Project Citizen
Project Citizen helps middle and high school students become involved in their local and state governments in addition to monitoring and influencing public policy. Participants (either from a school or community group) find a problem in their community. They create a portfolio based on their research, and then make a plan to resolve the issue. Once they have a solid plan, they are ready to focus on getting their plan adopted by their local or state government. Some participants showcase their project at the Missouri State Project Citizen Showcase, usually held the first Monday in March at the State Capitol, where one project is selected to represent the state at the national level.
Recognized by the National Council of State Legislators as the best program to teach middle school and high school students about local government, this program has a multi-disciplinary approach that teachers value. Both the Center for Civic Education and The Missouri Bar provide professional development opportunities for Project Citizen and participating teachers receive a free classroom set of books.
2009 State Showcase Portfolia Schools / Rankings
Portfolio Judging Results
Note: The rankings are excellent, superior, good and participant.
Middle School Division (Grades 5-8)
- Bayless Junior High, Bayless School District, St. Louis
Teacher: Jennifer Nelson, Liz Bentrup
Kick the Butts out of Affton
GOOD
- Campbell Middle School, Campbell
Teachers: Sheila Peters and Rachel Vincent
Eliminating Tobacco Ads Seen Outside of Businesses
SUPERIOR
- Jennings Junior High School, Jennings School District, St. Louis
Teacher: Grace Lee
STDs? Not for Me!
EXCELLENT
- Rockwood Selvidge Middle School, Rockwood School District, Eureka
Teachers: Dawn Murray, Kevin Walters and Jen Wigand
Smoking Takes a Toll on Missouri
EXCELLENT
- Rockwood Selvidge Middle School, Rockwood School District, Eureka
Teachers: Julie Buker and Dana Stiebel
Teens Teaching the Truth about Tobacco
SUPERIOR
- Rockwood South Middle, Rockwood School District, Eureka
Teacher: Allison Seitz
Healthier Air, Healthier Fenton
GOOD
- Rockwood South Middle, Rockwood School District, Eureka
Teacher: Allison Seitz
Get the Smoke OUT!
GOOD
- Rockwood South Middle, Rockwood School District, Eureka
Teacher: Allison Seitz
Road to a Healthier Fenton
SUPERIOR
- Rockwood South Middle, Rockwood School District, Eureka
Teacher: Laura Ross
Filters for Healthier Air
GOOD
- Rockwood South Middle, Rockwood School District, Eureka
Teacher: Laura Ross
Fenton Smoke Out!
GOOD
- Rockwood South Middle, Rockwood School District, Eureka
Teacher: Laura Ross
Fenton Students for Cleaner Air
GOOD
- Rockwood Valley Middle, Rockwood School District, Eureka
Teachers: Becky Forristal, Jane Lingafelter, Chirs Shipman
& Megan Surgener
Ban Smoke. It’s No Joke
EXCELLENT
- Summit Pointe Elementary, Lees Summit R-VII School District
Teacher: Dan Johnson
Clean Raintree Lake
SUPERIOR
- Summit Pointe Elementary, Lees Summit R-VII School District
Teacher: Dan Johnson
Old People Driving
PARTICIPANT
- Troop 2425, Girl Scout Council of Eastern Missouri
Troop Leaders: Ellen Lanier, Renee Ross
Third-hand Smoke: Learn and Spread the Word
SUPERIOR
- Scott County
Childhood Obesity and the National School Lunch Program
SUPERIOR
High School Division (Grades 9-12)
- A Better World
Teacher: Vincent McKinney
It’s Right Behind Them!- Print Tobacco Advertisements Target the Youth
GOOD
- Arcadia Valley High School, Ironton
Teacher: Don Barzowski
Effects of Smoking: Bigger than You and Me
GOOD
- Arcadia Valley High School, Ironton
Teacher: Don Barzowski
How Does It Feel to Be Lungless?
GOOD
- Northwest Academy of Law and Transportation, St. Louis
Teacher: Mr. Lenard Jackson
Aids Prevention Methods
GOOD
- Northwest Academy of Law and Transportation, St. Louis
Teacher: Ms. Yolanda Burnett
Vacant/Abandoned Housing
GOOD
- Oakland Junior High School, Columbia Public School District
Teacher: Travis Cearley
R.S.V.P. (Reducing School Violence Program)
SUPERIOR
Click here for photos of the 2009 Project Citizen Showcase!