PVC Middle School Ignites CHANGE with Inspiring Research Projects and Presentations

At Pierre Van Cortlandt Middle School, a wave of enthusiasm for social change is sweeping through the classrooms as students embrace the district’s interdisciplinary approach to education and take ownership of their learning. Through their Passion and CHANGE Projects, eighth-graders are identifying and delving into issues they care about, conducting research, and sharing their findings with teachers, peers, and parents. Just before Spring Recess, students proudly delivered their CHANGE presentations, the culmination of a project that began at the beginning of the school year. This initiative not only inspires young minds but also builds skills in research, critical thinking, and public speaking.

The CHANGE Project empowers students to explore an issue of their choice, and this year saw a wide array, including global challenges like healthcare, immigration, climate change, and abortion, along with school-focused ideas such as later start times and mental health days.

Each project, most of which is completed outside of class, begins with a simple yet powerful step: identifying a change they want to see. Students then connect disciplines like history, science, and language arts to present a well-rounded perspective. The process strengthens academic skills while encouraging civic engagement.

For the presentation, students set up a board or laptop to showcase their research and possible solutions, and then share their ideas with a steady stream of teachers, peers, and parents who approach them. The initiative engages both parties and fosters thoughtful dialogue and community connection.

The parent of an eighth grader who was presenting said that she attended because she wanted to take the opportunity to see her child present and learn about the topics about which her friends are passionate. “This is a wonderful project and shows how the students are in touch with so many important topics in the world today,” she said.

Among the diverse topics explored, one student focused on gambling, including the growing issue of adolescents engaging in the activity. Inspired by friendly games of poker with friends, he researched how and why this behavior can cross the line into addiction. He uncovered a sharp increase in gambling among 10- to 14-year-olds and created a sophisticated website that included statistics, links to related issues like depression, and a self-assessment quiz to help peers recognize early warning signs of addictive behavior. Another student looked at the ‘fast fashion’ industry and how clothes are made with cheap labor and materials, glut the market, and then are disposed of. She addressed the many effects of fast fashion and one solution -  something she happens to enjoy, which is choosing to go thrifting for used clothes rather than buying new. 

Principal Michael Plotkin said, “This project helps students develop skills on many levels—finding a topic they care about, conducting research, critically thinking about solutions to a well-defined problem, and presenting to different groups.” His remarks capture the multifaceted benefits of this initiative, which extends learning beyond the classroom.

By allowing students to dive into topics they care about, the CHANGE project encourages deep learning, creativity, and personal growth. In today’s complex world, these experiences remind us that education is about more than academic success—it’s about empowering students to make meaningful contributions to their communities and beyond.