The 2025 regional affiliate champion middle division community projects from around the world submitted these summaries and promotional videos to showcase their service learning impact. Each individual and student team applied our problem-solving process in their communities to create lasting change.
2030 in Focus
2030 in Focus was created through my awareness of the UN Global Goals and the importance of Quality Education. According to The World Bank 2024, approximately 244 million children worldwide are not enrolled in school, and many drop out before completing primary education. There are many reasons a child cannot receive a Quality Education, such as low-income families, poorer countries, higher living costs and inflation. 2030 in Focus aims to help students feel supported in their schooling and community members have increased access to resources.
Project Career Compass
After noticing the gaping absence of career resources available to junior high students (7th-8th grade) in the Pearland school district, I created Project Career Compass. With the intent of maximizing the accessibility of more engaging career resources to students, I hosted webinars featuring guest speakers of different career fields and events at schools. Additionally, online resources were offered via platforms such as Instagram @project.careercompass and YouTube, where many individuals have easy access to. Using a wide range of tactics, I was able to maximize the reach to my targeted audience.
Lift Life
I launched Lift Life to break the cycle of caregiver isolation in Central Florida. Inspired by my family’s experience supporting my quadriplegic aunt, I created podcasts, workshops, and a website to connect caregivers with resources. With limited time and overwhelming responsibilities, caregivers need support that’s easy to access, so I brought it to them through a multi-modal approach. From podcast interviews with speakers from organizations offering real solutions, to building LiftLifeAppFoundation.org, designing reusable caregiver tools, and leading in-person Stress-Free Caregiving workshops, Lift Life empowers caregivers with practical help and emotional support. It’s more than a project, it’s a growing movement for change.
Civics Education Young Government
In today’s society, too many young people do not have an adequate civics preparation. As a result, fewer young people feel connected to their government. My project is aimed toward developing materials that will ultimately increase civics awareness among young people.
inclusiveU
Witnessing the stigma and lack of awareness surrounding the exclusion of individuals with special needs, inclusiveU was born to drive change within West Windsor-Plainsboro. Recognizing that many feel excluded from community activities, this initiative strives to cultivate a more inclusive environment in schools and the broader community. Through community engagement, inclusiveU identifies specific challenges and needs. By implementing programs and raising awareness, the focus is on fostering acceptance and genuine inclusion. Activities range from peer support systems to community and recreational activities. The goal is a sustainable, welcoming community for all individuals with special needs, reaching out and embracing all.
Project WOMF!? What’s On My Face!?
Project WOMF!? is about raising awareness of the risks that cosmetics products can have on adolescents’ physical health so people can make informed decisions regarding their cosmetics use.
Project CentSafari
Per the Department of Public Instruction, only 25% of North Carolina (NC) elementary schools include financial literacy education in their curriculum, suggesting many elementary students may not receive financial education. Since this is extremely important for future financial security and success, these students must learn this essential knowledge in a way that will spark their interest! Project CentSafari attempts to introduce financial literacy concepts to the elementary school students of Charlotte, NC through engaging content. The initiative utilizes a fun fictional character, interactive workshops, and personalized AI-enabled financial literacy stories to teach the basic four financial literacy pillars: goal-setting, budgeting, income, and savings.
Project On the SPOT with Pete
Currently, Pearland residents lack basic information about their town, like who works at City Hall, activities in their town, and the history of Pearland. To solve this problem, I created Project On the SPOT with Pete, a YouTube channel that “Studies Pearland Over Time” through uploading 30 second to a minute long easy to access, informative, and engaging YouTube Shorts of locations that are significant to Pearland’s culture, history, and civics. These videos promote awareness of the culture in the Pearland area so that community members can deepen their understanding of the importance of engaging in Pearland’s community.
The Food Saver
The Food Saver project at Indian Trails Middle School aims to combat food waste, which costs the school several thousand dollars annually. The initiative focuses on reducing waste through a share table that allows students to exchange unwanted food. Solutions include informative announcements, food exchanges for rewards, and setting a school goal tied to share table usage. Over the course of the project, significant progress was made, including a 42.5% increase in share table usage. The project’s sustainability relies on continued awareness and supervision, with plans to expand to other schools to further reduce food waste across the district.
Light Up the World
Saratoga and Los Gatos, California are known for their rural charm, but the absence of streetlights creates hazardous nighttime conditions and contributes to increased crime. Though many neighbors feel unsafe, few have acted. Project Light Up the World rallies community support and advocates for government intervention into this issue. Through digital surveys and in-person outreach, I’ve sparked local interest in the topic, built strong connections, and incorporated diverse perspectives in my road safety proposal to Santa Clara County. As of late April, I’m awaiting the results of a county road inspection that determines safety measures appropriate for my neighborhood.
Vaping Awareness
Our team responded to the underlying problem “Vaping is a harmful influence in our school community, with increased usage amongst local youths. How might we increase awareness of the health implications of vaping within our college community so that we educate students in making healthier choices in 2024 and beyond?” Our goal is to inform students at our school of the health impacts from vaping that would empower them to make healthy choices in their lives.
Project Library Interactive Team (L.I.T.)
The goal of Project L.I.T. (Library Interactive Team) is to increase the appeal of the Sinton Public Library for people between the ages of 11-19. Through targeted research and discussion with community members, the Sinton mayor, the Sinton Public librarian, and students at the middle school and high school in Sinton ISD, the students have developed a variety of activities to make the Sinton Public Library more attractive to their targeted age group. These activities include themed game and movie days, print and multimedia advertising of special events, library activities, and tours for incoming middle school students.
Alleviating Addiction
Alleviating Addiction is a project aimed at helping people get rid of bad habits before they transform into addictions. This is because, by logic of the Gateway Drug Hypothesis, by getting rid of bad habits while they are small, the person with the bad habit may never develop the harmful addiction in the future. Our solution has an app that addresses the bad habit, and a website that replaces the bad habit with a healthy hobby.
Get it Done!
Project Get It Done, formed by six students at Indian Trails Middle School, aims to assist peers with their academic workload. Initially focused on homework, the project evolved to address students’ broader needs for help in completing assignments and studying. The club fosters a supportive environment where students can seek one-on-one assistance. Throughout the year, the team implemented surveys, organized meetings, and promoted the club via announcements and posters. They successfully increased participation and helped students improve their grades, demonstrating a positive impact on the school community. Plans for sustainability include continuing the club with new student leaders next year.
Project Pedestrian Safety
Our middle school community problem solvers chose to make a difference in our community by working with the city of Keosauqua to make a dangerous corner in our town safer for pedestrians. This project involved researching funding for two different solution paths we considered and several conversations with city officials and county workers.
Domestic Abuse
Domestic Abuse is a serious problem that is often difficult to address. The goal of this project is to raise awareness of the types of domestic abuse, how to address domestic abuse, and to be an upstander both for victims and local organizations that support victims. The team at Armstrong Middle School has led various activities to raise awareness and to raise funds to support local organizations working to support victims of domestic abuse. By collaborating with organizations and the school community to provide outreach and education, the team has brought this topic to the forefront and positively impacted the school and local community.
Next Chapter
Next Chapter is a community project team at Thomas Grover Middle School focused on equipping the younger generation with the skills to understand financial literacy so that they can contribute to a thriving, sustainable future for all. By working with many stakeholders and organizations at the local and state level, hosting and presenting at a multitude of events, and creating everlasting resources, we have been able to empower the younger generation in our community and beyond to achieve their financial success and security, especially in today’s ever changing economy.
Project Amaryllis
Given that there is a lack of social support structures to support neurotypical siblings, aged 7-12 years old, of persons with special needs, Project Amaryllis is focused on increasing support towards them through initiatives for neurotypical siblings to bond with each other and their parents so that they can better cope with their family circumstances in the year 2024 and beyond.
Are You Prepared to A.C.T.?
Many people do not understand the lifesaving skills necessary during major emergencies like cardiac arrest. Working with local partners, students were trained in A.C.T. (Antidotes, CPR, & Tourniquets) through hands-on sessions designed to increase overall understanding and capabilities that could help save lives when precious minutes matter. Hundreds of students are now prepared for such situations, and training is being expanded to instruct students district-wide. The value of these skills cannot be understated, and we hope to see this program develop in schools beyond our district. Saving lives starts with being prepared. So ask yourself: Am I prepared to act?
Skill Builders
Skill Builders, a project by four 8th-grade students at Indian Trails Middle School, addresses the lack of essential life skills among peers, such as cooking, cleaning, and basic economics. In an 8-week after-school club, they teach these skills through hands-on lessons and activities. The project aims to empower students to live independently and includes stakeholder support from teachers, parents, and the school administration. Feedback indicates a positive impact on participants, with plans to create a website for ongoing access to resources. The initiative fosters community engagement and emphasizes the importance of life skills education.
Project H.E.R.O.
Project H.E.R.O is a group that strives to help their community with their mental health needs. As they empathize and understand how stressful it can be to not have proper support, they aim to help as much as they can with workshops, a website, and a social media. Project H.E.R.O aims to help all those in need, but with a main focus on adolescents as they tend to be the ones who require more help.
Project S.T.A.G.E
Project S.T.A.G.E. encourages students at our middle school to use stress management techniques so that they can respond calmly and thoughtfully during conflict. We constructed a 36’x36’ labyrinth to reinforce mindfulness techniques taught by the psychologist at our school. With labyrinth walks, we host role-playing activities. The two-act improv skit demonstrates a funny interpretation of mishandling a stressful scenario and then rewinds to show a more mindful approach to the same conflict. Labyrinth-walkers report that the experience is peaceful, allowing a break away from stress. The more they can do that, the more they can respond to stress mindfully, for themselves and those around them.
Project CONNECT
Project CONNECT is a community projects team aimed at reducing social isolation among senior citizens in West Windsor, NJ. By publishing a children’s book, creating a non-profit organization, and awareness campaigns, the team created meaningful intergenerational connections. Activities through the Senior Activity Club, and Technology tutorials helped seniors build relationships and feel engaged. Over time, senior attendance increase by over 21%, and volunteer participation grew by 268%. CONNECT also addressed accessibility challenges, improved communication with senior center staff, and adapted events to meet seniors’ diverse needs, making a lasting impact on both the elderly and the youth volunteers involved.
The Lost Treasures
The Lost Treasures, a team of seven students at Indian Trails Middle School, addresses the issue of overflowing lost and found items, which can lead to health risks and difficulties for students to reclaim their belongings. The project aims to refurbish and distribute unclaimed items to those in need. Through surveys and inventory management, the team organized a system for returning lost items while ensuring cleanliness and accessibility. Meetings with school administration facilitated the project’s growth, including plans for district-wide implementation. Their efforts have positively impacted the community, helping students retrieve belongings and fostering a culture of support and resourcefulness.
Seeds of Change
Hunger and food insecurity affect millions globally. In North Carolina, 349 food deserts impact over 1.5 million residents. We, the “Seeds of Change”, are working on increasing knowledge on self-sustaining food production in the food desert community so that it can empower people to be nutrition-sufficient in North Carolina’s Mecklenburg County in 2024 and beyond.
Nurturing Nature ~ One Seed at a Time
Native plants are the backbone of our ecosystem, and Nurturing Nature is dedicated to growing and incorporating native plants into our community, which didn’t previously have any native plantings or access to native plants. With a method called winter sowing, our team grew around 1300 native plants from seed that we strategically planted in high traffic areas and/or gave away to community members at our “Free Sale” events. We also created interpretive signage for each native planting as well as social media to educate community members. Through our project, our community chose to nurture nature…one seed at a time.
Project Oculus
We are Project Oculus, a Year 3 Community Problem Solving team from Raffles Girls School. We aim to empower elderly with the knowledge and confidence to combat scams. Some of our initiatives include, frequent workshops with small groups of elderly and seminars with big groups of elderly, a calendar and fridge magnet with information on how to combat scams as well as an article we will be publishing on an elderly lifestyle forum to raise awareness on this issue.
Project Code to Connect
Project Code to Connect is working to maximize scamming awareness for children ages 6 to 14 in Pearland. We have developed our project by creating an Instagram page with educational skits, posts, and slideshows about common scams in our community and how to protect oneself from them. Additionally, we have held one-on-one workshops, created a scam help form, partnered with schools, organizations, and our local library to host interactive and engaging lessons catered towards students. We have made our project into a sustainable and adaptable initiative by equipping members of our community with knowledge to navigate the digital world safely.
Digital Earthquake
Türkiye is an earthquake country. Unfortunately, we experience thousands of earthquakes every year, and we are exposed to highly-destructive earthquakes every few years. Earthquakes are the biggest reality of our country and children and young people should be more conscious about this issue. That’s why we, Dijital Deprem (Digital Earthquake), decided to create an earthquake awareness platform. You can access our self-developed games and our linked Instagram account on our website dijitaldeprem.com and be more prepared for an earthquake by reading our blog posts. Let’s not forget that it is not the earthquake that kills, but ignorance.
Project Greenshift
We are a group of students who aim to modify our school and local community’s perspective towards recycling and proper waste disposal. We believe current efforts have been ineffective in creating lasting change in people’s perspectives. Therefore, through our various long-term engaging and unique activities, we aim to inspire students and residents in our community to be more mindful of their environmental footprint and build green and sustainable habits. Our meaningful, accessible and intentional initiatives will help them apply what they have learnt, effectively promoting sustainable practices to better recycle and dispose of their waste in their daily lives.
