The Power of Sports to Change the World Sports are generally seen as a form of entertainment. However, there are many examples of how sports can break down barriers like racism. Your driving question for this project is: How can sports be an agent of social and/or political change?
In a May 2000 speech Nelson Mandela (former president of South Africa) stated, "Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire, it has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope, where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than governments in breaking down racial barriers. It laughs in the face of all types of discrimination."
The goal of the project is to research an instance of sports helping to change the world for the better, then create some type of presentation that illustrates the story that you have researched and the impact it has had in the short- and long-term. Your presentation can be a poster or some type of tabletop display. It can also be a PowerPoint, Prezi, or other type of multimedia presentation.

Examples
Here are some examples of how sports has been an agent of change in the world.
South African rugby team that helped bridge the apartheid division between blacks and whites - depicted in the movie Invictus. This is probably my favorite story about how sports can have an impact on the world.
Texas Western basketball team that started 5 African-Americans in the national championship game vs. Kentucky - depicted in the movie Glory Road.
Special Olympics
HEROS Hockey
In Zanzibar, soccer is opening up opportunities for girls.
Coaches Across Continents
You will not have to look to hard to find examples of how sports have helped to change a community or a country. It happens every day in places around the world. This is more than just an "Inspired by Sports" assignment. It shouldn't be a story about an individual unless you can somehow show how that individual's experience has helped to change the world around him/her.