National Showcases
Every year, state coordinators of the Project Citizen program designate exemplary portfolios from their state to send to the annual Project Citizen National Showcase, where evaluators determine the level of achievement attained by each portfolio.
Classes may elect to submit a digital/electronic or traditional portfolio.
About Digital Portfolios
We will accept various digital/electronic portfolio formats, including PowerPoint, Google Slides, Canva, Miro, etc. The digital portfolio should conform to the same traditional portfolio guidelines and provide all relevant materials. Supporting documentation should accompany the digital portfolio. Digital portfolios may integrate various visual and graphic components, animations, and video elements. If desired, students may record short audio or video clips for inclusion in their submissions.
Suggestions for Strong Entries
Each portfolio should include detailed information on the problem, alternative policy solutions, selected policy resolutions, and an action plan. Portfolio entries lacking a clear policy issue and proposed policy solution will score very low at the national showcase.
Portfolios must contain all of the following elements:
Eligibility - Applies to All Portfolios
Project Citizen: Community Engagement in Public Policy is open to all upper elementary, middle, and high school students in the United States. Any class or group of students can participate in Project Citizen and submit a portfolio for a showcase.
The program is typically implemented in a classroom or after-school club setting, but it can also be done independently by a group of students facilitated by an adult. Homeschool students working in a consortium recognized by the local education agency can also submit a portfolio.
Classes may elect to submit a digital/electronic or traditional portfolio.
About Digital Portfolios
We will accept various digital/electronic portfolio formats, including PowerPoint, Google Slides, Canva, Miro, etc. The digital portfolio should conform to the same traditional portfolio guidelines and provide all relevant materials. Supporting documentation should accompany the digital portfolio. Digital portfolios may integrate various visual and graphic components, animations, and video elements. If desired, students may record short audio or video clips for inclusion in their submissions.
Suggestions for Strong Entries
Each portfolio should include detailed information on the problem, alternative policy solutions, selected policy resolutions, and an action plan. Portfolio entries lacking a clear policy issue and proposed policy solution will score very low at the national showcase.
Portfolios must contain all of the following elements:
- Title: The portfolio should include the project's title, teacher’s name, group members' names, and school name.
- Problem Identification: The portfolio should include an introduction providing background information on the problem and its relevance. Describe the problem, its causes, and its effects. This section should also include verifiable data and statistics that support the group's claims.
- Analysis: This section should analyze three potential solutions to the problem identified in the previous section.
- Solution: The portfolio should include a section that describes the proposed solution to the problem. This section should include a detailed description of the solution, an explanation of how the solution addresses the problem, and a discussion of any potential drawbacks or limitations. The solution must be constitutional.
- Action Plan: The portfolio should include an action plan that outlines the steps needed to communicate/influence relevant policymakers to adopt the solution. The action plan should include a timeline, a list of resources needed, and a description of the roles and responsibilities of student groups.
- Citations & Supporting Documentation: The portfolio should include a notebook or binder demonstrating any supporting materials that the group used in their research, such as verifiable articles, surveys, and interviews. This section should also include student reflections.
Eligibility - Applies to All Portfolios
Project Citizen: Community Engagement in Public Policy is open to all upper elementary, middle, and high school students in the United States. Any class or group of students can participate in Project Citizen and submit a portfolio for a showcase.
The program is typically implemented in a classroom or after-school club setting, but it can also be done independently by a group of students facilitated by an adult. Homeschool students working in a consortium recognized by the local education agency can also submit a portfolio.
State Showcases
The Project Citizen program is implemented through a network of coordinators across the nation. State coordinators have access to a variety of resources to assist with Project Citizen professional development, textbook distribution, and general program administration. To see how your class can participate in a State Showcase Contact your State Coordinator here.
