Civics Day

Some districts who have created a capstone, Middle and/or High School, have been holding a Civics Day as an opportunity for students  to experience real-world democracy as an agent of change by presenting to an authentic audience.  

Things to Consider: 

Where to hold the event: This could be held within a district or at BOCES to incorporate multiple districts. 

Who to invite: Students, Families, Board of Education, Teachers, Administrators

When to hold the event:  Since capstone projects are so long and multifaceted it is important to give students enough time to complete their projects and make revisions.  The spring during April or May would be idea, before the Regents start to complicate schedules. 

Why:  Civics Day would be place where students would showcase their learning and celebrate their hard work.  Highlights the importance of civic education. 

How: Similar to a science fair,  students can have a "booth" to showcase their work and will need a schedule for presentations.  

Other: You will need community judges to score presentations which would need training and details provided on the logistics, scoring, and discussion guide that they would use during each presentation. 

Classes from across the region would present their capstone projects with time for questions and discussion about the project, what students have learned, and how they hope to continue using their civic power in the years to come.