Have you ever been to a museum exhibit that made you think?  Has a park ever inspired you to change something about society?  Maybe after seeing an exhibit about the civil rights movement you were inspired to see what you could do at your school?  Or after seeing a lot of trash in a park, you were more aware of pollution and your effect on the environment?  Trying to make a difference in society…that is civic engagement!  Even just participating in your community can be civic engagement!

Throughout history, students have often been the biggest factor in social change.  Just think of the Freedom Rides during the Civil Rights Movement.  Those were mostly students who participated.  So I am looking for your opinion!  I would love to get your feedback on these four questions below!

1.         What does civic engagement mean to you?  Have you ever participated (even if you didn’t know it?)

2.       Has a museum or a park ever made you think?  What park or exhibit was it and why was it important to you?

3.       How can we use technology and new media (facebook, twitter, youtube, foursquare, flickr, blogs, etc.) to encourage people to not only think, but to do something about it?

4.       What about the National Mall?  Think about the memorials and what they stand for.  How can the National Mall encourage civic engagement?

The National Park Service (NPS) Embraces Civic Engagement:  http://www.nps.gov/civic/about/index.html

National Park Service (NPS) Resources for Civic Engagement:  http://www.nps.gov/civic/resources/index.html

Collaboration and Civic Engagement (NPS Conservation Study Institute): http://www.nps.gov/civic/resources/Leading%20in%20a%20Collaborative%20Environment%20FINAL%2010-27-10.pdf