Project Overview

Overview

Description of the big picture; also address:

(1) how the central problem or question would actually be tackled by an adult at work or in the community

One big issue the court faces according to its educational outreach coordinator is society's tendancy to paint jury duty as a nuisance rather than a civic duty and important responsibility. Therefore, our students will learn about the criminal justice sytem and the important role that many play, including the role of citizens as jurors. From there, they will participate in a mock trial, preparing local middle schoolers to participate as jurors. Additionally, they will create digital marketing tools using what they learn to emphasize the importance of jury duty, which will be showcased and utilized by the court. Overall, our students are working to transform the image of jury duty, helping citizens see the important role they can play as juror in upholding justice.

(2) How the academy industry theme is incorporated and how the product meets professional industry standards

Kearny BST is a biomedical science and technology-themed school. Students in biomedical science will be focusing on the importance of data collection, interpretation, and analysis through a forensic science lens. In computer science, students will work with large criminal justice datasets and apply computational data science techniques to create visualizations and subsets of data for further detailed analysis. Students will participate in a mock trial following the California Mock Trial Rule Book where they will assume various roles within the Court System and will be evaluated by a judging panel made up of 3 to 4 people (a presider and several scoring attorneys). In AVID and ELA students will build their knowledge of justice and the criminal system. They will also work in teams to interpret and understand the content of their mock trial. In 9th grade Biology and Principles of Biomedical Sciences, students will learn how to evaluate and interpret data, sharpen their argumentation skills and learn about the role of forensic science in the criminal justice system. Kearny BST 9th grade students will summon middle school students from our feeder schools (Montgomery and Taft) to act as jurors in their mock trial. They will be responsible for providing information and training to the middle school students to prepare them for the mock trial which will be held at the San Diego Superior Court. Students will also use their technical skills to create videos, infographics, and posters promoting the importance of public participation as jurors in the court system. Our client will use student-created marketing material on their website and within public spaces in the San Diego Superior Court System.

Grade Level: 9th Grade

Content Areas Integrated

9th Grade ELA (Ethnic Studies), AVID

9th Grade: Biology, Principles of Biomedical Sciences

9th Grade: Computer Science Discoveries

9th Grade Math: Int 1/Int 2

Principal Client

San Diego County Superior Court System

Industry Partner Roles / Involvement

Industry partners will ideally support the project by allowing for a field trip to the court and also through guest speaking. The industry clients will ideally support a mock trial experience for students, where they will advise and evaluate students.

Community Partner Roles / Involvement

• Connecting with local legal aid societies and local law schools (USD)

• Exploring Mesa College criminal justice/legal programs

• International dialogue regarding rule of law

• Crime scene investigator guest speaker (SDPD Crime Lab)

• Incorporating Civil Law

Launch: Court tour: February 8th, 9th (see details below)

Culminating Event

A mock trial assessed by industry professionals such as lawyers, judges, etc. We will also invite our two feeder middle schools (8th graders: Montgomery MS and Taft MS) to come and serve on the jury.

Project Components: Phase 1

Courthouse Tour Logistics:

• Courthouse Tour (9 am-12 pm): 2 rounds of tours (2 days)- 36 students each day (total students approximately 72 students)- 2022 Virtually due to COVID restrictions

• 2nd half of project launch day: Return to Kearny High School: E2E Room for (Experience debrief, learn about roles of mock trial and students will choose individual roles for the culminating mock trial)

• Determine "teams" of students for culminating event(s)

Project Components: Phase 2