the LEAP Project
About the LEAP Project & Scholarship contest
The LEAP project is an annual competition in which participating LEAP students grades 9-12 choose a topic focused around our yearly theme, and research it extensively. They then present their findings along with actionable ways for the general public to get involved with their chosen issue by building a website, creating a short documentary, or writing a paper relating the yearly theme to animal and environmental welfare. Projects will be evaluated by the LEAP Board of Directors based on rubrics and winners will have the opportunity to earn scholarship money for continuing education.
This process is designed to help students continue to develop and implement leadership skills learned in the LEAP program specifically in the areas of critical thinking, project management, advocacy, and community involvement. It also rewards students who put in time and effort above and beyond the
requirements of the LEAP program and gives them a chance to participate in healthy competition with their peers.
Project Deadline
Deadline: JUNE 14, 2024 at 11:59 Pm (PST)
Submit early as no late applications will be accepted.
FAQS
What are the eligibility requirements?
- Current enrollment in the LEAP program.
- Completion of all 32 service hours and verification by participant’s chapter sanctuary by the project deadline.
- Completion of all LEAP monthly coursework (one missed classroom session is permitted without a doctor’s note as long as student completes the make up work and accompanying online quiz. More than one missed session without a doctor’s note disqualifies the student from the contest).
- Completion of all LEAP monthly hands-on workshops (one missed workshop is permitted without a doctor’s note. More than one disqualifies the student from the contest).
- All project guidelines are followed and project along is submitted through the online portal to the LEAP Board of Directors by the deadline, 11:59pm on June 14, 2024.
- If the project submitted is a website or documentary, the student will also submit a single *PDF file containing a title page, summary paper, and bibliography by the deadline, 11:59pm on June 14, 2024. *If the project submitted is a paper, these items are already included in the paper submission.
what MUST BE INCLUDED IN THE SUBMISSION?
1. A website (must be created on a free Wix account) OR
2. A short documentary (10-15 minutes) OR
3. An academic paper (1500-3000 words)
AND No matter which project output you choose, at the end of your project, you will write a 1-2 page summary paper describing the research and creative processes you went through and an explaining how your topic relates To the theme. You will also create a bibliography citing your sources and a title page including: (1) the title of your project (2) your category (documentary, paper, website) (3) your name first and last name, and (4) your LEAP chapter sanctuary and academic year (ex: Blackberry Creek Sanctuary 2023-2024).
what do the winners receive?
LEAP Year 1 students can compete for $500 scholarships, while Year 2 students can
compete for $1000 scholarships. Scholarships should be used for higher education or
career training.
how many winning projects are selected?
The amount of scholarship awards we are able to give out vary by year according to funding available. Funding is 100% donor based. If you’d like to donate toward a LEAP student scholarship, you can do so HERE.
When will the winners be announced?
Winners will be announced via email and social media by end of day on Friday, June 21, 2024. Scholarship award checks will be sent the following week via mail.
How to Submit Your Project
Simply click the button below and follow the prompts in the form to upload and submit your project. Only projects submitted through the link will be judged. Email submissions will not be accepted.
Contact Information
Need project submission help? Contact Us:
danielle@leapforanimals.org
