Today, FSS 8th-grade students participated in the final debate of their Race to the Presidency project, a hands-on assignment tied to their civics curriculum. The annual project requires students to research important political issues, develop their own stances, and collaborate in campaign teams. Throughout the project, students worked to lobby school district members, representing various companies and organizations ranging from Big Pharma to the teachers union, in order to secure support and funding for their campaigns. A key part of their efforts involved creating campaign materials, including billboards displayed on bulletin boards throughout the school, as well as designing flyers and buttons to promote their political parties.
The project culminated today with a debate in the FSS auditorium, where the final two presidential and vice presidential candidates presented their positions to their peers. The candidates, who were assigned fictional political parties, addressed a range of issues relevant to students and the broader political landscape. Their thorough research and quick thinking allowed them to impressively navigate the debate, especially when responding to questions from their classmates.
Adding to the excitement, the event featured a panel of special guests. School Principal, Mr. Bates, acted as the debate moderator, while Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Laura Friend and Senator Robyn Kennedy asked questions representing different news networks. After the debate, students had the opportunity to engage directly with the visiting Senator, asking about her motivations for running for office, her daily responsibilities, and key political issues in Massachusetts. This real-world interaction gave students a unique opportunity to connect classroom learning with actual political processes and people!
To learn more about the Race to the Presidency project, and to hear directly from previous students, check out The Great Road "Episode 4: Race to the Presidency".