Peer Education is a concept developed by National FCCLA to develop programs which are delivered to their membership and members’ communities via their members – hence the term peer education.
Peer education is a great place for members to begin if they want to become involved! Members have the opportunity to identify a concern in their community in relationship to one of the peer education areas, set a goal, plan a series of three projects or one major project, carry their projects out, reflect on their project, submit their projects to state staff and State Executive Council for review, and last but not least, receive recognition for the work they have accomplished.
Iowa Peer Education offers 9 National Programs for members to complete projects and apply for State and National Recognition.
If you wish to learn more about a specific peer education program, you may find that information below or contact Peer Education Coordinator, Courtney Roll.
The programs are:
Career Connection
Community Service
FACTS – Families Acting for Community Traffic Safety
Families First
Financial Fitness
Power of One
Public Relations – exclusive to Iowa
Stand Up
Student Body
By doing Peer Education Projects Members develop skills for life through: character development, creative and critical thinking, interpersonal communication, practical knowledge, and career preparation. The State Executive Council (State Officers) have developed project suggestions each of the National Programs listed. These project suggestions are to help members to Identify a Concern, Set a Goal, Form a Plan (who, what, when, where, why, and how) Act, and Follow Up.
Registration & Submission
Registration Fee: $10.00 per team member – chapters will be charged based on registrations regardless of completion of projects
(Includes: Digital Certificate & Award Pin at SLC)
Please submit a new form for EACH team you are registering for your chapter. A team may be comprised of anywhere from one (1) to five (5) members.
Registration Due: November 24, 2026
How to Participate
If members are doing the three smaller projects (based on one of the National Programs). These are the due dates to submit your completed projects by:
Project 1 Friday, December 4, 2026
Project 2 Friday, January 15, 2027
Project 3 Friday, February 12, 2027 ** This is a firm deadline for state recognition due to pin ordering and certificate printing. Please note this is also the last day of national FCCLA week…incorporate your peer ed projects during your chapter celebrations and/or know that you can turn in peer ed project early!
Members may do projects in two different formats.
Members complete three projects (based on one National Programs) Members will be turning in the three projects based on the due dates listed above. Projects will be reported on the state website using the Google doc reporting system.
Members complete ONE LARGE project (based on one of the National Programs) Members will be turning in the one Large project with proof of National Project Submission.
National FCCLA offers national recognition to chapters that complete a project from the national programs. This honor includes cash awards and special recognition at the National Leadership Conference, online, and in Teen Times magazine for the top chapters. Chapters apply online for recognition for their hard work and innovative projects with the National Program Award Applications available on the FCCLA national website under Engage – National Programs – Awards. Cash awards are High School Award $1000, Middle School Award $1000, Runner-Up Award $500. Deadline: Award Applications must be submitted by March 1. The online award system will automatically close March 1, 5:00PM EST. Power of One has it’s own national recognition as outlined at the above Awards link.
Large Project Due Dates
Friday, December 4, 2026 – Explanation of what your project is about and the time frame you will be following.
Friday, January 15, 2027 – Details of what you have accomplished and what you have to complete.
Friday, February 12, 2027 – Proof of completion AND copy of the form that was filled out on the National FCCLA website
Officer Responsibility – Addisyn Rainey – First Vice President
Career Connection Information Sheet
Required Project Ideas for each Career Connection Unit
Members need to complete only 3 projects (each bullet point is a project)
Link to National’s resources: https://fcclainc.org/engage/national-programs/career-connection
Unit – My Skills
- Create a lesson to present in front of multiple FCS or CTE classes that encourages them to take the personality test and skill identifiers that you provide and provide a list of related careers that they can match with.
- Set up an online game that can be played with students that includes questions on what skills are best for the various careers or match the career to the skill.
Unit – My Life
- Create a “Life Map” with circles for the roles that they have in their life like : Student, Friend, Family member, Employee. Then have them rank the roles based on what they think takes the most amount of time and create a reflection activity to see which roles they prioritize more.
- Create a series of lessons that cover life skills that are necessary for adults to know like how to read a paycheck, file taxes, understand credit, manage their time, complete all work to a satisfactory level, and other tasks that relate to what is required of an adult in the workforce.
Unit – My Career
- Teach students the best practices for going into the workforce with examples of how to build a resume, interview do’s and don’ts, and tips for maintaining a good standing while in their position.
- Bring in a community speaker that works in the job recruitment field and tell students which soft skills are the most useful. Have students work with the speaker to identify the career field that they would like to go into, then identify technical skills that could help them in their future career.
Unit – My Path
- Help students create a five-year plan that includes important aspects for their future life like education or training, career goals, financial goals, leadership opportunities, community involvement. Make sure to encourage students to create smaller goals to set up for themselves to measure success along the way.
- Create a Mentorship Program that connects students with professionals in careers that they’re interested in. While in the program, students can conduct interviews and job shadows to learn more about their chosen field as well as meeting with their mentor to learn more about requirements, expectations, and potential advancements.
Visualize your Connections – a useful technique that helps you reach your goals and live your dreams. Make a poster with a group of your peers containing their life/career goals, and a phrase that is important to you. Start drawing lines and creating connections between your ideas, goals to help you visualize yourself and you can program your subconscious mind to turn the goals into reality. Hang the posters around school to educate others about goals and connections.
Officer Assigned – Cecilia Sperfslage- VP of Community Service
The Community Service program guides members to identify local concerns and carry out projects to improve the quality of life in their communities. Through their projects, members experience character development and improve their critical and creative thinking, interpersonal communication, practical knowledge, and career preparation. FCCLA members learn more about themselves, others, and the world so that they can make a difference now and in the future.
Community Service Information Sheet
Required Project Ideas for each Community Service Unit
Members need to complete only 3 projects (each bullet point is a project)
Link to National’s Resources: https://fcclainc.org/engage/national-programs/community-service
Project ideas per unit:
Unit – Learn. Organization to potentially partner with: Support Siouxland Soldiers
- Speak to other groups (FBLA, FFA, churches, etc.) to help fund the needs for our military and donate to Support Siouxland Soldiers. Sharing a common goal with others can help us reach our vision faster.
- Share stories of how donating to Support Siouxland Soldiers has changed families lives for the better or invite a veteran/soldier to speak to deepen students empathy and knowledge.
- Hold a fundraiser to be able to hold a BBQ cook out free of charge for the fighters in your community. (Hot dogs, burgers, beans, etc.)
Unit – Lead Organization to potentially partner with: Food Bank for the Heartland
- Host a color walk/run in the community with registration prices depending on child or adult. This money can go to non perishable items for Food Bank for the Heartland.
- Lead a food drive at a local school building; send a flyer home for parents to send in the needed items.
- Assemble little snack bags with a card game for the children to stay busy with. (goldfish, crackers, fruit cups, stickers, children card games, etc.)
Unit – Serve Organization to potentially partner with: Community gardens
- Offer to start a student led community garden. This can help students to learn how to start their own garden one day and give back to the community.
- All produce can go to families in need. Extra food should be canned and given out when needed.
- Volunteer at local food banks to help with packaging, cleaning, and organization.
- Hold a school-wide competition for who can gather the most canned food. Winning class has the opportunity to enjoy a refreshing root beer float.
Officer Assigned – Lola Friedrichsen – Vice President of Development
Families Acting for Community Traffic Safety (FACTS) gives members the information and incentives they need to build an understanding of what it means to drive safely, both today and in the future. Through their projects, members work to educate adults and peers about traffic safety and support enforcement of local rules and regulations. FCCLA members are given the tools to help families promote basic safety attitudes that can last a lifetime.
Required Project Ideas for each FACTS Unit
Members need to complete only 3 projects (each bullet point is a project)
Link to National’s Resources: https://fcclainc.org/engage/national-programs/facts
Project Suggestions per unit:
Unit – People
- Have a speaker come in to talk to the people about the importance of seatbelt safety.
- Do a seatbelt Smarties check at the schools. If they are wearing a seatbelt, they get a Smartie.
Vehicle
- Set up a walk-through station thing for different ages of vehicles. Like the first car ever made-the current newest versions and how they are different and why we are safe.
- Do a vehicle talk about how to care for you and your vehicle, what to do before getting in the car, what to do while in the car, and what to do after you get out of your car. Have a speaker come do this.
Roads
- Schedule a day for your school to do a roadside cleanup, to pick up all the trash.
- Get a speaker to come to the school to talk about the roads, how they are built, what different things on the road mean, and also talking about the emotional aspect of roads, road rage, potholes, distracted driving, intoxicated driving, and how that affects the roads and the people.
***State Farm is a National Sponsor
Officer Assigned – Sophie Jones – Vice President of National Programs
Families First Information Sheet
Link to National’s Resources: https://fcclainc.org/engage/national-programs/families-first
Project ideas per unit:
Dynamics – Understanding families and family relationships – What do Families facing cancer have to deal with?
- Family Values Collage, Create a collage representing values that are important to a healthy family.
- Make a “Kindness Challenge” family members will complete an act of kindness each day
Balance– Enabling young people and families to prioritize self-care and overcome obstacles – How does a cancer diagnosis directly and indirectly affect families and the community?
- Design a Weekly Family Planner with schedules, meal plans, and chore charts.
- Use the FCCLA planning process
- Create a self care plan that encourages family members to take breaks and stay healthy
- Daily Water intake goal, 30 minutes physical activity, at least one family activity, break from screens for at least an hour, 7-9 hours of sleep, weekly check in to share something they are proud of and want to improve, (over a 3 week period.)
- FCCLA Planning process
Development – Learning how to nurture and care for children – How can the community collaborate to support families dealing with illness or spread awareness about illness prevention?
- Family Game night- Create a guide with affordable games and activities. Encourage families to unwind and spend time together without electronics (brochure, digital flyer)
- Create a Family Financial literacy plan (Budgeting, saving, spending, financial goals, credit/debt,) or create a family budget with monthly incomes, fixed and variable expenses, 50/30/20 rule (needs, wants, savings,) emergency fund contributions, etc
Safety– Prioritizing and practicing safety within families – How can families facing cancer balance treatment and their careers? What are medical career paths for people interested in working with children?
Emergency Preparedness Plan
- Create a family emergency plan that includes evacuation routes, emergency contacts, a meeting place, and a disaster supply kit checklist.
- Present the plan as a brochure, poster, or digital presentation
- Digital Wellness workshop
- Topics of conversation like Screen Time, (age appropriate) appropriate versus inappropriate websites, schedule screen free times for family nights, cyberbullying, digital footprint, etc
Skills – Developing strategies to be a good family member – What can the community do to nurture children and provide the best health possible?
- Healthy Kids Fair-Set up stations teaching kids and parents about nutrition, exercise, sleep, hygiene, and healthy habits
- Wellness bags-Create bags with coloring activities, books, healthy snacks, hygiene supplies, and information about healthy habits
Officer Assigned – Dawson Wheeler– VP of Finance
Financial Fitness engages members in teaching one another how to earn, spend, save, and protect money wisely. Through FCCLA’s Financial Fitness program, members plan and carry out projects that help them and their peers learn to become wise financial managers and smart consumers. FCCLA members can build their peers’ financial literacy and teach them skills for managing their finances.
Link to National’s Resources: https://fcclainc.org/engage/national-programs/financial-fitness
Required Project Ideas for each Financial Fitness Unit
Members need to complete only 3 projects (each bullet point is a project)
Earning
- Where Does Your Paycheck Go?–Research what happens to a paycheck before you receive it. Teach your peers about taxes, deductions, gross pay, and take-home pay. Have students create a sample paycheck and determine how much they would actually have available to spend and save.
- Build Your First Budget–Create a realistic budget for a teenager with a part-time job. Include income, transportation, food, entertainment, savings, and other expenses. Present your budget to your peers and challenge them to create their own.
- Money-Making Challenge–Research different ways teenagers can earn money, such as part-time jobs, babysitting, pet sitting, lawn care, tutoring, or small businesses. Have students create their own “money-making plan” and determine how much they could potentially earn and save.
Spending
- The $100 Challenge–Give students a fictional $100 and challenge them to decide how they would spend it. Then introduce unexpected expenses and see how their decisions change. Discuss the importance of budgeting and making smart spending choices.
- Needs vs. Wants–Create an interactive activity where students decide whether different purchases are needs or wants. Discuss how understanding the difference can help prevent unnecessary spending.
- Plan a Dream Vacation–Give students a set budget and have them plan a vacation. They must research transportation, hotels, meals, activities, and souvenirs while staying within their budget. Have them present their trip and explain how they saved money.
Saving
- The Savings Challenge–Create a 30-day savings challenge for your peers. Students choose an amount they want to save and track their progress throughout the month. Teach them different strategies for finding extra money to save.
- SMART Money Goals–Teach students how to create Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound financial goals. Have students create a short-term and long-term savings goal and develop a plan for reaching each one.
- Save for Something BIG–Choose a major future expense such as a car, college, vacation, computer, or apartment. Research the cost and create a savings plan showing how long it would take to reach the goal.
Protecting
- Scam or Legit? Create an interactive game where students are shown realistic texts, emails, websites, or social media messages. Students must decide whether each example is legitimate or a scam. Teach them warning signs to look for.
- Protect Your Personal Information–Teach students how to protect information such as passwords, account numbers, usernames, and other personal information. Create a presentation or interactive activity showing common ways personal information can be stolen.
- Loan or Grant? Research the difference between loans and grants. Explain who typically uses them, whether the money has to be repaid, and how interest can affect loans. Create a comparison activity for your peers. As well as inviting a speaker to talk about different types of loans as well as differences in interest rates.
Officer Assigned – Avery Hunt – Vice President of Membership
Power of One helps members to find and use their personal power. Members set their own goals, work to achieve them, and enjoy the results. The skills members learn in Power of One help them now and in the future with school, friends and family, and on the job. Power of One is completed by one member. Your chapter may have more than one member doing Power of One. Each member sets their own goals within each unit to better or improve themselves.
Power of One Information -Nationals
Link to National’s Resources: https://fcclainc.org/engage/national-programs/power-one
Bullet points are just Project Suggestions/Ideas for each of the Power of One Units, you may pick your own topic.
Members need to complete all 5 Units and complete the Power of One FCCLA Recognition Application the application can be found on the National website under the Engage tab within National Programs.
Unit 1 – A Better You:
- 30 Day Growth Challenge:Members Choose one personal habit to improve (organization, gratitude, sleep, reading, exercise, screen time, etc.). They set a goal and track progress for 30 days and reflect on what they learned. Use a goal sheet (SMART goal), progress tracker of your choice, and a reflection paragraph
- Vision Board and Goal Map: Create a digital or physical vision board showing personal, school, career, and leadership goals for the next year. Use a vision board, three SMART goals, and an action plan
Unit 2 – Family Ties:
- Family Traditions Interview Interview a parent, grandparent, or guardian, or mentor about traditions, family values, or life lessons. Use interview questions, a reflection, and share a takeaway with your chapter
- Family Service Night: Plan and participate in a meaningful activity with family such as volunteering, cooking together, game night, technology free evening, or outdoor activity. Use an activity summary, photos, and a reflection on relationships
Unit 3 – Working on Working:
- Career Shadow: Interview or shadow someone working in a career related to one of the FCCLA career pathways. Use interview questions, career summary, and a reflection
- Professional Skills Upgrade Improve one employability skill by creating or updating: resume, cover letter, linkedin profile, mock interview, elevator pitch. Use a completed professional document and reflection.
Unit 4 – Take the Lead:
- Lead a meeting moment: Volunteer to lead an ice breaker, opening ceremony, committee discussion, or activity during a chapter meeting. Use a leadership plan, and a reflection on strengths and challenges.
- Leadership book or podcast review. Read a leadership book or listen to a few leadership project episodes. Use a one page reflection connecting to lessons to FCCLA leadership.
Unit 5 – Speak Out for FCCLA:
- FCCLA Ambassador Challenge: Share FCCLA with five people who aren’t members through conversations, classroom presentations, social media, etc. Use a one page reflection, and photos/screenshots if applicable.
- Member Spotlight: Highlight FCCLA member, advisor, or alumni through social media, newsletter, or chapter presentation. Use a spotlight and a reflection on the project
Officer Assigned – Gwen Tichy – VP of Public Relations
Public Relations team members “maximize” the flow of information between FCCLA and the public! Public relations team members will help “brand” FCCLA across Iowa by using topics of public interest and news items that continue to spread the goals of FCCLA. Common activities include speaking at conferences, working with the press/media and helping publicize the Iowa FCCLA website through the use of social media to energize members statewide.
With Peer Education it is all about connecting your project to a FCCLA National Program. One goal of Public Relations is to tie this program to one of the many STAR Events. Examples would be: Promote and Publicize FCCLA, Say Yes to FCS Education, Professional Presentation, National Programs in Action, Interpersonal Communication, Chapter Service Project (display or portfolio) Career Investigation. Below you will read different project suggestions for Public Relations. These are just suggestions. You can plan your own project.
Required Project Ideas for Public Relations
Members need to complete only 3 projects (each bullet point is a project)
Project ideas:
Recruit:
- Create a newspaper article, poster, or bulletin board promoting FCCLA
- Host a talk with 6th/7th graders (to teach and get them involved in FCCLA)
- Day-in-the-Life Social Media Campaign – create short social media posts/videos showcasing what an FCCLA member does
Retain:
- Host a workshop that focuses on building public speaking skills, leadership, and networking
- Create and send students monthly newsletters to promote/update your FCCLA chapter
Recognize:
- Make a presentation, PSA video, or podcast about FCCLA’s involvement in your school and community
- Plan FCCLA Week! (Dress-up days, magnets on FCCLA members’ lockers, or a “chapter member of the week” picture)
Officer Assigned – Janelle Jimenez – Vice President of Parliamentary Law
The FCCLA Stand Up national peer education program guides members to develop, plan, carry out, and evaluate advocacy activities to improve the quality of life in their communities. Members develop their voice to make a positive impact. Through their projects, members experience character development and improve their critical and creative thinking, interpersonal communication, leadership, practical knowledge, and career preparation.
Stand Up Information – Nationals
Required Project Ideas/Suggestions for each Stand Up Unit
Members need to complete only 3 projects.
Link to National’s resources: https://fcclainc.org/engage/national-programs/stand
Project ideas by unit:
Assess:
- Breaking the silence: A student anonymous survey regarding mental health and stigma.
- Learn from experts: Interview school counselors, social workers and other adults with common mental health concerns.
Educate:
- “Change the conversation. End the stigma.” campaign: Create posters sharing facts and positive messages about mental health.
- Beyond the stigma: Invite a speaker with lived experience to share their experience and provide a unique perspective on reducing mental health stigma.
Advocate:
- “Change the conversation. End the stigma.” campaign: Create a resource guide with crisis lines, counseling services and support organizations.
- “Triple C” Connections Create Change: Work with schools to create a kindness and wellness challenge to expand mental health awareness activities and resources.
Officer Assigned – Keagan Wiggs – Vice President of Competitive Events
The Student Body program helps members learn to make informed, responsible choices for their physical and mental health while also providing opportunities to teach others. The teen years are an ideal time to establish healthy attitudes and habits to last a lifetime, which is why Student Body gives members the facts and incentives they need to build a healthy body.
Student Body Information – Nationals
Required Project Ideas for each Student Body Unit
Members need to complete only 3 projects (each bullet point is a project)
Link to National’s resources: https://fcclainc.org/engage/national-programs/student-body
Project ideas by Unit:
Unit 1 – The Healthy You
- “Fuel Your Day” Breakfast Campaign Educate students about the benefits of eating breakfast and hand out healthy breakfast recipes.
- Healthy Snack Challenge Replace vending machine snacks with healthier options for a week and survey students afterward.
- Give a presentation, invite a speaker or write an article on substances or lifestyle choices that are damaging to your health (ex. Energy drinks, vaping, drinking etc.)
- Have a speaker or dietitian speak to your school about healthy choices.
Unit 2 – The Fit You
- 30-Day Movement Challenge Encourage students to complete 30 minutes of activity each day.
- Fitness Fair Invite local gyms, sports teams, or health organizations to demonstrate activities.
The Real You
- Positive Notes Project Place encouraging messages in lockers or around school.
- Mental Health Awareness Fair: Invite counselors and local organizations to provide resources.
The Resilient You
- Coping Skills Toolkit: Create small kits with stress balls, journals, positive affirmations, and resource cards.
- Peer Support Program Train students to encourage classmates and recognize when someone needs help.