Sussex Academy civics students presented month-long research projects on local and state needs to legislators, community members and families during the inaugural Project Citizen event Jan. 15 in the school cafetorium.

Seventh grade civics/economics teacher Scott Bleile Jr. said the gallery walk and discussion allowed students to present their final projects in a science fair type setting. Projects were completely student-led, Bleile said.

“As they begin to navigate the world of public policy and politics in my class, they are learning how to research and develop solutions to problems that extend beyond the school and into local and state politics,” Bleile said. “They are too young to vote, so I am encouraging and promoting this collaborative project that extends beyond the classroom.”

Students devised their own group research based on a local or state need, including littering, food waste, pedestrian safety and deforestation.

Many students reached out to legislators for assistance with their research. Each group was required to research current Delaware policies, create several possible solutions, and lobby current lawmakers from Delaware and other states about one solution they settled on.

Sen. Russ Huxtable attended the event after working with students Lexi Caccamise, Anna Liang and Sophia Savenyuk on their coastal flooding project. Huxtable also facilitated opportunities for students to engage with state employees related to their policy area.

“They asked a series of questions about coastal flooding, especially noting the concerns of coastal storms and rising sea levels, and increased development,” Huxtable said. “I answered a series of questions for them and got them in touch with DNREC and folks from the Division of climate, coastal and energy.”

Milford Mayor F. Todd Culotta also visited with students, remarking he was impressed with the strength of their research.