81+ Engaging Civics Project Ideas for High School Students
4 min readNov 16, 2023
High school is more than textbooks and tests; it’s an opportunity to engage with the world and make a difference. Civics projects offer an avenue for students to tackle real-world issues, learn about civic responsibility, and actively contribute to their communities. Let’s explore a wealth of practical and impactful civics project ideas for high school students that they can easily undertake.
Simple Civics Project Ideas for High School
- Analyze campaign speeches to evaluate persuasive techniques.
- Profile a local politician and trace their career path.
- Compare different forms of government around the world.
- Explain differences between the House and Senate.
- Study how political parties shape policy priorities.
- Research the impact of political action committees on elections.
- Examine how data analysis and polling are used in political campaigns.
- Debate the merits of the electoral college system.
- Evaluate arguments for and against congressional term limits.
- Investigate how redistricting impacts election results.
- Profile landmark Supreme Court cases and their impact.
- Examine high-profile trials and the role of juries.
- Research how laws are created at local, state and national levels.
- Evaluate strengths and weaknesses of the juvenile justice system.
- Document the steps from arrest to trial for a criminal case.
- Analyze historical trends in crime and incarceration rates.
- Debate policing policies like body cameras and civil asset forfeiture.
- Study mandatory minimum sentencing laws and their effects.
- Compare police training and use of force policies.
- Examine how media coverage sways high profile trials.
- Create a timeline of key moments in U.S. voting rights.
- Profile important government whistleblowers.
- Analyze successes and failures of Reconstruction.
- Explain the adoption of key Constitutional amendments.
- Explore the rise of political machines in the 1800s.
- Document the growth of unions and progressive reforms in the early 1900s.
- Research the internment of Japanese Americans during WWII.
- Profile major congressional investigations like Watergate.
- Analyze past presidential elections and outcomes.
- Compare historical events to their portrayal in films and media.
- Debate immigration policies, DACA and paths to citizenship.
- Evaluate costs and benefits of environmental regulations.
- Research the charter school and Common Core movements.
- Examine how zoning policies shape communities.
- Analyze arguments surrounding gun control regulations.
- Explore challenges like obesity, addiction and mental health.
- Profile advocacy groups and their influence on public policy.
- Investigate agricultural policies and subsidies.
- Research policies on homelessness and affordable housing.
- Study how infrastructure projects are funded and prioritized.
- Volunteer on a political campaign or with an advocacy group.
- Help register students and others to vote.
- Create informational materials to educate others on a topic.
- Organize a debate on a controversial issue with cited facts.
- Launch a petition for a policy change at school or locally.
- Plan a community forum to discuss solutions to a local problem.
- Create a guide for contacting elected representatives.
- Profile and support civic organizations working for change.
- Document a local issue through interviews, photos and research.
- Volunteer with groups providing services to those in need.
- Analyze the criminal trial process step-by-step.
- Review the history of gerrymandering and its impact.
- Explain how bills become laws at the federal level.
- Explore diverse viewpoints on tax policy.
- Evaluate the role of media in shaping political narratives.
- Research how the federal budget and debt ceiling are determined.
- Document the timeline and key events of a historical political movement.
- Profile federal agencies and departments and their scope.
- Analyze the arguments around U.S. foreign policy decisions.
- Examine debates over healthcare policy and insurance reform.
- Create an overview of major social movements and their goals.
- Research how economic policies are developed and critiqued.
- Profile landmark cases related to civil rights and liberties.
- Volunteer with a local government office.
- Start an advocacy group to address a community need.
- Organize a mock Congressional hearing on a topic.
- Develop an action plan for electoral reform.
- Design an infographic explaining how a bill becomes a law.
- Compare policies and politics in the U.S. to other countries.
- Start a podcast covering local government issues.
- Create a public service announcement on an issue.
- Launch a social media campaign for a cause.
- Organize a voter registration event.
- Volunteer as a poll worker on election day.
- Attend and report on public government meetings.
- Start a blog covering politics and policy.
- Manage a campaign for student government.
- Organize a debate watch event and discussion.
- Develop a plan to increase youth voting and turnout.
- Create a “get out the vote” awareness campaign.
- Make a documentary on a local political or social justice issue.
Final words,
Civics projects teach critical skills while engaging students in our democracy. These ideas offer starting points to tailor hands-on learning experiences for your high school students.