Page 165 - Cultural Studies of Science Education

142 J. Ponder and A. Cox-Peterson

service, joining a civic organization, or supporting fund-raising efforts to promote
action and change. Electoral activities include voting, persuading others, and volun-
teering to promote government initiatives or community needs. Having a political
voice includes writing or meeting with decision-makers, creating or supporting
petitions, and protesting. Keeter et al. also created a list of core indicators of
engagement. These areas include:
1. Civic activities – Community problem solving, regular volunteering within the
community, active membership within a group, participating in fund-raising
efforts, and raising money for a cause or charity.
2. Electoral activities – Regular voting, persuading others to vote or participate,
displaying buttons or signs in support of candidates or initiatives, volunteering
for candidates or causes.
3. Having a political voice – Contacting political officials or other decision-makers,
protesting, boycotting, contacting print or broadcast media, creating or participating
in written petitions, and canvassing (going door to door to discuss concerns,
causes, or express views).

Although the Ketter et al. (2002) core indicators of civic engagement are created
for young Americans, ages 15–25, it is important that teachers in grades K-8 integrate
activities that build knowledge, background, and motivation to engage in civic
activities. Below you will find specific examples of how fourth and fifth grade
students incorporated the three areas of civic activities, electoral activities, and having
a political voice into their service-learning project.
Civic activities: A group of fourth and fifth grade students raised over $10,000 to
help a local toddler’s family pay for a very expensive surgery not covered by the
family’s insurance plan. The students raised the money by starting a community
recycling center at their school site and building partnerships with local
businesses.

Electoral activities: The same fourth and fifth graders from the example above
conducted research to learn more about the presidential candidates before the 2008
primary election. Since their fund-raising project was related to health care, the
students focused on the candidates’ proposed health care plans. After learning
about specific candidates, the students wrote a letter to the candidate of their choice
and expressed their support for proposed policies. An example of a fourth grade
student’s letter is included below:
Letter to Senator Hillary Clinton
Dear Senator Hillary Clinton,
Here at Good Citizens Elementary School, the fourth and fifth grade combination class has
been given a chance to write to a candidate. I picked you because you have many excellent
ideas to help us and our world. I love your ideas about Universal Healthcare. Our class has
been trying to raise money for a little girl’s operation; she has a rare disease called Moebius
Syndrome. This disease affects the sixth and seventh cranial nerves, which means she can-
not smile or make any other facial expressions. She is only 3 years old and her insurance
company thinks of this surgery as plastic surgery, so they won’t cover the operation fee.