Rendell Center For Civics And Civic Engagement

The rendell center for civics and civic engagement is continuing to develop k-12 civics curriculum entitled "we the civics kids" as well as other curricula and pedagogical tools that assist educators in the promotion of civic education and active citizenship among students. The largest program is our literature based mock trial initiative, which continues to expand, serving over 600 students and 20 classes in 2023, and over 900 students and 34 classes in 2024. An offshoot of the literature based mock trial program is our read aloud initiative which served 138 classes and 3400 students.

The rendell center is also partnering with the annenberg public policy center of the university of pennsylvania on judicial independence. Work includes podcasts, webinars and professional development programs for teachers, as well as development of a course and programming on the first amendment for community college students.

The rendell center for civics and civic engagement hosts a yearly competition entitled the citizenship challenge. The competition is an essay contest for 4th and 5th graders in the philadelphia and pittsburgh area and encourages students to get involved by submitting essays on various constitutional issues facing our democracy. Cash and curriculum prizes are awarded to the classrooms of the top entries. In 2024, the center had students from pittsburgh - philadelphia competing in the in person finals at the national constitution center. Over 300 essays were submitted.the rendell center for civics and civic engagement also offers opportunities for educators and students to develop knowledge, practices and dispositions of engaged citizenship. These include the organization of speaking engagements, experiential learning activities as well as professional development opportunities for teachers including webinars and workshops. For the general public and those interested in civics education the rendell center conducts webinars and educational symposiums.