Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/85591
TEACHING & LEARNING PRIMETIME for civic education and engagement Taking in the proceedings of the 61st Deb White (top row, center) and her students from Cody listen intently to the happenings on the House floor. Wyoming Legislature, While tensions may be running high and patience wearing thin during this presidential election year, there's no better time to encourage civic engagement and patriotism in today's youth. Across the state and in many classrooms, the options for civic education are endless, as are the lessons to be instilled, and in some cases, the awards to be earned. 20 There are many established programs sponsored by such civic-minded organizations as the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), the American Legion, and the Daughters of the American Revolution. The VFW sponsors the Voice of Democracy Contest for grades 9-12, as well as the Patriots Pen for grades 6-8, with the potential to win up to $30,000 in scholarship money. Voice of Democracy is an audio-essay contest that allows students to express themselves in regards to democratic ideals and principles. This year's essay question is, "Is our Constitution still relevant?" Patriots Pen is a written essay contest and this year's essay question is, "What I would tell America's Founding Fathers." Entries for BACK TO SCHOOL 2012 | WEAnews both contests are due to local VFW chapters by November 1st Other great nationwide programs include Project Citizen and the We the People Program. These are curriculum programs that promote civic competence and responsibility in upper elementary, secondary, post-secondary, and adult education. . A number of high schools across the state also participate in Close Up, which strives to educate and inspire students to become more informed, engaged citizens. This program takes what is learned in the classroom through coursework to a culminating week in our nation's capital, taking in the sites and history, and interacting with congressional legislators. Wheatland High School teacher and Platte County Education Association President, Brian Boaz, has participated in the Close Up program for a number of years and works closely with Wyoming's congressional delegation to provide some unique opportunities to his students, including participating in several wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery. Educators can also take engagement one step further by creating extracurricular opportunities, as does WEA member and Cody High School science teacher, Deb White. White sponsors Youth For Justice, which is an extracurricular club open to any Cody High School student interested in learning about local and state issues. The group gathers information and research throughout the year and then travels to the state capitol during the legislative session to lobby state senators and representatives on those issues. The possibilities and opportunities really are endless. If you'd like to try something new in your classroom to engage your students in civic activity and democracy, please contact WEA-Retired member and former social studies teacher Richard "Dick" Kean at the University of Wyoming Partnership for Civic Education at rkean@ uwyo.edu or by calling (307) 766- 2300.