Students investigate how values and beliefs shape public policy by drafting and debating bills on immigration, migration, or environmental issues, then testing their ideas against the demands of freedom, equality, and safety. Through a Mock Congress, reflection roundtables, and a final comparative analysis of national, state, and local government responses, they learn how laws are created, revised, and applied at different levels. The work leads to a public Capitol for a Day Forum where state legislators, local officials, advocacy groups, and community members respond to student proposals as authentic stakeholders. This learning experience builds critical thinking, communication, and civic participation through evidence-based policymaking tied to real community concerns.

Students will explain how values and beliefs shape public policy and how ideas about freedom and equality influence legislation on immigration, migration, and environmental issues. They will compare how national, state, and local governments address the same policy problem differently and use that understanding to draft a bill with clear terms, evidence, and actions matched to the correct level of government. Students will evaluate sources, testimony, and community data to strengthen claims, revise proposals through feedback, and defend their decisions in debate and public presentation. They will communicate respectfully with peers and community partners, reflect after each simulation on changing ideas and remaining questions, and participate thoughtfully in democratic processes.

Students will create annotated notes from the Capitol Countdown Gallery Walk, debate prep materials, and Mock Congress speaking points that track how their ideas about freedom, equality, and safety develop. In teams, they will draft a bill on an immigration, migration, or environmental issue that includes defined terms, supporting evidence, and proposed actions matched to national, state, or local government authority, then revise it through a feedback carousel and input from legislators, advocacy groups, and conservation partners. They will also produce a policy poster or visual display for the Capitol for a Day Forum and complete a final comparative analysis explaining how national, state, and local governments would address their proposal differently. After each simulation session, students will add a brief roundtable reflection that captures one changed idea, one strong source, and one remaining question.

Begin with a Capitol Countdown Gallery Walk where students examine current headlines, maps, local data, bill excerpts, and short testimony clips on immigration, migration, and environmental policy, then leave sticky-note reactions about freedom, equality, and safety. After the walk, students cast a vote on which policy challenge is most urgent for the community and briefly justify their choice with one piece of evidence. Introduce the driving question and tell students they will serve in a Mock Congress to draft a bill with defined terms, evidence, and actions that fit national, state, or local authority. Close with a rapid debrief that surfaces initial positions, questions, and what students think government at different levels should do.

Host a “Capitol for a Day” public forum where students present their drafted bills and policy posters to families, community members, local officials, state legislators, immigrant advocacy partners, and environmental organizations. During the event, students deliver short presentations, respond to audience questions about freedom, equality, safety, and governmental roles, and collect written stakeholder feedback on the strength and feasibility of their proposals. Include a gallery-style display of bills, evidence, and comparative analysis pieces showing how national, state, and local governments would address the issue differently. Close with a recognition moment for standout proposals and a reflection wall where guests and students note how their thinking changed.