| Component | Details | 
| Definition | °Õ³ó±ðÌý2e. Middle School Capstone ProjectÌýprovides students with a meaningful civic experience before high school. 
Students complete the project under teacher guidance, focusing on the following elements:
Identify an issueÌý(local, state, national, or global).Apply civic knowledge, skills, actions, and mindsetsÌýto address the issue.Reflect on their learning.Present the projectÌýto a wider audience (advisor/teacher and classmates).A service option may be included but is not required. | 
| Seal of Civic Readiness Committee Responsibilities | 
Form a Seal of Civic Readiness Committee composed of three or more educators, including at least one social studies teacher.Collaborates with teachers to develop project ideas and evaluation criteria.Reviews projects to determine if students meet the criteria for one point of credit toward the Seal of Civic Readiness.At the middle school level, students are not required to present to the full committee. | 
| Teacher Responsibilities | 
Guide students in identifying and researching a civic issue of interest.Support students in developing either aÌýService Action PlanÌýor aÌýDetailed Action Plan:
Service Action Plan:ÌýCreate a plan to address an issue and complete service hours.Detailed Action Plan:ÌýAnalyze research, evaluate solutions, and propose a strategy to address the issue.Ensure all student contacts with outside organizations follow school procedures.Facilitate project presentations to an advisor/teacher and classmates. | 
| Student Responsibilities | 
Identify a relevant civic issue (examples: hunger, climate change, human rights).Develop a guiding question and research using multiple primary and secondary sources.Complete one of the following:
Service Action PlanÌýto engage in community service.Detailed Action PlanÌýanalyzing the issue and recommending solutions.Reflect on their civic learning experience and its impact on their role in the community.Present their project to a teacher/advisor and a group of peers. | 
| Resources | See Toolkit Appendix R: Middle School Capstone Project Essential Elements |