Project Citizen, a program co-sponsored by the Center for Civic Education, is a unique curriculum for upper elementary, middle and high school students, designed to promote responsible participation in local and state government.

Students work together to identify a public policy issue in their community and develop an action plan for local government leaders to use in addressing the issue. The work culminates with a class portfolio that can be part of a state and national showcase. Some truly remarkable projects leading to real change have come from this program.

See below for more information about:

 

RESOURCES & EXAMPLE PROJECTS

For a great overview of the Project Citizen program, download the Project Citizen Supplemental Resource Packet.

Click here to see an interactive example of a quality portfolio.

 

PROJECT CITIZEN & MOCK TRIAL WORKSHOP

Who: Teachers grades 5-12 (all subject areas)

High School Teachers: Project Citizen provides a great template for Senior Project-type activities!

Teacher teams – any combination of social studies, language arts, math, and science – are urged to attend.

When: Saturday, April 20, 2013, 9:00am-4:00pm

Where: Eastern Oregon University, LaGrande

What:  This workshop will feature two of Classroom Law Project’s top programs, Project Citizen and Mock Trial. Both can be done in upper elementary through high school, and both teach the skills found in the Common Core State Standards.  Project Citizen is an interdisciplinary curriculum designed to teach responsible participation in local and state government. Students work cooperatively to identify a public policy problem in their community, evaluate possible solutions and develop and action plan for local government leaders to use in addressing the problem. Through Mock Trial, students work together on a hypothetical case. They develop and sharpen critical analysis, public speaking, and interpersonal skills. Whether they take on the role of attorney, witness, clerk, or bailiff, students become more poised and self-confident–and they learn about the U.S. justice system in the process.

Cost: $25 non-refundable reservation fee

Incentives: $125 Stipend for participating teachers

Travel Stipend: $50 if traveling at least 150 miles roundtrip

  • Professional Development Units (6 hours)
  • Continental breakfast and lunch provided
  • 0.5 Continuing Education Credit from Lewis & Clark College (optional, paid separately)
  • Opportunity to participate in the Oregon Project Citizen Showcase at the State Capitol on May 23 (travel support available)

Registration

Fill out my online form.
 

PROJECT CITIZEN SHOWCASE AT THE CAPITOL

In May 23, 2013, 5th-12th grade students will convene at the State Capitol in Salem to present Project Citizen simulated congressional hearings to a panel of legislators and civic leaders. Students also have an opportunity to display their class portfolios in the annual Showcase.

Click here for more information about We the People & Project Citizen Days at the Capitol.

 

WHAT STUDENTS SAY ABOUT PROJECT CITIZEN

“In Project Citizen, I have learned that every voice makes a difference and when voices come together, they are strong. PC has taught me that I have a say in things no matter what age I am as long as I stand by my words. It may take an amount of time before you see growth but gradually things change and most times, it is for the better.”  Middle School Student, SW Charter School.

“While we worked on this project, we learned how to find information quickly and find resources and people of authority we could contact for our problem.”  Student, Gilkey International Middle School.

 

CORRELATION TO OREGON STATE STANDARDS

Here the Project Citizen program is correlated to Oregon State Standards in Reading, Writing, and Social Science!  Click the link below for your appropriate grade level:

 

DISTRICT COORDINATORS

 

To learn more about the programs for grades 5-12, workshops, showcases, how to get free books, or report your portfolios, contact your district coordinator.