10/22/2026
YOUR VOICE MATTERS! ENGAGE IN A LOCAL CIVICS PROJECT WITH THE SMITHSONIAN!
Explore your community's past and present to identify a local changemaker - an individual or organization - that has made a positive impact on the place you call home.
The Smithsonian will guide you through your project as you research the changemaker you've chosen, including any relevant history, who is or has been affected, and what changes have been brought about.
You will be required to interview 1-2 people from your community who are connected to your changemaker.
You can complete this project as an individual or part of a team.
You will work with a team of 4-H professionals who will serve as mentors to help you navigate your project, provide accountability and guidance, and a Smithsonian guidebook will be provided. Smithsonian experts will also be available to assist with project development. Each week, you will have a project goal and/or assignment that will need to be completed. We understand that some weeks are busier than others and will be as flexible as possible with regard to due dates.
Together, we will learn about community issues, share our voice, and pull together a compelling story/narrative about the issue. Your final project will be a 5-10 minute video.
Open to youth ages 10 -19*
*youth in grades 9+ can work independently, but younger youth must participate as part of a team.
For more information and/or to register, visit: https://go.rutgers.edu/stories4history
Questions? Contact Abbie Kesely at the Rutgers 4-H Office: [email protected]
View the Smithsonian Flyer here for more information:
https://rutgers.box.com/s/iu93jvlii7on96utv3p45nhxjv8j303p
Space is limited! Apply here by November 2: https://rutgers.box.com/s/iu93jvlii7on96utv3p45nhxjv8j303p
