Step Up Loudoun Youth Competition 2018

Sponsored by: Presented by: In partnership with: Step Up Loudoun Youth Competition 2018

What is Step Up? The first Step Up was held in 2005 as a way to bring students and adults together in a dialogue that was believed to help identify the needs of the youth. We wanted to LISTEN to the youth and give them a VOICE. In 2010, Step Up was transformed into a program that empowers the youth themselves to take positive and impactful actions to make their communities a better place to live, to get an education and to play. Youth identify the issues that matter to them and they TAKE ACTION to create solutions! Step Up Loudoun Youth Competition 2018

How do you Step Up? Identify a topic important to you Research the topic to become educated about it Develop and implement an action plan or solution Register by December 15, 2017 for SULYC Attend an Orientation Session in January Prepare and practice a 5 minute presentation Present your project at the Main Competition on April 5, 2018 at LCPS Admin Building The top 10 teams move into the Finals to determine their cash prizes on April 12, 2018 Step Up Loudoun Youth Competition 2018

Personalize Your Project Identify an Issue: Health & Wellness Academic & Social Stress Support for Others Substance Abuse Hunger & Homelessness Environmental Issues Education Develop an Action Plan How will YOU Make a Difference? Plan a Rally Start a Website Raise Awareness of your Topic Hold a Fundraiser Start a Club Step Up Loudoun Youth Competition 2018

What’s a Team? You can work: Alone With a friend With a group of friends With a whole class! Be on a team with people who are passionate about the topic! They can be from other schools, sports teams, clubs or religious groups. Step Up Loudoun Youth Competition 2018

What does the competition look like What does the competition look like? It’s sort of like a science fair, but with community issues! Four Components Issue Analysis Solution Quality Community Impact Presentation Step Up Loudoun Youth Competition 2018

Issue Analysis Investigate why the problem happens – the root cause Analyze how it impacts your school or community Find out if people have tried to solve this problem before – what roadblocks did they run into? Step Up Loudoun Youth Competition 2018

Solution Quality Create a detailed solution (who? what? when? where? how?) Connect the solution to the problem – does it really address the issue? Collect data to show how your solution is making/will make an impact on your community Step Up Loudoun Youth Competition 2018

Community Impact P.A.S.T.A. We’re All Human Over 92 community service projects Youth create their service projects! 12+ chapters Long lasting program! Woodgrove students organize walk to raise awareness of teen suicide. Spread to at least five different high schools. Step Up Loudoun Youth Competition 2018

Presentation Remember who your audience is and what they might already know (or don’t know!) Be specific – go through the important details that shaped your project Share your passion! Get the audience excited about your project. Step Up Loudoun Youth Competition 2018

Ready to Register? Go to www.loudounyouth.org Fill out ONE Project Registration Form per team Fill out the Team Member Registration Form, one for EACH team member Make sure to use the same Project Title for each form! Step Up Loudoun Youth Competition 2018

LCPS Administration Building When do you Step Up? April 5, 2018 6-9pm LCPS Administration Building 21000 Education Court Step Up Loudoun Youth Competition 2018

Believing that within you is an ability to change the world is the first step in making a difference. -Dan Waldschmidt Step Up Loudoun Youth Competition 2018

Questions? Registration is open 10/2 – 12/15, 2018 at www.loudounyouth.org Michelle Jones Loudoun Youth, Inc., Program Director mjones@loudounyouth.org 703-626-4888 (call or text) Step Up Loudoun Youth Competition 2018