SCHS: About the Society — Rosette Detail

Groundbreaking Collaboration Brings Civics Education Program Launch to St. Louis

St. Louis — The Supreme Court Historical Society, the United States Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit, the Eastern District Court of Missouri and the Federal Bar Association, St. Louis Chapter Launch “The Supreme Court and My Hometown” Program for St. Louis Area High School Students at the Thomas F. Eagleton US Courthouse.

The “Hometowns” program, a nationwide initiative, kicking-off in St. Louis, engages high school students, over the course of a semester, in an intensive study of the process and substantive issues of cases decided by the Supreme Court of the United States in a unique and personalized way. A distinguishing feature of this program is that students focus on a Supreme Court case that originated in their hometowns and local courts. The St. Louis program explores both the Constitutional questions as well as the procedural history of Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier (1985). The course of study will immerse the students in an analysis of the facts, trials, and appeals that led to the Supreme Court decisions.

The program encourages students to interact with their local government and communities based on what they have learned throughout their study. At the end of the program sessions, students will design an installation in the Judicial Learning Center at the Thomas F. Eagleton Courthouse as a capstone project that further solidifies their learning, enhances their creative skills, and engages with their community.

This groundbreaking program would not be possible without the following presenters, mentors, and collaborators:

  • The Supreme Court Historical Society

  • The Judicial Learning Center, Thomas F. Eagleton US Courthouse

  • Nicole Carlson MaffeiDirector of Civics Education, Supreme Court Historical Society

  • Rachel E. MarshallPublic Education & Community Outreach, Thomas F. Eagleton US Courthouse

  • Chief District Judge Stephen Clark

  • District Judge Rodney Sippel

  • Chief Magistrate Judge Shirley Mensah, Eastern District Court of Missouri

  • Michael GansClerk of Court (8th Circuit), Federal Defenders Office, Eastern District Court of Missouri

  • US Attorney’s Office, Eastern District Court of Missouri

  • ACLU, Missouri

  • Husch Blackwell, St. Louis

  • Lisa Hoppenjans — Associate Professor of Practice and Director, First Amendment Clinic, Washington University

  • Cathy Kuhlmeier — Plaintiff and Historical Resource

  • Professor Marcia Goldsmith — St. Louis University School of Law Supreme Court Advocate

  • Professor Richard Katskee — Duke University School of Law

For More Information:

Rachel E. Marshall
314-244-2410
Rachel_Marshall@ca8.uscourts.gov

Nicole Carlson Maffei
202-543-0400
nmaffei@supremecourthistory.org

The Supreme Court Historical Society (“Society”) is a not for profit 501(c)(3) membership organization dedicated to preserving and collecting the history of the Supreme Court of the United States, increasing public awareness of the Court’s contribution to our nation’s rich constitutional heritage, and acquiring knowledge covering the history of the entire Judicial Branch. The Society conducts educational programs for students and teachers, and programs of interest to legal practitioners, scholars, historians, and the public. The Society supports historical research, promotes scholarship, and engages in civic education outreach. It also funds a print and digital publishing program that produces the Journal of Supreme Court History, reference books, documentary history, and civic documentaries. Additionally, the Society identifies and acquires artworks, furniture, documents, and artifacts of significance to Supreme Court history that are incorporated into exhibits prepared by the Supreme Court Curator’s Office for the benefit of the Court’s half million annual visitors.