Project Service Leadership

Riverdale Students provide a wide variety of service to the community throughout the second and third semesters of the school year. The actions students take are directed directly related to the essential question they have formulated and researched. The strongest projects seem to combine authentic service and continued learning.

Examples of strong culminating projects:

Victoria was curious how family rituals foster the healthy development of children. After researching this topic she and six other Riverdale students developed a leadership and communications course for children at an elementary school to share what she and the other students had learned. She focused on ways to promote positive communication at home. She played a key role in developing the partnership with the elementary school, , designeding the curriculum and establisheding a program that continues to serve low-income children, in the year following her senior exhibition.

Example Work:

Reflection Paper (DOC)

Research Paper (DOC)

Presentation (PPT)

Jeff, deeply concerned about global warming, did extensive research into the topic. He then took the lead in establishing a sustainability symposium at the school offering workshops and presentations on a variety of topics related to sustainability. The strength of this action lay in part in the rippling effects of the symposium. Students at the school are interested in making it an annual event and many of the ideas discussed at the symposium have resulted in local action. Students are advocating that the school become a certified green school and are initiating an assessment of school practices. Check out a YouTube Video below:

Example Work:

Reflection Paper (DOC)

Research Paper (DOC)

Presentation (PPT)

Katherine was interested is how Indian reservations could generate funds that are in the best interest of the short and long term health of tribes . She approached the Native American Youth Association to determine how she could support their efforts. They asked her to put together a report on generational trauma and she presented that research to the organization. . Her research project and service learning affected each other as her understanding grew.

Example Work:

Reflection Paper (DOC)

Research Paper (DOC)

Presentation (PPT)

Below is a list of Eessential Questions and the action taken by other members of Riverdale’sthe 2008 graduating class. Through their research and conversations they developed a broad array of civic actions including volunteering, advocacy, teaching others, public presentations, using what they have learned to take action through service.

Student Essential Question	Service-Learning Project
Aja R.: How do leaders lead and what can we learn from them to improve ourselves and our communities?	Aja provided an inspirational/leadership week at Riverdale High School.
Anna B.: How has the sub culture of Anime been integrated into American culture? How has it influenced pop culture?	Anna started an Anime club at RHS introducing a new and diverse culture to our school.
Ben R.: How can the video game rating system be made fair to both the producers and consumers of video games?	Ben hosted a parent awareness night that educated parents on how to know what games and TV shows are appropriate for their children.
Eleanor J.: What is the most effective way to treat anorexia nervosa in adolescent girls?	Eleanor made a brochure of data, statistics, symptoms and places to get treatment for anorexia. She also presented her findings to a class at Portland State University.
Evan P.: How will emissions trading impact American industry in ten years?	Evan helped research the installation of solar panels at RHS.
Harpreet D.: What is the biggest contributing factor that Americans have control over to the increasing rates to childhood obesity in America?	Harpeet taught a 10th grade health class regarding the issues of childhood obesity and how it can be prevented.
Jamie F.: What does medical malpractice litigation have on a physician’s practice, and what is the best way for physicians to better handle and or avoid suits?	Jamie made and distributed a brochure on the dangers of medical malpractice.
Kane H.: Can wind be used effectively to power our nation?	Kane created and submitted a proposal for using wind energy in a remote Eastern Oregon town where he had done service work.
Laurel P.: How could rainwater harvesting and ecoroofs increase efficiency of water use and management in the Portland Metropolitan area?	Laurel established a connection between Lewis and Clark College and the Riverdale Community. She gave a presentation advocating for implementation of green building strategies and water management systems at Riverdale Grade School.
Matt T.: Can classical, new age, and chant music improve the listening sections of the brain?	Published a pamphlet for the community regarding learning disabilities and the positive effects of music on them.
Renae B.: What factors have led to the problem of Type 2 Diabetes in children and teens and who should be held accountable?	Created a low-calorie, cheap, easy recipe book for low-income families and newly housed homeless using ingredients from Food Bank donations.
Robin B.: Should the U.S. use Nuclear Power as a primary energy source?	Robin created a web page on the Sherwood town website to help inform his community about the nuclear power possibilities and how it wasn’t anything like a nuclear "warhead".
Sam R.: What role should hydrogen fuel cells play in our future?	Sam created a proposal for the installation of a fuel cell for the Riverdale Grade School or High School and presented via video to the school board.
Sam W.: How can Christianity and Islam coexist without violence?	Sam developed and moderated a website to promote interfaith talk on Facebook.
Taylor M.: Why should the Federal minimum wage be a living wage?	Taylor worked at the Blanchet House in NW Portland. He is preparing and handing out the food to homeless people.
Victoria G.: How can relational aggression be identified and alleviated?	She incorporated a reconciliation process into Wildhorse. This gives students the opportunity and steps to resolve conflicts with peers.