Partnership with the National Constitution Center: Peer-to-Peer Scholar Exchange Program

If you are looking for an easy, fun and rewarding way to help further two of the College’s important goals – civics education and outreach to the greater community – the College is excited to announce a partnership with the National Constitution Center to teach civics to students through their Peer-to-Peer Scholar Exchange Program.

The program relies on volunteer judges, attorneys, historians and educators to engage virtually via Zoom with classes of high school, middle school and college students to discuss selected constitutional topics throughout the year. The classes are interactive to further engage the students and foster an environment conducive to student voice and discovery.

To sign up to be a volunteer scholar, please complete this sign-up sheet.

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The Center develops the content and the educational materials are of the highest quality. In addition to providing training to new volunteer scholars, the Center also handles the logistics of scheduling, advertising the programs and matching the appropriate scholar. Because the forty-five minute classes are offered throughout the year and scholars do not have to commit to a presentation until two weeks in advance, the scholar’s time commitment is minimal and flexible; making it ideal for trial lawyers with unpredictable schedules.

Interested in Signing Up? Next Steps:

Anyone is welcome to observe a class to become more familiar with the program. Join the NCC mailing list by signing up here and you will receive the list of upcoming classes every two weeks. The list will include the dates, time, topic, and grade level of the participating class. If a class works for your schedule, please communicate your interest by emailing Sarah Harris or Kevin Lynch at the National Constitution Center. You will receive the link to join the meeting as well as the PowerPoint and content script so can follow along. Observing a session is not mandatory before participating but many new scholars have found it helpful to get a sense of the flow and logistics of the class. You can observe as many classes as you like, then email when you are ready to participate as the scholar! We look forward to working with you!

FAQs
Are the classes taught in person?
No, all classes are taught virtually; usually on Zoom and are scheduled for 45 minutes. The scholar, NCC moderator and class(es) of students will join to discuss a topic related to the Constitution. 
What are the topics being taught?

Year Round Offerings

  • Bill of Rights                                                             
  • First Amendment: Speech and Press
  • Federalism and Separation of Powers             
  • Fourteenth Amendment
  • Constitutional Conversations                             
  • Voting Rights 

Featured Topics 

  • Principles of the American Revolution
  • The Constitutional Convention
  • Article II: The Presidency and the Electoral College
  • Second Amendment
  • Article I: How Congress Can Work
  • Documents in the Founders’ Library
  • Amending the Constitution
  • Fourth Amendment
  • First Amendment: Speech and Press I: Text, History and Theory
  • First Amendment: Speech and Press II: Modern Questions
  • Landmark Civil Rights Cases
  • Civil War and Reconstruction
  • Women and the Constitution
  • Landmark Supreme Court Cases
  • A.P. Founding Documents
  • A.P. Supreme Court Cases
  • Supreme Court I: Article III and Landmark Cases
  • Supreme Court II: Term Preview
Do I need training?
New scholars also have the opportunity to observe classes prior to their first presentation. Observing a session is not mandatory before participating but many new scholars have found it helpful to get a sense of the flow and logistics of the class. 
Can I observe a class before teaching my own class?
You can observe as many classes as you like, then email when you are ready to participate as the scholar!
What is the overall commitment for volunteers?
There is no minimum commitment – you can do one class, periodic classes, monthly classes, or whatever fits with your schedule.

The NCC keeps a mailing list of participating scholars and scholars can decide whenever there is a class time that works for their schedule. 
What exactly is involved when teaching a class?
Once a class time has been agreed upon, the NCC will send along the zoom link to join as well as a content script and PowerPoint that is used in each class. The script is paired with the slides of the presentation and provides a framework for the discussion. However, scholars are encouraged to include personal experiences and observations during the class. 







Program Reach: The demand for the program continues to grow each year!

2021-2022 School Year

  • Number of sessions: 328
  • Number of students: 9,784 (36 States)

2022-2023 School Year

  • Number of sessions: 339
  • Number of students: 10,616 (44 States)

2023-2024 School Year

  • Number of sessions: 414
  • Number of students: 11,217 (34 States, as well as Washington, D.C and the country of Colombia)