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For Release: CONTACT: Frank H. Mackaman The Dirksen Congressional Center 301 South 4th Street, Suite A Pekin, IL 61554 [log in to unmask] Phone: (309) 347-7113 Fax: (309) 347-6432 CALL FOR PARTICIPATION: Congress in the Classroom 2002 Congress in the ClassroomŪ is a national, award-winning education program now in its tenth year. It is sponsored by The Dirksen Congressional Center located in Pekin, Illinois in cooperation with Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois, and is dedicated to the exchange of ideas and information on teaching about Congress. Congress in the ClassroomŪ is designed for secondary school teachers and junior and community college faculty who teach U.S. history, government civics, political science, or social studies. Between 30 and 35 teachers are selected each year to take part in the program. Nearly 200 applied for the 2001 program. The 2002 program theme will be "Congress and Public Policy." Individual sessions and presenters that will be offered include: - Congressman Ray LaHood (R-IL), "The Public Policy Achievements and Disappointments of the 107th Congress" - Michael Eichberg, Science Policy Fellow, American Chemical Society, "Science Policy in the 107th Congress: Stem Cell and Cloning Research Contrasted with Bioterrorism Policy" - Jay Farrar and Moira Whelan, Center for Strategic and International Studies, "Emerging National Security Issues" - Dan Fouts, Maine West High School (Des Plaines, IL), "MindUniversity: An Internet Teaching Tool" - Steve Frantzich, Professor of Political Science, U.S. Naval Academy, "Teaching about Congressional Policymaking Using the Internet" - Pamela S. Katz, Associate Professor of Legal Studies, The Sage Colleges, "Separation of Powers: Another Victim of September 11?" - Cindy Koeppel and Frank Mackaman, The Dirksen Congressional Center, "The Dirksen Center's Web Suite: A Resource for the Classroom" - D. Eric Schansberg, Professor of Economics, Indiana University (New Albany), "Public Choice Economics: Understanding the Intersection Between Economic and Political Markets" - Steven E. Schier, Professor of Political Science, Carleton College, "What Young People Ought to Know about Congress but Probably Don't" - George Southworth, Associate Director, Public Affairs, National Association of Manufacturers, "Congressional Insight: A Computer Simulation of a Member's First Term in the House of Representatives" - Loren Yager, Director, International Affairs and Trade Issues, U.S. General Accounting Office, "Trade Policy: Exploring Global Pressures, Domestic Interests, and Partisan Politics" "Best Practices for Teaching About Congress and Government" [demonstrations by participating teachers of effective lesson plans and teaching strategies] Participants will also gain experience with The Center's educational Web site, CongressLink -- (http://www.congresslink.org/) -- which features online access to lesson plans, student activities, historical materials, related Web sites, and subject matter experts. Throughout the program participants will work with the national experts, listed above, as well as colleagues from across the nation. This combination of first-hand knowledge and peer-to-peer interaction will present new ideas, materials, and a professionally enriching experience. The workshop will be held July 29 - August 1, 2002, on the campus of Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. Congress in the ClassroomŪ is free to participants. Participants will have the option of purchasing one hour of graduate credit from Bradley University; the cost in 2001 was $415. The deadline for application is April 17, 2002. Enrollment is competitive and limited to thirty-five. Selection will be determined by The Center. Individuals will be notified of their acceptance status by May 15. Take a look at The Dirksen Center Web site - (http://www.pekin.net/dirksen/progcongressinclassroom.htm) -- to see what participants say about the program. If you are interested in registering for the Congress in the ClassroomŪ 2002 workshop, you can complete an online registration form found at: (http://www.pekin.net/dirksen/CiCapplication.htm).