Welcome to Science Court!
Science Court is a project designed to combat polarization in American society and strengthen democracy. It is run as an interdisciplinary course in the University of Minnesota Honors Program involving students from across the university. The students select a controversial issue and spend an entire semester studying it in depth to determine the facts (based on sound scientific research) and then argue it in a mock trial in front of a jury of citizens with a mix of views and backgrounds. The public is engaged through compelling audio, video and online content generated by the students about the preparations, trial and verdict. The trial is free and open to the public.
LATEST BLOG POSTS
OUR CASE WAS ON THE MINNEAPOLIS MIDTERM BALLOT!
So, this is pretty cool: the topic we selected to debate for our SciCourt class case was actually on the midterm ballot in Minneapolis! On November 6th, Minneapolis voters were asked to decide if a school district should get more money to pay for more technology for students in public schools. As it turns out, 72% of Minneapolitians were willing to pay slightly higher taxes in order to put more technology in classrooms. But is this a good thing?
Here is what Luke Diamond (pictured on the right), our intrepid podcaster, had to say:
“If you think that Science Court is just putting around issues that don't really affect the public…that don't really affect you...you might reconsider. Because this year [if you live in Minneapolis], you will be paying the government a couple hundred bucks to put tech in classrooms."
Hear more in Episode 8 of the SciCourt Podcast as Luke looks at this issue and how we will be discussing this is SciCourt:
Meet the People Behind SciCourt!
Want to know more about the people behind SciCourt! Read on to hear directly from the instructors about why they are involved, what they do, and what they hope SciCourt will accomplish.
Or if you would rather listen, take a look at Luke Diamond's recent podcast to hear more from the Lauren Clatch (Science Team Advisor) and Collin Tierney (Legal Team Advisor)!
Q: Why did you create SciCourt?
What is 1:1 Tech?
Watch this video, by Porter Larkin, to learn more about what 1:1 Tech really means!