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| Sean Southard and Jacob Abrahamson Class of 2015 and Class of 2017 |
"Have you ever wanted to know what it’s like to be a Senator? Two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to attend the dedication of the bipartisan Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate in Boston, Massachusetts. Soon, students across the nation will travel to the institute to participate in immersive programs that imitate the US Senate.
The Institute features a full-scale replica of the United States Senate chambers, down to the desks, walls, and carpet. The major difference between the Senate chambers in Washington, D.C. and the replica in Boston is that the Kennedy Institute is fully equipped with the latest smart technology. Students visiting the chambers are given a touchpad with the identity of a Senator (either real or imaginary) and a piece of legislation that they will work on. The students then participate in a mock Senate program that follows the legislative process by introducing a bill, shepherding it through the committee process and debating the policy with one’s party caucus before moving to the Senate floor for debate and a vote. Through this process, the Institute aims at educating K-12 and college students about the political and legislative process in an immersive way..."
Read Sean's whole blog for RunSwitch PR, "So You Want to Be a Senator", here.
Sean Southard is a senior McConnell Scholar at the University of Louisville. He studies history and political science.