MIDDLETOWN, RI (APRIL 13, 2026) –Sometimes, today’s youth are accused of not thinking or caring much about the world around them.
Don’t tell Elisavet Amarant, Hannah Land and Annie Flis that.
On Friday morning, the Gaudet Middle School eighth graders stood by their colorful trifold display, explaining why a student-run solar powered composter in Middletown would work to anyone who would listen.
The trio had ready answers for every question thrown their way during the Civics Project Showcase, one of dozens of students researched and designed solutions on display in the cafetorium of the Aquidneck Avenue school to “real world” problems facing today’s middle schoolers.
“I have no question it would work,” Hannah said. “We put a lot of time into this and if you look at what we’re proposing, it’s efficient, saves money and encourages recycling. Those are all good things if you ask me.”
Concerned many students were graduating from Rhode Island schools without knowing much about the world immediately around them, in July 2021 the state approved new requirements injecting civics education into every grade level from kindergarten to twelfth grade.
The current 2025-2026 school year was the first where the civics requirements were mandatory in Middletown — and schools across the state.
One of the driving sponsors of that initiative — Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg Amore — was in attendance for the showcase, speaking with students and staff about the program.
Amore was a State Representative from East Providence at the time and a popular social studies teacher with 31 years in the classroom.
Jokingly accepting some of the “blame” for the project, Amore said told students he was thoroughly impressed with their creativity and drive with their projects.
Many dealt with student mental health, others addressed school safety, safe use of electric bicycles and environmental sustainability. There were even a few that broached “hot button” local issues like the future of Pottsy Field on West Main Road and the school zone safety cameras.
“I think we need more of this,” Amore said. “We’re identifying issues here and coming up with ways to improve the world around us together.”
As Amore, parents and educators visited exhibits, Civics Teachers Trina Bona and Jane Violet couldn’t help but smile.
Bona and Violet said the civics curriculum definitely opened eyes and encouraged engagement among students.
“It made me laugh, to hear some of (the students) say ‘Wait, we can do this?’” said Violet, who particularly liked an exhibit about a coastal cleanup. “It helped show them how they can get involved and be passionate about what they believe in.”
“They were definitely engaged,” said Bona, who was a big fan of the student-run solar powered composter. “It’s so important for them to see they can positively influence the world. It definitely opened some eyes in my classrooms.”
On hand for the showcase with Superintendent Billy Niemeyer, Assistant Superintendent Michelle Fonseca agreed.
“A civics project like this one lets students apply what they’ve learned to real issues in the community, preparing them for life beyond their Middletown classrooms,” Fonseca said. “It helps them grow into informed, engaged citizens ready to make a positive impact here in Rhode Island.”