School-Based Model Service-Learning/PBL Projects

Beat Michigan! Beat Cancer! Racing to Beat Ovarian Cancer

By Katie Benton, Barrington Elementary, Upper Arlington City Schools, Upper Arlington, Ohio

Fourth graders created a 5K Walk/Run and 1-mile Fun Run to raise awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer and raise money for research to find a cure. The idea for this project resulted from the recent loss of a student’s mother to this disease. Read more.

Hastings et Haïti

Hunger at Home and Beyond

By Liz Stimer, Genoa Middle School, Westerville City Schools, Westerville, Ohio

Seventh grade math students at Genoa Middle School investigated hunger and poverty in the community, across the nation, and globally, so that they could educate other students and members of the community and transform a traditional food drive into a meaningful service-learning experience. Read more. 

Science in Action . . . Multiage Invasive Species Removal and Replacement

By Pam Bergen and Michelle Persichetti, Tremont Elementary School, and Jane Hunt, Upper Arlington High School, Upper Arlington Schools,  Upper Arlington, Ohio

Invasive plant species are nearly everywhere. Approximately 5% of our city, Upper Arlington, Ohio, is wooded, and 90% of our wooded areas have invasive problems. High school students and 3rd grade students partnered together to understand each other and the environment around them, as well as to help remove invasive species from one of our city parks. Read more.

Build-A-Boat: Set Sail with St. James

By Vicki Petrella and Colleen Gomez, St. James the Less School, Diocese of Columbus, Columbus, Ohio

Our students answered a call for help from a Precious Blood Mission in India that serves a community devastated by the December 26, 2004 tsunami in the Indian Ocean. They built a boat, which restored a family’s income; built a daycare center; and revived a village’s sense of hope. Read more.

Lean on Me for Haiti

By Molly Miely, Jones Middle School, Upper Arlington City Schools, Upper Arlington, Ohio

Sixth graders at Jones Middle School used their collective academic and natural gifts to address a critical medical need in 
Haiti, and in doing so, realized they can make a difference in the lives of others. Read more.

Emerson's Children's Safe Drinking Water Project

By Beth Dalin and Mary Taylor, Emerson Elementary Magnet School, Westerville City Schools, Westerville, Ohio

The students at Emerson World Languages and Cultures Magnet School, learned about the need for safe drinking water around the world and realized that a small group of committed children can make a big difference. Read more.

Learning About Sport-Related Traumatic Brain Injuries

By Pam Reed, Buckeye Middle School, Columbus Public Schools, Columbus, Ohio

Traumatic Brain Injuries are a leading cause of injury among youth. Proper prevention and awareness of the issue can help to save innocent lives. Traumatic brain injuries are especially prevalent in athletic youth. The eighth grade language arts classes at Buckeye Middle School helped to raise awareness among youth and helped to keep their fellow student athletes safe. Read more.

Archived Model Projects

Download lots of great K-12 service-learning projects written by terrific educators in rural, urban, and suburban settings.

Disaster Relief

• Build-A-Boat: Set Sail with St. James (middle school level)
• Lean on Me for Haiti

Health and Wellness

• Beat Michigan! Beat Cancer! Racing to Beat Ovarian Cancer (elementary level)
• Emerson's Children's Safe Drinking Water Project (elementary level)
•  Learning About Sports-Related Traumatic Brain Injuries

Hunger/Homelessness/
Poverty

• Hunger at Home and Beyond (middle school level)

Environmental

• Science in Action . . . Multiage Invasive Species Removal and Replacement (high school/elementary level)