Community Action Project
"All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing"
- Tolstoy
Why learn about the world’s problems if we do nothing to help solve them? If your
group already has an idea you’d like to explore, write it here: _________
______________________________________________________________
If not, here are some issues you might get involved with at your own school &/or in
your community:

Some Issue Options are:
fair trade consumer products (see: www.globalexchange.org)
waste water management or water conservation
recycling, re-using and reducing our garbage, compost, etc.
reducing energy waste and pollution
plant or animal endangered species & habitats (land, sea, air)
Here are some ways you might address the problem:

Increase Awareness!
Make a Public Service Announcement (PSA) video, Powerpoint movie, podcast,
or in print, poster or live presentation. Present your PSA to another class, the
whole school, younger children, parents, school administration, the school board,
church, community center, or via radio, TV or a local newspaper.
Organize an information booth at a local event or a busy community venue, such
as a nearby supermarket, church, library or someplace where pono people could
be invited to do good things for our future
Create an eye-catching community bulletin board on or off campus

Take Action!
Raise funds for a worthy cause (e.g. buy a solar panel, donate to sustainable
causes here or in the 3rd world, paint a mural, etc.)
Create a volunteer project (find a stream, beach, park, wildlife habitat or garden,
organize an improvement event & invite others to join you)
Volunteer for service learning activities (join a community clean up, conservation
or recycling effort; become a committed member of a local sustainability group,
see for example: www.hi.sierraclub.org)
Take political action on a hot topic (create a petition & collect signatures; attract
media attention to your issue through letters, TV or radio; attend & speak at your
School Community Council meeting; track environmental bills in the legislature or
testify for or against a bill …see:
www.capitol.hawaii.gov/site1/info/guide/guide.asp)
Ka Hana ‘Imi Na‘auao – A Science Careers Curriculum
Available at: www.cds.hawaii.edu/kahana
1
Think about WHO you want to notice your issue & WHAT you want them to DO
about the problem and solutions you identify. Write your proposal below.
“Community Action Project” GROUP MEMBERS, ROLES & TARGET SKILLS:
1. _____________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________________
4. _____________________________________________________
5. _____________________________________________________
COMMUNITY ACTION PROJECT NAME: ________________________
MAIN IDEA & GOAL: _________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
HOW THIS WILL HELP OUR SCHOOL &/OR COMMUNITY: _________
__________________________________________________________
STEPS TO ACHIEVE THE GOAL
(use another sheet if needed)
PREPARATION, MATERIALS,
COSTS & TIME ESTIMATES FOR
EACH STEP (use more paper if needed)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
TIMELINE TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT:
WHO TO INVITE TO THE PROJECT PRESENTATION on ________________:
OTHER NOTES:
TEACHER INPUT & OK TO BEGIN:
Ka Hana ‘Imi Na‘auao – A Science Careers Curriculum
Available at: www.cds.hawaii.edu/kahana
2
Project & Presentation Evaluation
EVALUATOR’S NAME: __________________________________________
Evaluator is: ___ self (student)
___ peer
___ teacher
___ guest (with knowledge of: __________________________)
GROUP MEMBERS: ____________________________________________
DIRECTIONS: Please read the criteria in the left column below before viewing the
student presentation. While or after they present, circle the groups’ score fairly
and honestly to the best of your ability. Please word your comments carefully, as
they will be shared with students later. Mahalo for participating!
Criteria
1. Topic is: _________________
(is clear & relevant)
2. Project Purpose is:
___ increase awareness
___ help make improvement(s)
3. Project Description (activities
group did are presented clearly)
4. Skill Target(s) (each student
identifies own skill(s) s/he tried to
increase & overall progress made)
5. Project Preparations (adequate
progress checks were noted by in
journals & meetings w/ teacher)
6. Project Outcomes (successes
&/or challenges group experienced
are described)
7. Presentation (oral, visual,
written &/or other elements of
presentation are clear & relevant;
info is shared in ___ minute limit)
Expectations
Exceeded
Met
Not Met
(B- to A+) (C – C+) (D to C-)
Points
Possible
(100)
very clear
mostly
partially
5-6
4-4½
3½
6
very clear!
mostly
clear
partially
clear
5-6
4-4½
3½
6
very clear
mostly
partially
16-20
14-15½
12-12½
great effort!
ok effort
partial
effort
6½-8
5½-6
5
8
great effort!
ok effort
partial
effort
20
16-20
14-15½
12-12½
great
success!
ok
success
partial
success
16-20
14-15½
12-12½
great
success!
ok
success
partial
success
16-20
14-15½
12-12½
20
20
20
______ + _______ + _______ = Total:
/100
COMMENTS: write on back of page what students did well and what could have been
changed to make the presentation better or different.
Ka Hana ‘Imi Na‘auao – A Science Careers Curriculum
Available at: www.cds.hawaii.edu/kahana
3
Internet Sites to Explore for Your PSA Project
To See Example PSAs and Learn How to Make One go to:
Winning Hawai‘i high school student PSAs (health related):
http://www.hmsa.com/community/awards/teenvideo/winners.aspx
Environmental Stewardship PSA:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x574lm_environmental-stewardship-psa_news
Making a PSA (narrated slideshow with links to YouTube):
http://www.wiredsafety.org/wiredlearning/psa/
Learn about Copyright Law & Fair Use from this brochure:
http://www.asdk12.org/Schools/Dimond/pages/library/qcopy.pdf
And this interactive website: http://www.cyberbee.com/cb_copyright.swf
Legal Images to Search & Use: www.creativecommons.org & www.flickr.com
Plan your PSA with a Storyboard handout:
http://www.rockwood.k12.mo.us/MARQUETTE/kane/classes%20pages/bI/Storyboard
%20Handout.pdf
To Make a Jaycut Video go to:
To begin online video-making go to: http://jaycut.com On the homepage click on
“Quick Guide” then “See Demonstration” for a 6 minute video tutorial. Next, on the
homepage click “Register” to open a new account, the click “Upload” to gather your
photos, videos and music. Last, click the tabs to see your materials, drag them to the
editing bars, and finesse them with effects & transitions you choose. Then save!
To Make a Podcast (for Radio PSA) go to:
Audacity software to create audio files, free download: http://audacity.sourceforge.net
Audacity Tutorial on the basics of audio recording:
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/manual-1.2/tutorial_basics_1.html (includes Digital
Audio; Rules of Audacity; Setup, Audio Import and Playback; Recording with Audacity)
Convert Audacity (save as .wav) to MP3: http://media-convert.com/convert/ (Follow
these steps: 1. Choose file (find your .wav file on your computer); 2. Leave the "auto
detect" in the file type box; 3. Choose MPEG 1/2 audio layer 3 (mp3) format in the
Output box (scroll down the list in the pull down menu); 4. Choose OK to "accept
terms"; 5. Wait for conversion (takes 2-3 minutes); 6. click OK for the default encoding
rate after your file is converted; 7. Download your converted file
Other Options:
If you have access to other video equipment and computer software such as a
camcorder & iMovie, you may use them to create your PSA – just make sure you already
have some skill or have the hours available to learn a lot
If you have no access to technology or want to focus on speaking, writing &/or graphic
art skills you may make a PSA for a newspaper, magazine or poster
“Target Skill” Criteria:
In your Team Project Proposal you must identify Individual Skill(s) you plan to learn &/or
improve. This means, firstly, you must be honest about your current level of skill
(familiarity with programs like iMovie, Powerpoint, etc.: filming, recording sound &
Ka Hana ‘Imi Na‘auao – A Science Careers Curriculum
Available at: www.cds.hawaii.edu/kahana
4
editing; researching; writing; graphic design; &/or public speaking) and secondly, you
must set a realistic goal to practice your skill and use it in your project.
Ka Hana ‘Imi Na‘auao – A Science Careers Curriculum
Available at: www.cds.hawaii.edu/kahana
5
Storyboard Handout Retrieved 11/09/08 from:
http://drake.marin.k12.ca.us/academics/apptech/compapps/compgraphics2/Storyboard%20Handout.doc
Student Name(s)
Teacher & Class
Working Title
Sketch
Sketch
Sketch
Scene:
Actions:
Scene:
Actions:
Scene:
Actions:
Location/Background:
Location/Background:
Location/Background:
Sound Effects:
Sound Effects:
Sound Effects:
Notes:
Notes:
Notes:
Length:
Length:
Length:
Sketch
Sketch
Sketch
Scene:
Actions:
Scene:
Actions:
Scene:
Actions:
location/background:
location/background:
Location/background:
sound effects:
sound effects:
sound effects:
notes:
notes:
notes:
Length:
Length:
Length:
Ka Hana ‘Imi Na‘auao – A Science Careers Curriculum
Available at: www.cds.hawaii.edu/kahana
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