Students will engage in a project-based learning experience by exploring how citizens can influence government policies to address societal needs. Through collaborative discussions, they will listen to diverse perspectives and brainstorm actionable strategies for civic participation. The session aims to enhance students' critical thinking skills, foster their ability to collaborate productively, and deepen their understanding of government functions while reflecting on their roles as active citizens now and in the future.
Learning goals
Students will analyze and propose improvements to governmental structures and policies, focusing on influencing change in their communities. They will engage with diverse perspectives to evaluate how civic participation shapes public policy, developing strategies for effective contribution. By reflecting on their civic roles, students will deepen their understanding of citizenship now and in adulthood. In collaborative groups, they will create presentations analyzing current societal challenges and proposing viable policy solutions that demonstrate their critical thinking and civic engagement competencies.
Standards
[Colorado] HS.C.2 - Evaluate the purposes, roles, and limitations of the structures and functions of government.
[Colorado] HS.C.3 - Analyze the impact of civic participation on political institutions and public policy.
[Colorado] HS.C.1 - Research and formulate positions on government policies and on local, state, tribal, and national issues to be able to participate and engage in a civil society.
Competencies
Critical Thinker - Thinks deeply and makes informed decisions to create solutions or new understanding supported by relevant and reliable evidence.
Engaged Citizen - Shows respect and empathy across differences, embraces diversity of opinion, seeks cultural understanding, participates in the democratic process to challenge the status quo, and makes a positive impact on their community and the world.
Productive Collaborator - Engages with others to achieve a common goal through building positive relationships, actively listening, showing empathy, and making individual contributions to a larger group.
Products
Students will collaborate on a project to propose a policy change addressing a local issue, culminating in a written policy brief and a class presentation. Initial activities include researching and curating diverse perspectives from community members and stakeholders, followed by a structured debate to refine policy ideas. Throughout the project, students will maintain reflective journals documenting their civic engagement insights and personal growth as active citizens. The final exhibition will be an interactive class forum where students present their proposals, engage in peer feedback, and modify their ideas based on collective input. This hands-on project will be assessed through a combination of the policy brief, presentation delivery, and reflective journal evaluation.
Launch
Begin the project with a "Community Voices Forum" where students listen to pre-recorded interviews or testimonials from local community members who hold diverse perspectives on a current policy issue. Encourage students to take notes and prepare questions for a class discussion to analyze these perspectives critically. This activity sets the stage for understanding different viewpoints and lays the groundwork for collaborative engagement as they explore how they can influence and participate in civic processes.
Exhibition
Students will showcase their learning through a classroom exhibition where they present their group projects addressing how government structures can be improved to meet community needs. Each group will create a visual presentation or interactive display, demonstrating their critical analysis and proposed solutions. Students will engage in discussions with peers, emphasizing the role of civic participation in policymaking and reflecting on their own civic engagement plans.