Summer Institute 2022
JOIN THE CIVICS 2022 SUMMER INSTITUTE
July 31-August 4 in Grand Rapids, MI
Designing Our Civic Future Through Public Policy, the Constitution, and the Law
Join us this summer July 31-August 4 in Grand Rapids Michigan for professional learning and a kick-off for three well-established, research-driven, highly effective civic education programs. Some meetings may occur in advance, and year-long support is integrated into the programs.
The Michigan Center for Civic Education in collaboration with the National Constitution Center, the national Center for Civic Education, and more are working to provide teachers the knowledge and skills to bring public policy and the Constitution to life.
As part of participation, all who teachers who fully participate will receive a stipend, travel expenses, and up to 42 professional development hours. All teachers from public and private middle and high schools are eligible – all disciplines are welcome.
Sign up ASAP to reserve your spot in these year-long, supported programs which help each teacher realize the best in instructional methods, current and relevant content, and classroom protocols to honor diverse viewpoints. If you have ever felt a disconnect between subject, student, and instruction, please join us. These programs will help you provide the essential tools for student collaboration, curiosity, joy, and rigor for student success.
Significant focus will be paid on equipping teachers to realize a student-centered classroom and human centered design which transforms students into rising scholars with a voice and perspective all their own.
Focus on One of Three Great Projects
Project C
We The People
Mock Trial
Project C (Project Citizen, Project Community) emphasizes students working to understand their communities, identify needs, and create meaningful public policy solutions. Truly interdisciplinary, this program aids in student discovery of their environments. Most importantly, it then answers the question of “what next?” transforming students from passive recipients of information into active members of society who know they can make their communities healthier, more vibrant, and engaging.
We the People (WTP) promotes civic competence, responsibility, appreciation, and enthusiasm for the Constitution and pressing issues in our society. The WTP curriculum is designed to foster understanding of the institutions of American democracy, with a special focus on the Bill of Rights. Culminating activities feature a simulated congressional hearing in which students “testify” before a panel of volunteer attorneys, educators, and civic leaders.
Mock Trial not only teaches fundamentals of the US legal system, it helps guide students through collaboration, public speaking, strategic thinking, teamwork, and more. This instructional track will help teachers seeking to start or deepen their curricular, co-curricular, or extra-curricular practice. While focus will be on showcasing mock trial, methods taught could enhance any classroom practice steeped in judicial understanding, trial advocacy, and rule of law.