Courts announce "Constitution Project' for schools

There's a new contest for high school students, thanks to the Missouri Supreme Court and its Committee on Civic Education.

This week, they announced "The Constitution Project," a statewide competition in which high school students are given hands-on experience in careers "integral to our constitution and our nation."

The project is set to kick off Sept. 17, which already is designated as "Constitution Day."

In a news release, the state's judges noted that journalism, law enforcement and trial advocacy professionals will mentor Missouri students, who will be in charge of investigating and reporting a mock crime in their town, following it from the initial crime scene through the ultimate prosecution of the crime in mock trial.

Texas County Associate Circuit Judge Doug Gaston created the project as a way to engage and teach local high school students about careers in law enforcement, the court system and journalism, the news release said.

Statewide co-sponsors include the Highway Patrol, Missouri Sheriff's and Police Chiefs associations, the Missouri Press and Missouri Broadcasters associations and The Missouri Bar.

Schools interested in applying to be part of The Constitution Project should contact Judge Gaston at [email protected].