When my group first started brainstorming ideas for our Signature Project, we wanted to do something that would make a significant difference in our community. After a few discussions, and a lot of roadblocks, we realized that sports had effected our lives in a positive way. Whether it was hockey, track, cheering, etc. That’s when the idea for Play It Forward came to life, a clothing and gear drive that collects gently used sports equipment for children that can’t afford new gear. We were inspired by the belief that every kid gets the chance to play, compete, and be a part of a team. This process of narrowing down our ideas showed us the importance of purposeful communication, because we had to actively listen to other perspectives and come to a shared idea.
To get to where we are now, we brainstormed multiple ideas, from making blankets out of t-shirts to creating a basics closet for individuals, but the sports gear drive stood out because it connects directly with our values. One of our group members has a connection with the superintendent of the Plymouth elementary school and found out that they are in need of sports gear. Hearing about the problem firsthand solidified our motivation and pushed up to outline steps for our project: collecting donations from campus and local community members, partnering with the Plymouth schools, and then giving it to the school for distribution.
Each member of our group brings different skills that make the project stronger. I am majoring in Exercise and Sport Physiology, which helps me understand the physical and emotional benefits of youth sports and the importance of access to proper gear. I’ll use that background to guide what types of equipment we collect and how to communicate the health value of sports participation. Another group member is a Business major, and she will take the lead on marketing and outreach, designing posters, managing donations, and building relationships with potential sponsors. Our third group member studies Environmental Science and Policy, and she will ensure that the gear drive is run sustainably, by finding ways to reuse, recycle, and responsibly distribute items that can’t be used. Working together like this practices integrative perspective, since we’re combining our different strengths and academic backgrounds to achieve a shared goal. It’s been rewarding to see how diverse disciplines, exercise science, business, and environmental studies, can intersect in one community-centered project.
That said, there are definitely some gaps in our knowledge that we’ll need to fill. We need to learn more about how to safely collect, clean, and organize used sports gear, and how to reach under-resourced families respectfully and effectively. We’re also still figuring out how to market our project to maximize participation while keeping it inclusive. To address these challenges, we plan to research what others have done in the past to see where they went wrong, or right, and improve on it. This is where self-regulated learning comes in: we’re recognizing what we don’t yet know and setting clear goals to fill those gaps through research.
This project is already pushing me outside my comfort zone, especially when it comes to community outreach and event planning. I’ve never been responsible for organizing something at this scale, so learning to manage logistics and communication with multiple groups is new to me. But that’s part of what makes this project meaningful, it’s helping me grow both personally and professionally. Through Play It Forward, I’m learning that community change starts with small acts of organization, compassion, and teamwork, all of which align perfectly with the goals of the Signature Project and the Habits of Mind that guide it.
Below is an example of what our final poster may look like!
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