High School

Buckeye Boys State

Buckeye Boys State is a 9-day hands-on experience in the operation of the democratic form of government, the organization of political parties, and the relationship of one to the other in shaping Ohio government. The program is sponsored by the Ohio American Legion. At Boys State, young men learn about city, county, and state government through a nonpartisan objective education approach. Website >

Buckeye Girls State

Buckeye Girls State is designed to educate Ohio’s young women in the duties, privileges, rights, and responsibilities of good citizenship. By getting involved in the process, delegates can learn more about city, county, and state government in one week than they will learn in an entire semester of high school. The program is sponsored by the Ohio American Legion. The program has been honored by such organizations as Freedom’s Foundation at Valley Forge and the National Association of Secondary School Principals. Website >

Congressional Academy of Ohio

The Ohio Historical Society’s Congressional Academy for Students of American History and Civics Education provides a traditional American history and civics education experience to Ohio high school students. The Congressional Academy begins each year with a weeklong Field School held during the summer followed by a student-led and locally based history or civics project to be completed over the course of the subsequent school year. Each school team will be awarded a $2,500 stipend upon the completion of the Field School. Website >

HI-Y Model United Nations

The HI-Y Model United Nations is a program in which students serve as diplomatic representatives at a United Nations Council and General Assembly, represent a nation with up to six students, speak as their nation would speak, vote as their nation would vote, and tell their nation’s story. The program is sponsored by the HI-Y Leadership Center 400 Main Street, P.O. Box 239 Pt. Pleasant, WV 25550; 304/675-5899; website >

Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY)

The vision of HOBY is to motivate and empower individuals to make a positive difference within our global society through understanding and action based on effective and compassionate leadership. The programs include “Community Leadership Workshops,” “U.S. State Leadership Seminars,” and “World Leadership Congress.” Website >

Kids Voting Ohio

Kids Voting Ohio is an innovative nonpartisan, nonprofit program for students in grades K-12 that encourages greater civic involvement through a school-based educational program. Students learn about responsible citizenship and the democratic process using award winning curriculum activities developed for Kids Voting Ohio by classroom teachers. It works with local schools and communities to create positive civic experiences for youth including the opportunity to learn about and vote in elections. The KVO programs are: Northeast Region, Central Region, and Greater Dayton Region. Website >

Law Day Essay Contest

Ohio State Bar Association website provides guidelines for legal professionals and teachers who wish to stage their own Law Day contest. Website >

Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Oratorical Contest

This statewide oratorical contest is held in April in Columbus. The contest has five divisions: Kindergarten, primary (grades 1-3), intermediate (grades 4-5), junior (grades 6-8),and senior (grades 9-12). For more information on the statewide oratorical contest, contact the Ohio Department of Administrative Services’ Equal Opportunity Division at 614/466-8380.

Model UN

This one-day program is held in November at the University of Dayton. It is organized by students in the university’s international studies program. Registration is held sometime in September. More information: 937/229-2765; Website >

National History Day in Ohio

National History Day is an exciting way for students to study and learn about historical issues, ideas, people, and events. This yearlong educational program fosters academic achievement and intellectual growth. In addition to acquiring useful historical knowledge and perspective during the series of district, state and national competitions, students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills that will help them manage and use information now and in the future. Website >

Ohio Association of Student Councils (OASC)

The Ohio Association of Student Councils is a statewide organization designed to help improve and promote the student council program in Ohio’s secondary schools. It is sponsored by the Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators and is affiliated with the Division of Student Activities of the National Association of Secondary School Administrators. The purposes of OASC is to promote the concept of the modern student council movement; provide opportunities for the training of leaders, the practice of good citizenship, and the promotion of democracy as a way of life; provide a medium of exchange for ideas, activities and problems; assist individual schools in matters directly related to the student council organization. The OASC is affiliated with the National Association of Student Councils (NASC). Website >

Ohio Mock Trial Program

The Ohio Mock Trial program is an academic competition designed to foster a better understanding of the American democratic legal system and to encourage development of analytical and communication skills. In moving from the classroom to the courtroom, high school students add an important dimension to their learning experience in citizenship education. Through first-hand experience, the Mock Trial Competition can serve to teach students about their rights and responsibilities under the Constitution and prepare students for possible future involvement as parties, witnesses, and jurors in trials. Website >

Ohio Model United Nations

Ohio Model United Nations is a 3-day global education simulation experience that allows students in grades 6-12 to learn about the complete operations of the United Nations and its role as the world’s largest international peacekeeping and humanitarian organization. Through the process of role-playing, students become delegates of a selected nation in order to write, present and debate issues affecting the nations and peoples of the world. Additionally, students present culturally based talent, participate in global education contests and debate current issues from the agenda of the United Nations. Website >

Summer Leadership Intern Program (SLIP)

Since 1994, Columbus City Schools, in partnership with Columbus Bar Association, offered seniors-to-be an exciting work and educational opportunity. For 8 weeks, students selected to participate in SLIP worked as interns in law firms and government agencies in or near the downtown area. As interns, they assisted in filing, copying, acting as messengers or working in law libraries. Coupled with the work experience was an intense educational program that included studying the legal system, visiting courtrooms, meeting with judges and attorneys and participating in mock trials. In addition, they participated in pre-program workshops throughout May and attended half-day sessions on Saturdays throughout the summer. Students who successfully completed the program earned one full credit toward graduation. For further information, call the Columbus Bar Association at 614/221-4112.

We the People

We the People…The Citizen and the Constitution is an instructional program on the history and principles of American constitutional democracy for elementary, middle, and high school students. The program is based on curricular materials developed by the Center for Civic Education and acclaimed by leading educators. Simulated congressional hearings (excellent for performance assessment) are built into the curriculum. At the high school level, classes may choose to enter a competition structured as a simulated hearing where their knowledge of the Constitution is tested. The Ohio program is coordinated by the Ohio Center for Law-Related Education, Website >

Youth in Government

Youth in Government provides high school students a foundation in democracy and responsible citizenship. It enables them to learn the role and process of state government. Students learn by serving as legislators, Supreme Court justices, officers, lobbyists, members of the press, or page delegates to the Model Legislature and Supreme Court. Youth in Government begins each September in high schools throughout the state. Training conferences are held in November and June. In April, students meet at their state capitol. There, a 3-day Model Legislature and Supreme Court are held using the actual legislative and court facilities. The program is sponsored by the HI-Y Leadership Center 400 Main Street, P.O. Box 239 Pt. Pleasant, WV 25550; 304/675-5899; Website >

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