Needham High School Civics Engagement Projects

The League of Women Voters of Needham is working with the Needham High School Social Studies Department to support students as they complete the required eleventh grade student civics projects. The civics projects became a formalized portion of the curriculum through enactment of S2631, An Act to Promote and Enhance Civic Engagement. Students will select a topic that is important to them and develop an advocacy plan of action on a real-world problem at the local or state level.

 

Student Advocacy Guide

The League’s Student Advocacy Guide gives students background material as they develop their own advocacy strategy. The Guide covers the types of advocacy; state, Needham and Boston government; and advocating at the state and local (Needham and Boston) levels.

Download the Student Advocacy Guide to get a pdf with live links.

Appendix: Letters to Editor – OpEd samples

Advocacy Videos

Watch the videos on the LWV-Needham YouTube Channel.

The League of Women Voters of Needham produced a suite of short videos:

  • The Legislative Process in Massachusetts
  • Advocacy through Lobbying
  • Grassroots Advocacy
  • Media Advocacy
  • Needham Advocacy
  • Boston Advocacy with State Senator Lydia Edwards
  • State Advocacy with Senator Becca Rausch
  • State Advocacy with Representative Denise Garlick

Showcase−Students Advocate for Change

LWV-Needham and NHS are co-sponsoring the second annual Students Advocate for Change, the Needham High School Civics Showcase on Saturday, June 10 at 2 – 3:30 PM at Powers Hall, Needham Town Hall. Elected officials, parents, and community members are welcome to join us for the culminating event of the eleventh grade civics projects. Engage with students on the issues that matter to them.

Participating students will receive the “Excellence in Advocacy Award” from the League of Women Voters of Needham.

Visit our Showcase post for up-to-date information on the Showcase!

See highlights from the 2022 Showcase.