Unique EC Ideas for Humanities/Politics

<p>Has anyone done anything unique in the History, International Relations, Politics area? These are subjects I enjoy very much and I am looking for ideas to get engaged in for next year. </p>

<p>Any ideas? </p>

<p>Btw, I already know about the generic History EC's like NHD and Concord Review. Any other UNIQUE ideas?</p>

<p>At the top of my head: </p>

<p>Do you have any upcoming elections where you live? Offer to volunteer to promote the campaign of a runner. </p>

<p>Do you have a local newspaper? Maybe they're looking for help in their columns. Newspapers always cover local politics. </p>

<p>Are you computer-orientated and a good writer? Create a website or a blog that features your weakly analysis on national news. Most blogs are crap, so if you have one that is well-written, informative, and witty, you never know. You may develop a strong following. </p>

<p>Do you have a public-access community channel? Several of them? Contact producers to see if they need volunteers. The jobs may be trivial, but you may have the opportunity to be at the forefront of your local politics. In my community channel, a lot of features and shows are about local issues pertaining to education, city problems, elections, etc. </p>

<p>Do you live near an area where there are a few immigrant/minority newspapers? Contact their offices. Again, see if they need help. A lot of times these foreign newspapers are relating stories that are happening abroad to their audiences. In addition, they offer a different perspective to community affairs, and you may be able to pick up a new language or cultural awareness. </p>

<p>Do you live near a city? There are usually minority organizations headquatered in cities engaging in grassroots promotion of their ideals and building their voice in city and state affairs. Contact Coordinators, see what you can do. </p>

<p>Do you have an ESL program at local elementary, middle, high schools, and community colleges? Volunteer. International Relations is just as much cultural as political. </p>

<p>Are their organizations, programs, non-profits that help disadvantaged populations where you live? Again, volunteer. </p>

<p>Are you interested in epidemiology? It's the study and research of issues that effect public health. Every year, there's this national epidemiology competition that is lucrative and prestigious. Maybe, you should find a political problem, study how and why it affects certain populations, and enter your results in the competition. Some examples of studies would why are some immigrant populations more successful than others, how effective are community colleges compared to universities, is private schools really better than public schools and, if so, why are some public school superior to private schools, or vice versa, etc. </p>

<p>Have you ever thought about doing independent study? Maybe, submitting a paper of original insight to journals and reviews? </p>

<p>Ever thought about doing a foreign exchange program?</p>

<p>Ever thought about e-mailing professors of near-by schools to help in their research? </p>

<p>Ever thought about volunteering in Museums or organizing an exhibit at school or at a community center? </p>

<p>Ever thought about taking a secret road trip to historical landmarks and creating a portfolio of journal entries, interviews, photos, and articles and live to tell about it in your college applications? </p>

<p>Ever thought about establish a deep relationship with a history or English teacher at school, discussing and learning philosophies of leaders and writers, revolutionaries and non-conformists? Even simply raising your hand in class a little more than common, asking a little more questions, being a little more attentive, revealing a little more about yourself, your personal life, your goals and dreams will be enough to secure a good recommendation when time comes.</p>

<p>Start a history club, name it the Dante Club or something, try to engage students in it, make it like the Dead Poets' Society or something. </p>

<p>Think out of the box, A-san. There's nothing wrong with those generic activities, especially if you place well in them. In fact, they could be worth their weight in gold. But, you don't need any outstanding activity to verify your passion in the humanities and politics. Sometimes the most frivolous yet quirky and audacious ideas make the greatest adventures, the greatest tales, and the greatest applications.</p>

<p>Man, Private Joker has really good ideas. </p>

<p>Joker, could you give me some ideas for Artistic Gardening/Planting/Horticultural Activities? </p>

<p>I do have some ideas and planning to do, but can you come up with some? Thanks!</p>

<p>Excellent ideas Private Joker! Your brilliant. I am definately going to write these ideas down.</p>

<p>Any other ideas? Anyone?</p>

<p>I think Joker basically said every good idea to be said, I mean really if you did half of the things Joker mentioned you would be the mother theresa of your prospective college's applicant pool</p>

<p>volunteer at a museum?</p>

<p>Again, another thing, A-san, is that you might want to set up a magazine of political satire at your school. I'm sure there are students who are born critics who would contribute articles. </p>

<p>Also, do you like radio stations? Well, because of the internet, it's fairly simple to have your own podcast of political analysis, maybe your own pirate radio station, if your daring enough, ;). </p>

<p>And, Drew, I said the Museum thing because where I live, I'm near the JFK Library and other cultural centers. I really believe it's good to immerse oneself in those types of activities. </p>

<p>And, kevster, I have some great ideas for your interests. But, because I have a lab report and an English draft of my final to write, I'll have to postpone that post.</p>

<p>And, Drew, I said the Museum thing because where I live, I'm near the JFK Library and other cultural centers. I really believe it's good to immerse oneself in those types of activities. </p>

<p>I didn't notice that you said that, I was actually suggesting volunteering at a museum, not questioning it. If that's what you thought.</p>

<p>It's good to hear you have some great ideas!</p>

<p>2 ideas for kevster: You could try to get an internship with or just volunteer for a landscaping company or any environmental protection groups. You could also volunteer for or get a job at a local plant nursery.</p>

<p>I already contacted 2 places:</p>

<p>1) A tree-planting partnership where I've seen many corporations and groups sponsor and actively participate in it. I might be the first high-school kid individually doing it (since many participants are in groups, like the Braille Institute and the Key Club of some middle school here). I'm going to meet the Manager of the partnership for more info. and scheduling info.
2. Open Space program offered by the city. I'm prob. becoming a volunteer at a park near my city picking up debris, painting, planting, weeding, etc..</p>

<p>I am planning to get a job at Armstrong Garden Centers in my NEXT summer, not this one. Or maybe I'll take an Intern next summer, like you said. This summer, I'm planning for some SAT prep and the 2 aforementioned activities. </p>

<p>Thanks so much for the ideas BigGreenJen. </p>

<p>Private_Joker, got some ideas now? :)</p>

<p>As far as history EC ideas...</p>

<p>I'm doing volunteer hours at my county's Civil War battle site.</p>

<p>Also, I signed up to intern for an archeological dig. I just looked in the classifieds and there it was.</p>

<p>Hey, Kevster. Sorry for the delay. From my English final to the last few days of school, I've been tied up. But, I'm here now, and hopefully I can be of some assistance to you. </p>

<p>Some of the ideas I had were: </p>

<p>1.)Are you interested in national organizations, such as 4H, that either have an environmental component or is solely environmentally based? Contact your local branch. </p>

<p>2.) Are you a natural-born leader? Do you not work well within the boundaries and bureaucracies of structured organization? Create your own local planting/environment group. Contact your local YMCA, school committe, or even a brunch of your friends, and an authorized mentor and organize a group of youngsters willing to clean up areas, such as vacant sandlots or run-down playgrounds, and re-plant vegetation and trees. Don't forget to have the permission of your appropriate city official or land-owner to begin. </p>

<p>3.) Do you live near an aboretum? Contact the plant-life supervisor, or whoever, to volunteer. </p>

<p>4.) Are you interested or familiar with Plant Science? If you are interest in research, you may want to contact a professor, or some academic, who specializes in Plant Science or Environment Science with a specialization in Plant Science to help in research. The good thing about environment sciences is that a lot of time your lab is nature. It's easier to jump into research, because of the openness of nature. </p>

<p>5.) Do you live learn an art museum? Does this art museum have an amateur exhibit? Are you artistic? I've seen some beautiful art that uses leaves and branches and the rest of nature's accessories to illustrate dazzling pieces. </p>

<p>6.) Start a tree-lovers' club or Environmental Club at school. One of the club's activities can be replanting neglected areas? </p>

<p>7.) Community Awareness. Contact your local library, Boys and Girls' Club, local 2nd Grade, Children's Museum to arrange an exhibit, where you can discuss horticulture and the importance of planting as either a relaxing hobby or environment-sustaining activity, etc. </p>

<p>8.) Do you like politics? Lobby. Organize or join an organization, or established group, that seeks to promote environmental-friendly lifestyle and thus environmental-friendly legislation. </p>

<p>8.) Earth Day comes around every Year, and, as far as I know, many states have events that promote Earth Day. Again, contact a group, asking to volunteer. If you're bold enough, contact your town or city official to see if you there are any events. If there are no events, coordinate your own. With enough determination, audacity, and persuasion, you can. </p>

<p>9.) Are you an activist? This is going to sound far-fetch, but you can organize a group of people to travel to New Orleans or surrounding region affected by Katrina and start replanting and cleaning up, as much as you can. Even if not Katrina areas, what about other areas affected by natural disasters where plant life may have been damaged? Hey, just an idea. </p>

<p>10.) If you're computer-savvy, start an internet group or forum for horticulture, planters, artists that use plants to express themselves. </p>

<p>11.) Grow your own garden or a mini-aboretum. If you're successful, advertize your garden or aboretum to friends, family, neighbours, classmates, teachers. Possibly, they may be impressed by your talent and want you to cultivate their land into nice landscape. </p>

<p>12.) Can you draw, photograph, paint, write? I read a book once about a bird watcher who travel the nation recording the different types of birds he saw. By the end of the book, not only did he have a vast and impressive record of seen birds, he had a great story to sure for it. Again, this may be far-fetch, but have you ever tried to classify and record all the plants you see, maybe through drawing or photographing, painting or writing. </p>

<p>13.) Have you ever had an interest in working with sick or disadvantage population? Well, contact your local hospital, nursing home or orphanage to coordinate planting activities as a type of therapy or rehabilitation. </p>

<p>14) Read, Read, Read. Read about plant life, learn your stuff. Don't say your passion is in horticulture and not know the details of your area of interest. </p>

<p>15.) I'm sure your town or city must have an official or department that supervizes the landscape and construction of your area. Contact them to volunteer or intern. </p>

<p>16.) Are you familiar with any magazines for planters, flower and nature lovers? Do you have any of them headquartered where you live? Contact them. </p>

<p>17.) Conduct your own independent research in plant science? For example, are some plants more likely to trigger asthma attacks in specific populations and why? Is there more to flower fragrances than is thought? Why are some plants considered to be herbal remedies for certain ailments?</p>

<p>18.) Any jobs that will bring you in contact with horticulture, take them. </p>

<p>19.) Take classes in Environmental Science. </p>

<p>Well, that's all for now. I hope these help. Good Luck. </p>

<p>P.S. A-san, I recieved your PM. I won't be home this weekend, starting tomorrow. So, I'll respond maybe on Sunday night but probably sometime next week.</p>

<p>heres what ive done and its worked fairly well</p>

<p>i became involved in the JSA chapter at my school and ended up as the convention coordinator on a state / national level
its allowed me to travel to columbus, san fran, dc, etc etc
ive planned political-style conventions for over 900+ students from all over the country--its gotten me alot of recognition (helped me to get cum laude as a junior and today i got the citizenship award at my school that goes to the student who best demonstrates civic responsibility etc)</p>

<p>its a great way to become involved in both local and national politics---you should look into it</p>

<p><em>jaw drops, eyes can't close</em> Oh My Goodness, Private Joker, thanks a LOT!</p>

<p>Hey! I'm doing #11 right now. Haha. I keep my own little garden. Boy, feels so good to see them grow so much! They are Wildflowers (it's a mix, and those plants attract lots of Bumble Bees and Hummingbirds!) Fortunately, we have a neighbor that we know well. I might knock their door one day when I become much more skillful in Horticulture!</p>

<p>I wanted to do #18 this summer (Armstrong Garden Centers), but I found out there was this big tree planting partnership in my city. Since it's a partnerships, there aren't many INDIVIDUALS participating (i've seen a man plant few rows), but most of them participating are big groups and corporations (ie Braille Institute, Key Club, Peter Montoya, Inc., etc). Also, there is this volunteering program sponsored by the city which includes weeding exotic plant species, plant natives, clear the trail, pick up litter and debris, paint fencing, etc. So I'm thinking about getting a job @ AGC in the Summer of Jr. Yr.</p>

<p>Oh, and yes, for # 17, you mean with a teacher? I've recently noticed that most of the students conduct "independent researchs" with teachers (?). </p>

<p>Well Private Joker, this city is kinda an affluent city. There aren't any big flaws or anything. Seems the mayor is doing an excellent job. Every greenspace you see, it's all manicured lawns. There's nothing to fix in here (which is sad, in my case, since I would like to help the city in terms of planting, etc) It would be kinda hard for me to conduct programs to rehabilitate destructed green areas and the like. Going to other cities to do that would be a very, very hard thing to do. Plus, I'm not the type of a good leader actively doing things. See how all my activities can somewhat show my personality? I'm no big leader. Hehe..</p>

<p>For # 19, I decided to take AP Bio for Jr year than APES, because I plan on taking Biology SAT II. So I'm definitely taking APES in my Snr. Year. </p>

<p>1 question, you know how many colleges ask for music recitals or art work (optional section, of course). Can photos be considered as artwork? Can I even submit any photographs? If yes, I have many pictures I took over the past few months of the flowers I planted. I would be more than happy to submit them in the future.</p>

<p>A-san, we have SO MANY similar interests! I also have a very strong interest in politics and especially international relations/affairs. My favourite is the US-China relation.. have you looked into that area yet?</p>

<p>As for somethings you can do, I've already done a lot of volunteering at local election campaigns in the last couple of years, but they weren't that exciting. I also started my own club, a jsa chapter at my school. We actually organized quite a few influencial events, including a very large scale debate with some local and national politicians. In addition, maybe go for a student government position or something like that. Yet, for me, I'd rather start my "own" student government- let's call it Student Congress (and we'll form a government to compete with the current student government in power... hey that sounds really cool).</p>

<p>I also have a small question if anyone here can answer it. What is the NHD? Concord Review? How do you participate in them? What do you get out of them eventually? thanks alot.</p>

<p>NHD is National History Day. It's a year-long project that every year has a different theme. Students must pick a topic in history that best captures that theme and present it in local to a national competition. Students use different mediums for their presentations, such as documentaries, skits, artwork. It's a cool competition, especially at the national level, but as stated before it's a generic competition and, unless you place very well, is not that impressive on college apps.
For The Concord Review, I don't have good enough knowledge of to give you a good understanding of it. </p>

<p>Well, off to a conference I have to attend. Good Luck, everyone. See you Sunday.</p>

<p>@ JIMMY@KILLARNEY, what a couincidence! US-China relations is my favorite topic too! Personally I can't get enough of Chinese history, and their culture, and how they relate to America. My second favorite international topic would probably be the Middle East and Israel. Anyways, maybe I'll contact you later on MSN so we can exchange ideas. :)</p>

<p>@Private_Joker, did you get my pm?</p>

<p>Private_Joker, do you think you can help me out with some EC's. I plan on going into business in college. I'll be a junior in the fall.</p>

<p>what schools are you considering? Babson's #1 for entrepreneurship. It's a really good biz school.</p>