*For more detailed instructions, see the full lesson plan.

The students will write a first draft of their civic action plans (i.e. the “civics” part of their solution plan).

In their civic action plans, the students should explain which civic action(s) they would recommend for implementing their chosen scientific solution, and why. 

The students’ civic action plans should contain the following sections:

• A description of the proposed civic actions (including a list of the required steps)
• An explanation of  how your civic action plan takes into account the needs/interests of stakeholders
• A paragraph that acknowledges the obstacles you might face if you decided to put your plan into action
• Arguments, supported by evidence/reasons, for why your proposed solution would be the most effective way to address our chosen problem. 
• A paragraph about how your civic action plan reflects your talents and interests

For more detailed information about the requirements for this essay, click here.

The students should have already started the planning process earlier in the lesson, and they should already have collected some peer review feedback. Be sure to remind them of this as they start their assignment. 

Grade the students’ essays based on the following criteria:

• Can the students weigh the pros and cons of using different civic actions to address a given problem?
• Can the students distinguish between which civic actions are feasible and which are not given their current circumstances?
• Can the students coordinate all of the components of a civic action plan (i.e. civic actions, civic spaces, target audience, partnerships, etc.) in a logical way? 
• Can the students identify all of the steps necessary for accomplishing a specific civic action?
• Can the students clearly and thoroughly describe a civic action plan in writing?
• Can the students make strong arguments (supported by evidence/reasons) for courses of civic action that they feel will be most effective in addressing a given problem?
• Can the students design a civic action plan that recognizes and accommodates the needs/interests of relevant stakeholder groups?
• Can the students identify appropriate community partners for a civic action plan?
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