Civics and Political Science Senior Project Guide

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Overview

Georgia 4-H Project Achievement empowers young people with skills for a lifetime. Through a competitive process, students explore their interests, unleash their creativity, share their work, and celebrate their achievements! This guide provides 9th—12th graders with examples for getting started with their project exploration.

Overview of Project Achievement Process

1) Choose project
2) Develop skills in leadership and service
3) Prepare portfolio for work completed from January 1 – December 31
4) Prepare presentation
5) Practice
6) Compete
7) Reflect

Description of Civics and Political Science Project

4-H’ers may explore government, non-profit, and civic organizations domestically and internationally. Through this project, 4-H’ers may:

• Learn about various non-profit organizations and civic organizations that improve a society.
• Explore the branches of government.
• Understand the structure of governments, non-profits, and civic organizations and how they interact with each other.
• Explore the roles of local elected officials and community leaders and meet them.
• Discover how boards and commissions function.
• Explore how government, non-profit agencies, and civic organizations are funded.
• Understand the electoral process for each level of government.
• Explore how policies and laws are formed and implemented.
• Learn about rights, civic responsibilities, and active participation in a society

Examples of Project Development Experiences

• Study non-profit, civic organizations, and/or government structures
• Investigate how boards and commissions function
• Take a class from a professional and/or attend a workshop about non-profits, civic organizations, and government
• Learn about parliamentary procedure
• Attend County Commissioners, City Council, or Board of Education meetings
• Run for class office and/or 4-H county council and document lessons learned
• Interview elected officials, non-profit organizations’ boards or personnel, and/or civic leaders
• Research budgets and funding sources for government, non-profit agencies, and civic organizations
• Investigate opportunities through the UGA School of Public and International Affairs

Project Sharing and Helping Examples

• Start a project club and lead others in Civics and Political Science
• Set up tours for youth to explore local non-profit, civic, and government entities.
• Work with local Extension professionals to present about 4-H to local boards
• Mentor a Junior 4-H’er in the Civics and Political Science project
• Enter a civics and political science-related mini-booth as an exhibit at a fair
• Share strategies and lessons learned from campaigning
• Educate others about how to register to vote
• Volunteer to serve at a civic function and/or non-profit organization’s annual fundraiser
• Write an article and publish in a newsletter or online media outlet about how youth can be involved in government
• Lead your local club in a community service project
• Present at civic organizational meetings about your 4-H project work

Special Considerations

• Be sure to discuss plans with your local Extension contacts.
• Understand that politics may be divisive so be sure to get guidance from trusted leaders on the best ways to participate.
• Youth should practice internet safety. A best practice is to include a friend or parent in all communications and interactions.
• Political affiliations should not be included as part of this project.

Recommended Resources

• Project Achievement – Georgia 4-H
• School of Public and International Affairs – University of Georgia
• Home | Mysite 2
• Home | Georgia Girls State
• Interact Clubs | Rotary International
• ACCG Advancing Georgia’s Counties
• Library

At Competition

Civics and Political Science 4-H projects may use posters, artifacts, biofacts, and/or technology to support their presentation. The time limit for these presentations is 12 minutes. Computers, projectors, screens, and other technological devices may be used but must be provided by the presenter.

Prepared by: Keri Hobbs and Craven Hudson