Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate

The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate will expand access to its immersive civics learning experience to enable educators to incorporate inquiry-based civics activities in their classrooms. The museum will develop and test digital tools to allow students to participate from their classrooms in a Senate debate on a real-life bill based on its "Today's Vote in the Classroom" program, currently offered on-site in its full-scale reproduction of the United States Senate Chamber. Project activities will involve the development of a web portal prototype, and the design and production of instructional video and web tools. A Beta test site will host program materials that will be shared with teachers in several states where participating educators will use the materials in their classrooms, and participate in a formative evaluation phase. The museum will partner with WGBH in the full implementation phase, which will involve the enrollment of nationwide participants, ongoing professional development, and maintenance of the online program.