We are learning about Civil Rights and some of the great leaders who have brought about change in our country’s history.  Kids can change the world, too!  For your Einstein challenge this month, you will be designing and carrying out a service project that will help others in your community.  Below is an example of a plan of action; you will need to choose and carry out your own idea.  Please complete each of the following steps as you work towards your service goal.  Parents- of course help where needed, but please empower your student to direct and complete the project. 

1. Choose an issue-based problem.  ex: The Naturescape is dangerous and overgrown.  It isn’t a very nice place for our school or the community.

2. Think about solutions to that problem.  Select a service experience that connects to it.  What group of people will your project help?  ex: I would like to organize a “Night in the Naturescape” where we weed, clean up, and plant new plants.  This will make it better and easier for classes to use the space, and make it less dangerous and overgrown.  It will benefit CRA students and the community.

3. Research.  Where would you look for information about how to address the issue?  List businesses contacted, and any notes you have from your conversations. List websites you find useful. Detail your plan.    I have used the internet to research plants that would do well in this climate. ex: I have used the phone to call around to places that may want to help donate plants and supplies. I have visited the Naturescape with my parents to make a plan for that evening. 

4. Build a team.  Whose help will you need?  Think big!  ex: Other classes, the PTO, Canyon Rim Park (County Parks and Rec), Local Businesses like Smith’s, Rosewood Gardens, Home Depot, etc., Contact volunteers who have helped in the Naturescape in the past.

5. Advertise. How will you let people know about the project?  Choose several ways to get the word out. Outline all of the details.  How will you distribute?  Who do you contact, and what do they say? ex: School Newsletter, Local News stations, Teacher’s website, School website, Flyers.

6. Raise money (if you need to).  If there are supplies you need, find a way to raise the money to purchase them or have them donated.  ex: Home Depot agreed to donate 5 flats of flowers.  I am going to sell the flowers for $5 each at the Art Festival to earn money to purchase some new soil and other supplies.  The county also donated $100, which my dad is helping me to use on Utah-based plants.  I also wrote a letter to the mayor to see if he would like to help.

7. Carry out your solution.  List the steps you follow.  ex: 1. I have advertised the Night In the Naturescape, and it will be taking place on March 29th at 5:30pm.  2. Have my parents help me pick up and organize the supplies.  I have arranged for soil, plants, tools and little water bottles for all of the volunteers. 3. With the help of my Grandpa I have drawn out a diagram of where I want the plants to go.  I need to make copies for all of the volunteers.  4. The PTO has offered to help with the volunteers.  I have 5 groups each working on a different section of the Naturescape.  5. We will work for an hour and a half, and everyone gets their own water bottle!  My teacher is setting up a sound system so we can listen to music while we work, and I can make announcements on a microphone if I need to.

8. Evaluate, reflect and celebrate.  How did it go?  How would you have changed your plan?  ex: I thought the service project went really well.  We were able to clean it up and make it look nice.  I am worried about students messing it up during recess.  If I could change one thing it would be to have refreshments because I got really hungry.  I also wanted KIDS to be helping with the weeding and planting, but a lot of kids just went to play on the playground.  Next time I’ll have all of the parents be in charge of helping their kids.  Ms. Collen liked the project so much that she is letting us have a celebration in the Naturescape next month!

9. Don’t give up.  Can you see how to extend the experience to GLOBAL service?  ex: There is a section of the Naturescape that would be good for a garden.  If I could find someone to help me, I would love to grow some tomatoes and zucchini that we could sell some at the Farmer’s Market. We could then use the money to help kids in other places around the world by sponsoring micro loans.  I would like to start a club at school to keep the momentum going!

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You will need to present your project to your teacher to qualify for this month’s Einstein Lunch!              

Please include all the steps and any pictures or resources you used.  Let us know how we can help!

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