March 15, 2023 Submitted by Hingham Public Schools
HHS students recently visited the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the U.S. Senate. Grade eleven and twelve students enrolled in American Political Systems participated in a simulated U.S. Senate session with a live floor debate. Students had the opportunity to speak at the front of the chamber to argue their points to the class. Students also learned about the history of voting rights legislation as well as about gerrymandering, constituent services, stakeholder groups, and in general how bills become laws. They had a chance to learn and interact in the recreated Senate Chamber as a whole group as well as in small breakout groups.
This field trip is an annual event for the American Political Systems classes. This elective class is taught by HHS teacher Christina O’Connor who was selected as Massachusetts History Teacher of the Year for 2021.
For more information on the program, please visit https://www.emkinstitute.org/.