Classroom Exchanges Project

The Classroom Exchanges project of the National Constitution Center inspires students to explore fundamental questions about the U.S. Constitution. Using the National Constitution Center’s Interactive Constitution, the Classroom Exchanges project creates opportunities for students to engage in informed, civil dialogue about current constitutional issues. Students build a deep understanding of constitutional content and garner the skills needed to engage in civil dialogue. The highlight of the project is a series of online, synchronous Classroom Exchanges in which students from around the country lead and participate in Constitutional Conversations, sharing and expanding their understanding of the U.S. Constitution with peers within and beyond their classrooms. Experienced legal professionals and federal judges serve as volunteer moderators for the Exchanges.

The Classroom Exchanges project began as a pilot in 2017 called the “Lauder Project,” and was announced on Constitution Day, the national day observed each year on September 17 to commemorate the signing of the Constitution on September 17, 1787. One year later, on Constitution Day 2018, the project expanded with the piloting of an online, synchronous Classroom Exchanges. During the pilot phase, 26 classrooms, with nearly 650 high school students hailing from 19 states, registered for Classroom Exchanges, making the Constitutional Conversation a national discussion.

On Constitution Day 2019, a national expansion of the project was announced with major funding provided by a unique coalition of funders, including the Bezos Family Foundation, the Charles Koch Foundation, and the Laura and Gary Lauder Family Venture Philanthropy Fund. A key partner in the Classroom Exchanges project is the College Board, which is encouraging all 25,000 Advanced Placement teachers to register their students in the Classroom Exchanges.

Learn more at the Classroom Exchanges project website.

 

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