APS Civics
Education Initiative
APS Civics Education Initiative
Through this work, we communicate and reinforce the message that being capable of having fact-based, civil conversations with people who see issues differently is a worthwhile, and in fact, critical skill that forms the basis for our democracy.
The APS Civility Tool Kit, used at all APS programs and in the APS college and high school curriculum, was created to cultivate civil conversations among panelists and community members alike.
In Spring 2024, students in the CEI program will host a signature event, “Triggering Change: Engaging Community to Combat Firearms.”
How you can help
Special memberships are available to students and educators for $25.
Show your support of civics education with a $25 donation that will be used to provide a membership to a local student or educator.
High School
At the High School level, we offer a custom-created learning series called “Reimagine the Square,” taught in the Fall at participating schools across the Kansas City community. What students learn in the Fall semester is then applied to a project-based learning (PBL) experience in the Spring semester, which gives all participating students the opportunity to work together to build their own APS style program.
A special thanks goes to our 2023-24 participating high schools:
Belton High School, Guadalupe Center, Lee’s Summit West High School, Olathe North High School, Shawnee Mission North High School, St. Teresa’s Academy, and University Academy
College
The College Level of our Student Initiative can be segmented into two opportunities:
Interns & Student Planning Committee
APS collegiate interns participate in and oversee the APS Student Committee, with support from the APS Civics Education Associate. Students work together to increase civic engagement throughout their student body by hosting events and offering their peers opportunities to convene and discuss pressing local, regional and national issues.
Summer interns partner with APS staff in hands-on work that spans a number of aspects of organizational operations, including marketing, program planning, development, and more.
APS 2023 Intern: Ian Wooldridge
My name is Ian Wooldridge; I am a sophomore Political Science major at William Jewell College. I am an active member on the hill where I sing in all three choral ensembles, serve as the records and finance officer of student senate, and in addition serve as the vice president of my fraternity Lambda Chi Alpha. I am also a fellow of the Honors Institute of Critical Thought and Inquiry and the Pryor Leadership program. I became interested in civic education early on in my life and have been a part of several elections, including as a campaign manager for a local city council position. Outside of school I volunteer with a local Scouts BSA unit as a merit badge counselor for Citizenship in Society.
APS 2023 Intern: Jamie Schenck
Jamie Schenck is a sophomore at William Jewell College. She is majoring in Political Science and International Relations, and she is a fellow of the Honor’s Institute of Critical Thinking. On campus, she is involved in the William Jewell Dance Team and Alpha Gamma Delta.
APS 2023 Intern: Alexander Walls
I am a student at William Jewell College majoring in international relations and institutions and policy. I am a member of the Pryor Leadership Program and the Oxbridge Honors Program. I am involved in the student senate and the band at Jewell. I have completed a political and educational internship. My interests are music, politics, and philosophy.
