The Exchange: A Marketplace of Student Ideas

The Exchange is the National Constitution Center’s conversations series among high school students that promotes deliberation on current constitutional issues. Each program is supported by a lesson plan and readings created by our education team. It is an exciting way for students to explore relevant and meaningful issues with their peers from other parts of the nation. Participation in The Exchange allows your students to use the skills necessary for being a responsible citizenship: appreciating the mechanics of our nation’s democratic process, understanding the Constitution, voicing one’s opinions, and finding consensus with other citizens.

Each installment of The Exchange is designed to ignite a constitutional dialogue about a different hot topic among students. The program enables educators to provide their students with the necessary resources to meaningfully take part in the conversation and continue it in their classrooms.

The National Constitution Center, with generous support from the Annenberg Foundation and Scholastic, will host the sixth installment of The Exchange on Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22, 2009, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. EDT. Students from across the country will deliberate on the question: Should a clean and healthy environment be a constitutional right? The debate over climate-change and emission standards, which has taken center stage as one of the Obama administration’s priorities and with actions being taken by governments around the world. The focus of this installment will be on how this constitutional controversy is impacted by current political and economic issues.

Schools can join the conversation by participating in the live video-conference, watching the webcast at The Exchange online community portal or by using the provided lesson in civic learning. Students can send questions and comments, as well as create and post their own media including art, video, and websites, via The Exchange online community at The Exchange online community portal.

In late May 2009 The Exchange will offer an event geared specifically towards Advanced Placement students.

If you have any questions or are interested in participating, please contact Jason Allen at jallen@constitutioncenter.org or 215.409.6644.