Eighth-grade students at Minot Consolidated School have been working for eight weeks on a tough lesson.

As part of their social studies class, small groups of students have been working on 10 public policy initiatives that would affect the school, community or state. The issues range from the policy on student participation in extracurricular activities at the school to starting a townwide celebration.

Encouraging students’ activism is a great way to teach them about how government works and to introduce them to the challenges and rewards of civic participation.

Not all the students are likely to be successful. An effort last year to change the school’s policy on gum chewing failed, and this year’s students have bitten off some big ideas. Whether they succeed in reducing the standards for athletic eligibility or organizing a town fair is really secondary. The experience of becoming involved and trying to make a difference is what counts.

Most community activists will tell you that you lose more often than you win, that it can take years to build support for big ideas and big changes.

Minot students have said they hope to leave a mark on their school. They’ve already done that. They should be proud of their efforts.