This program is all about Arizona middle and high school students solving problems in their communities. They create portfolios that demonstrate their problem, show possible solutions, their public policy to solve the problem and an action plan for implementing their policy. They then begin to prepare for a Legislative Simulated Hearing which will allow them to demonstrate their knowledge and expertise.

The National Conference of State Legislatures, the Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education, and many members of the Arizona Legislature have formed a partnership to promote this worthy, educational program for Arizona's youth.

The Showcase, sponsored by the Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education, consists of two components for the middle school students to display their knowledge and expertise. Portfolios are displayed in a public forum for two weeks and the oral hearings have two to four members of the community who are responsible for listening to the students' prepared testimony about the problem they've chosen and then for asking follow-up questions. The oral part of the showcase consists of two rounds followed by an awards luncheon for all the students, teachers and judges. The winner of the state showcase will represent Arizona at the National showcase held in conjunction with the National Conference of State Legislature's summer meeting.

Visit Project Citizen

Volunteer Opportunities

School Year
Attorneys, judges and community members entering the classroom as resource people on public policy and constitutional law

March7
Payson, Phoenix, Mesa, Tucson
Attorneys, judges and community members participating in the District Showcase as judges. Timers are also needed

May
Phoenix
Attorneys, judges and community members participating in the District Showcase as judges. Timers are also needed

Attorneys, judges and community members participating in the State Showcase as judges. Timers are also needed