Project Citizen 2016 - 1st Place & Heading to Nationals!

Post date: May 3, 2016 4:55:49 PM

Project Citizen 2016 - 1st Place & Heading to Nationals!

Riverview’s 7th-grade students participated in the State Level of Project Citizen, in Madison, this weekend. Students presented four panels of information, along with a binder full of research, artifacts, and textual evidence, about a problem in society that they wish to solve, or at least better address, through government.

One class of Riverview’s 7th graders proposed that the state mandate that hospitals, pediatric offices, daycares, eye doctors, glucose testing for pregnant women, and preschools advertise through a flyer or pamphlet the importance of babies, under the age of one, getting an eye examination. Through their research, they discovered that 80% of the eye diseases that cause blindness could be cured, if they were found by the age of one. When they research the new literature from local hospitals, which is given to new parents when they leave the hospitals, Riverview 7th graders found that less than 1% of the information refers to eyes, and 0% of the information discusses the importance of babies receiving an eye examination before the age of one. Also through their research, students found that there is a state statute already in place that states, that eye doctors are encouraged to give eye exams to those who cannot afford it; yet, when calling local eye doctors, it was found that this is not publicly advertised. Students are passionate about the fact that government get involved to ensure that parents are aware of the fact that their children should have eye examinations before the age of one, and they want less fortunate families to know that doctors are encouraged by government to perform free eye exams, to those who cannot afford it. They intend to continue to seek the attention of government officials, as well as local eye doctors, to help promote this awareness, and they intend to take this to Senator VanWanggaard, as a bill that they would like him to propose. The Senator visited our class earlier on April, and he told them that he would personally support their endeavor, should they choose to move forward with it, and they certainly do have these aspirations! Project Citizen has inspired these students to be active citizens and make a change in this world that will help more citizens continue to see it for themselves.

The judges were very impressed by this group’s chosen issue, loved their alternative policies, and they truly believe that their chosen action plan is necessary and doable. This team swept the judges away, and took 1st place at the state level of Project Citizen! Now, this class has their work cut out for them because their project will be moving on to the national competition in California!

The 7th-grade students participated in the State Level of Project Citizen, in Madison, this weekend. Students presented four panels of information, along with a binder full of research, artifacts, and textual evidence, about a problem in society that they wish to solve, or at least better address, through government. One 7th grade class proposed that the government make a policy that grants will be awarded to schools who will hold assemblies to spread mental health awareness, in order to "end the stigma" on mental health disorders and help our community better understand the signs, symptoms, and commonality of the issue, in an effort to help those who need it, seek that help. This team took 4th at the state level, and they should all be very proud of their work! They were driven, passionate, and worked extremely well as a team!

Our second group of 7th graders proposed that the state mandate (which means make a law) that hospitals, pediatric offices, daycares, eye doctors, glucose testing for pregnant women, and preschools advertise through a flyer or pamphlet the importance of babies, under the age of one, getting an eye examination. Through their research, they discovered that 80% of the eye diseases that cause blindness could be cured, if they were found by the age of one. The judges were very impressed by their issue, loved their alternative policies and proposed policy, and they truly believe that their action plan is necessary and doable. This team swept the judges away, and took 1st place at the state level of Project Citizen! Now, this class has their work cut out for them because they will be moving on to the national competition! If you see any of the 7th graders today, please congratulate them on a job well-done! Students, you really can make a difference in this world! :)