Project Citizen is a portfolio-based program in which middle or high school students research a problem in their community and attempt to resolve it through public policy. This program helps teachers and students better understand public policy and empowers them to use this information to create change in their community. 

For the showcase, Arizona utilizes an e-portfolio and teams electronically submit their projects in the form of a website, slideshow, etc. The portfolio contains 4 parts: The problem, possible solutions, their chosen solution, and the steps that would need to be taken to enact the proposed solutions. The teams must include research to support their findings and a clear public policy to address the issue. Judges evaluate the e-portfolios for each category and ensure that a public policy is included in their solution. 

Judging occurs virtually within a 2-week period using a Foundation provided evaluation sheet that will provide guidance to scoring. Judges may submit their scoresheets anytime from March 18 - March 31. To view previous e-portfolios, please visit Project Citizen Portfolios.
 

Showcase Overview

The State Project Citizen showcase is held each year, in which teams present their e-portfolios and presentations on a problem in their community and their action plan for solving it before community members on judging panels. The top 10 winning teams of each regional showcases are invited to compete in the State Showcase held in Phoenix. The e-portfolio winner of the State Showcase is eligible to send their portfolio to the National Showcase held in July.    

The Project Citizen showcases are available to all Arizona middle and high school classrooms.

The Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education is committed to equitable treatment and the recognition of the rights of all individuals to mutual respect and to be treated fairly. All organizational efforts throughout all programs, by both staff and volunteers, are directed towards creating an environment that is based on these values.

To view the Foundation's volunteer overview video, please click here!

If you are not available to serve as a judge or timer, but would like to make a contribution to the program, please click here to donate online or send a check to:

Showcase Overview

The State Project Citizen showcase is held each year, in which teams present their portfolios and oral presentations on a problem in their community and their action plan for solving it before community members on judging panels. The top 10 winning teams of each regional showcase, the teams with the most convincing presentations, are invited to compete in the State Showcase held in Phoenix. The portfolio winner of the State Showcase is eligible to send their portfolio to the National Showcase held in July. Recognized as one of the top programs in the country, Arizona's portfolios showcased at the National showcase have won Superior awards consistently over the past 20 years.   

The Project Citizen showcases are available to all Arizona middle and high school classrooms.

Please complete your registration no later than April 18, 2025.

For Showcase Documents, please click here!

If you are not available to serve as a timer, but would like to make a contribution to the program, please click here to donate online or send a check to:

Showcase Overview

The State Project Citizen showcase is held each year, in which teams present their portfolios and oral presentations on a problem in their community and their action plan for solving it before community members on judging panels. The top 10 winning teams of each regional showcase, the teams with the most convincing presentations, are invited to compete in the State Showcase held in Phoenix. The portfolio winner of the State Showcase is eligible to send their portfolio to the National Showcase held in July. Recognized as one of the top programs in the country, Arizona's portfolios showcased at the National showcase have won Superior awards consistently over the past 20 years.   

The students will present their project before a panel of judges. Their presentations will include 4 minutes of prepared speech and 6 minutes of follow-up questions. Judges can use their own questions or they can use questions provided by the Foundation. There are two rounds and each round lasts about an hour. Volunteering at this event includes the following:

• Attending a judge orientation where you confer with your judging panel (breakfast included)
• 2 rounds of judging
• Lunch and attendance at the awards ceremony (optional)

The Project Citizen showcases are available to all Arizona middle and high school classrooms.

Please complete your registration no later than April 18, 2025.

If you are not available to serve as a judge, but would like to make a contribution to the program, please click here to donate online or send a check to: