google search for “volunteer abroad.”

Apolitical – Online

13. help researchers advance science on zooniverse.org..

Zooniverse allows volunteers to help researchers with a wide range of interactive tasks. For instance, researchers often need assistance in pattern recognition; recently, volunteers have been asked to look for wind patterns in thousands of pictures of the surface of Mars. 

The platform is open to researchers from all sorts of fields. So, the tasks for volunteers on Zooniverse can vary greatly. The platform promotes “people-powered research” and is an amazing way for any science geek to give back.

14. Counsel those going through challenging times with the Crisis Text Line.

The Crisis Text Line is exactly what it sounds like and has become an important online resource. The program naturally requires a serious commitment from volunteers given the potential stakes involved. 

Volunteers are first required to undergo 30 hours of training; they are then asked to be logged on for four hours a week until 200 hours are reached. The Crisis Text Line is particularly grateful for the night owls among us as most texts come in between the hours of 7 pm and 3 am. Find out more here .

15. Help the visually impaired complete everyday tasks with Be My Eyes.

Be My Eyes is a revolutionary yet simple idea. Volunteers help the visually impaired complete everyday tasks over video chat. The app has had dramatic impacts on the lives of those with visual impairments. Since it launched, the app has attracted more than 3,000,000 million volunteers to the platform.

To volunteer or request help, you just download the mobile app and wait. You and several other volunteers will receive the same alert when someone needs help. So, if you can’t answer the call, another volunteer in the group can pick up.

16. Volunteer for a party or candidate.

Those who are politically inclined or strong supporters of a candidate may want to consider volunteering for a political party or a specific campaign. Volunteers can get involved in a wide array of tasks and there are jobs even for the more introverted.

As always, political volunteers should be mindful of who they engage with as well as where and how. Volunteers have the biggest impact within their communities and make the biggest impression with face-to-face interaction. Mail works too but, over-the-phone engagement could damage a campaign. 

If you want to know how to volunteer for a party or candidate read our post about it here .

17. Stay engaged with officials at all levels.

Ordinary individuals can make a big difference in the way government runs if they engage thoughtfully and consistently. And, that’s not just empty encouragement; I’ve seen individuals influence government law and policy because they were committed to making a change. 

Make no mistake, it’s not easy to change government institutions as a single individual; it takes time to build relationships and to gain allies. It also requires a commitment to stay up-to-date and to deliver the right messages at the right time. 

If people are truly committed to developing relationships with their elected leaders, they often develop relationships with staff members first. So, start by reaching out to set up a meeting with an official, but don’t be surprised if you’re offered a meeting with a legislative director or assistant. Maintain connections to the office, build support, and work towards higher-level meetings. If you’re new to advocacy, check out our post that includes three things you should know. 

18. Start a movement.

While this might sound bold (or trite depending on your perspective), Street Civics is dedicated to creating resources that help people create social change. In my research, I’ve come across an endless supply of examples of “ordinary” people having extraordinary impacts on the world. 

There are many approaches to social change such as advocacy, grassroots activism, community involvement, community organizing, and more (see below). All are valid approaches and the lines between them are often blurry. Ultimately, the important thing is that people understand they have the power to create the change they seek. For those looking to make a bigger change, see below for additional resources. 

Additional Resources

• Grassroots Activism
• Community Involvement
• Community Organizing

Dan Jasper is the founder and primary author of Street Civics. He specializes in advocacy and international affairs.

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