Students Collaborate on Civics Project

At Robert Moses Middle School, eighth grade students completed a civics project as part of their social studies classes. The topics for these projects are varied, and classes come to a consensus on an issue.  
Students work in subgroups within the class that include tasks such as handling research, finding current policies that address the issue, creating and distributing surveys to obtain data, and writing emails to local community experts and preparing questions for them.
In some instances, field experts visit the classroom to speak to the eighth graders or virtually connect via email.  
In April, Assemblyman Durso and a representative from MADD visited Mr. Willis’ class to discuss driving under the influence and car safety, the focus of their civics project. Students asked both prepared and follow-up questions. Other topics the classes have chosen for this year include:  
•    Trying to get a monument created to recognize soldiers who fought the war on terror in the Town of Babylon.
•    Beach erosion and clean beach campaign 
•    Bike lanes in the Town of Babylon
•    Skate park in the Town of Babylon 
•    Clean up fishing dock at Lake Elda
•    Town of Babylon bike program - getting bike lanes on roads within the town (Deer Park Ave.)
•    Affordable home ownership for graduates who would like to remain within the community