On May 8, the Copiague Middle School social studies department hosted its fourth annual Civics Fair, highlighting student voice, civic engagement and community problem solving. More than 40 students participated in the event, presenting projects focused on important school and local community issues.

As part of the New York State Civic Readiness initiative, all seventh grade social studies students complete a Civic Capstone Project in which they research a local issue meaningful to them through background research, interviews and surveys. Students then develop action plans designed to address the issues they explored.
The projects featured at the Civics Fair were selected by a committee of teachers in recognition of their outstanding work, creativity and thoughtful research. In addition to the Capstone presentations, the social studies department also sponsored a Civic Readiness Poster Contest, where students designed posters addressing school and community concerns. The winning posters were voted on by fellow seventh grade social studies students.

Congratulations to the following winners:

Poster Contest:
Most Creative: Kaitlyn Harley
Most Original: Marcus Espinal
Best Message: Camila Nunez
Teacher Choices: Emily Montano Zepeda and Frangely Espinal Valerio
Best Overall: Isabella Herrera

Civics Fair:
Third place: Body Image
(Aryana Matusewicz, Gabriella Olszowy. Zoe Espinal Castro and Kerline Camille)

Second Place: Mind Matters
(Sophia Charles)
 
First Place: The Vaping Trap
(Anala Amin, Selena Yangpatty and Emily Diedrick)