The links below will take you to a page with project ideas specifically for that category. Many projects address more than one issue as a product of their scope and breadth; when this happens, a project may be listed in more than one category. The overwhelming majority of these projects address a variety of subject matters and indicators from the Maryland State Curriculum, and these projects can be altered to include other areas of study as well.
Within the pages, the projects have been sorted by their level of service – direct, indirect, and advocacy.
Within the levels of service, the projects have been listed alphabetically by project title.
Recommendation: Because some of these pages will have dozens of project descriptions, it may help you to use the “Find” feature. On some browsers, hitting Ctrl+F will open a toolbar or pop up box that will allow you to search the whole document or web page for a specific keyword or phrase.
In this category, you will find projects aimed at assisting senior citizens. Many of these projects involve visiting nursing homes in conjunction with learning about history or caring for the elderly. Some schools have adapted projects so that they are working with a local senior citizen center to get the senior citizens to their school for events such as a senior citizen prom. If you are looking for project specifically involving veterans, see Public Safety.
In this category, you will find projects aimed at preventing animal cruelty and promoting animal safety. Projects may include visits to local animal shelters to assist and promote safe practices for animals. For projects about indigenous species and the environment’s impact on animals, see Environment.
Anti-Bullying
See School Improvement.
The goal of these projects is to increase public awareness, support, and engagement for our democratic society. Many of these projects will be aimed at increasing the number of voters and mobilizing groups of citizens to change their community for the better. Other projects in this category prepare students to become leaders for a variety of service-learning activities.
Cultural Diversity
See Education.
Disability Awareness/ Support
For disability awareness and support within the schools, see School Improvement.
For disability awareness and support in the community, see Health.
These projects are aimed at promoting literacy, preserving the past, and affecting the future. Many of these projects include student tutoring or mentoring services and sister schools. Other projects involve continuing education and may fundraise to provide scholarships for students attending college. For projects specifically aimed at preserving the memories of veterans, please see Public Safety.
These projects are all about affecting the environment in a positive way. Many of these projects will include the restoration of indigenous species, the clean up of local landmarks, and promoting more environmentally friendly practices in the school and local community.
This category includes promoting healthy living styles as well as providing assistance to those who are ill. These projects can range from helping special education students learn about hygiene to writing letters for donations to businesses to aid a local charity that helps kids with chronic illnesses.
The projects in this category are meant to target helping those who are homeless and impoverished. Many of these projects also tackle world hunger or benefit local soup kitchens.
Prejudice
For addressing prejudice in schools, see
- School Improvement, Bullying Prevention/ Peer Mediation
- School Improvement, Cultural Diversity
For addressing prejudice in the community, see Public Safety, Promoting Peace
The projects in this category are aimed at promoting public safety through law enforcement, preparing for and recovering from disasters, supporting the military and veterans, supporting victims of abuse, and promoting peace in the local and global community. These projects can include anything from beautifying community spaces to interviewing veterans so their military experiences are not lost.
This includes school beautification, character education, disability awareness in the school, and anti-bullying campaigns. These projects are designed to directly impact school safety and morale. Bullying has become a targeted problem in schools across the country. The projects found here will be focused on bullying prevention in schools and online.
Substance Abuse
For projects aimed at substance abuse prevention and helping the victims of substance abuse, see Public Safety.
Levels of Service
Direct Service: Students have face-to-face contact with the service recipients. For example: tutoring; serving meals at a homeless shelter; working with the elderly in a nursing home, etc.
Indirect Service: Students perform a service without having face-to-face contact with the recipient. Usually resources are channeled to help alleviate a problem. For example: food & clothing drives; walk-a-thons or fundraisers; environmental projects, etc.
Advocacy: Students educate others about a particular issue with the goal being to eliminate the cause of a particular problem. For example: writing letters to legislators or editors; preparing and displaying posters, plays, or other educational materials for others, etc.