One of the greatest benefits of learning outside of the classroom is the knowledge that students bring home with them, especially when students turn their knowledge into action. Through our new Think Globally, Act Locally Contest, WorldStrides challenges you to bring this learning home and give back to your local community by developing a community service project proposal with your students based on the knowledge that you will gain on your WorldStrides program.
The top three proposals submitted by October 15, 2008, will win a cash grant to go toward the implementation of their proposed service project, as well as a pizza party for up to 100 program participants!

First Place: $1,500
Second Place: $750
Third Place: $500

This competition is open to WorldStrides Program Leaders with travel dates between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2009. The top three proposals will be chosen by WorldStrides' Director of Education based on their creativity and potential for success.

How to enter:
Download and complete a Proposal Form (click here to download the form).
Mail the completed Proposal Form by October 15, 2008, to WorldStrides:

Think Globally, Act Locally Contest, c/o Morgan Crawford
590 Peter Jefferson Parkway, Suite 300
Charlottesville, VA 22911

Project ideas:
This contest was inspired by the impact that a class field trip had on Mountain Ridge Middle School students and, ultimately, their entire community:

In October 2007, a windstorm ignited a large wildfire just a few miles away from Mountain Ridge Middle School in Colorado. Once the fire had been extinguished, seventh and eighth students from Mountain Ridge visited the site of the fire to answer the question "What are the human and environmental impacts of wildfires?" After their visit, students returned to school with a newfound understanding of wildfires and were able to develop a set of guidelines for their local fire department to help prevent future wildfires and protect their community against future disasters. (Story adapted from "Teams in Action: Seizing the Teachable Moment," Middle Ground Magazine, February 2008.)

Here are a few sample project ideas pertaining to WorldStrides destinations:

  • Washington, D.C. - Host a Veteran's Day activity to honor local veterans; search for their names on the Vietnam Memorial Wall during your trip.
  • New York City - Host a "Melting Pot Pot Luck" dinner to celebrate diversity in your school; discuss the importance of diversity at Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty
  • Florida Science - Spread the word about water quality in your local community; learn how humans affect water and soil quality in Florida
  • Europe - Start a Community Arts program to bring art, music, and theatre to low income families in your community; discuss the impact that the arts have had on humanity as you view famous masterpieces in Europe

Contest guidelines:

  • Only one proposal submission is permitted per WorldStrides program. Proposals should meet all of the following requirements:
    • No longer than 750 words in length. Additional text will be disregarded.
    • Proposals must be typed on this form. Do not use a binder, folder, or plastic cover sheet to bind the essay.
    • Each page of the essay should include Program Leader/ teacher name and trip ID number.
  • To receive a prize, winning groups must travel on the WorldStrides program scheduled at the time of contest entry.
  • A proposal must be accompanied by a fully completed application form with appropriate signatures to be eligible for consideration. No entries submitted via e-mail will be accepted - all must be mailed to the above address.
  • All entries submitted to WorldStrides must be postmarked by October 15, 2008.
  • WorldStrides' Director of Education will select the four best proposals. The winners will be notified by November 15, 2008. At that time, the names of the three winners will be published at www.worldstrides.org/thinkglobally.
  • Prize money may only be used by the winning Program Leaders and must be applied toward implementing the proposed community service project. The winners must notify WorldStrides by November 25, 2008, as to whether they will accept the prize money. If a Program Leader has not responded after this date, WorldStrides reserves the right to choose an alternate winner.