Types of Service as Action

What are the types of action can students do for the community project? How can students make the biggest impact on the community they wish to support?

Direct Service

Interaction that involves people, the environment or animals. Examples include one-on-one tutoring, developing a garden alongside refugees, or teaching dogs behaviors to prepare them for adoption. (IB Projects Guide, 2015)

• Great for: Students who like hands-on/active learning and enjoy people, animals or the outdoors.

• Keep in mind: Many organizations require parent supervision, and you will need transportation if working outside of your community.

Indirect Service

Though students do not see the recipients during indirect service, they have verified that their actions will benefit the community or environment. Examples include redesigning an organization’s website, writing original picture books to teach a language or raising fish to restore a stream. (IB Projects Guide, 2015)

• Great for: Students who do not meet age requirements or do not have transportation. Students who may feel uncomfortable working with the public, animals, or the environment. Students with health issues.

• Keep in mind: Some projects may require special skills or financial consideration (purchasing of supplies).

Advocacy

Students speak on behalf of a cause or concern to promote action on an issue of public interest. Examples include initiating an awareness campaign on hunger in the community, performing a play on replacing bullying with respect or creating a video on sustainable water solutions. (IB Projects Guide, 2015)

• Great for: Students with excellent communication skills, persuasive skills. Students who love social media. Students who do not meet age requirements or do not have transportation.

• Keep in mind: Advocacy is about reaching the largest number of people. The plan should include ideas for tracking how large of a population you may be reaching.

Research

Students collect information through varied sources, analyse data and report on a topic of importance to influence policy or practice. Examples include conducting environmental surveys to influence their school, contributing to a study of animal migration patterns, or compiling the most effective means to reduce litter in public spaces. (IB Projects Guide, 2015)

• Great for: Students feel strongly about an issue, but might not have the power to implement it. Students who love conducting surveys, analyzing data, and researching.

• Keep in mind: Research should be presented to someone who can take action (e.g. school board, community council, PTSA, local government representatives). If no one sees the research who can take action on it, the research will not serve the community.