Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate

The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate will develop a project-based learning program to train teachers to facilitate civil discussions about critical policy issues among students with differing perspectives. The pilot Civil Conversations program will be designed for 8th and 11th graders taking advanced placement government classes. The museum will engage a formal partner to assist with program development and train at least eight teachers to test the model with 200 students. Following the testing phase, the museum will train 10 master teachers from other states, who will share the program with teachers in their regions. The project will also create a community of practice for participating educators. An evaluator will design instruments to assess changes in educator and student knowledge, skills, behavior and attitudes.