The League of Women Voters of Juneau is sponsoring Capitol Visits for all 350 eighth graders in the Capital City during this 2016 legislative session. With their teachers, eighth graders are learning about the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government.
The program includes a tour of the Capitol where they meet legislators, are introduced on the House floor, meet the Lt. Governor, and listen to presentations on the budget. Exposure to the executive branch takes place at the State Office Building. The attendance at court arraignments and presentations by judges and attorneys introduce them to the judicial branch.
The LVWJ has been coordinating with social study teachers for the past year to create this program for local students. Members of the LWVJ designed the daylong program and are providing experienced volunteer instructors and bus transportation. Students pose questions and engage enthusiastically with their elected leaders and government employees throughout the day.
The League of Women Voters is a national non-partisan political organization that seeks to make democracy work in a number of ways, including informing and educating voters. What better way to do so than starting with students who will be eligible to vote in five years? The program is also designed to ensure that Juneau’s students experience the educational opportunity that exists in Alaska’s capital.
The students have been studying government for the past few months and may have surprised their leaders with their knowledge of state issues. One of the dedicated teachers called it “an awesome experience” and another described how the in-school curriculum was enriched by the immersion in the reality of the work of, and visits to, the three branches of government.
• Bridget Smith is the volunteer instructor for League of Women Voters. Other volunteer instructors are Joyanne Bloom, Chris Niemi, and Mary Hakala. Marjorie Menzi is the program coordinator.
