A unique summer experience that empowers high school students to take action in response to today’s issues.
Date
In-Person: July 7 - 27, 2023 | Virtual: July 10-28
Duration
3 Weeks
Location
Stanford University | Virtual
Cost
$5,295 | Virtual: TBA (2023 Price $695)
Applications for the 2023 program cohort are now closed.
About the Program
The Stern Civics Immersion Program is a three-week residential summer program, also offered virtually.
Junior State of America’s Civics Immersion Program is designed to engage high school students with the most pressing issues facing our democracy today, challenging them to look beyond differences and focus on solution-oriented action. Participants gain a complete understanding of critical issues directly from the decision-makers who shape public policy and apply lessons learned to generate ideas for direct action in their communities.
Previous courses include Environmental Justice, Global Poverty, Inequality and Justice, and Design Thinking for Community Problem Solving. In addition to the primary course of study each summer, all students will take a supplementary course: Argumentation and Use of Evidence.
Who Should Attend?
The material for the Civics Immersion program is designed for high school students in 9th-12th grade.
2023 Confirmed Speaker (In-Person Program)
Kristin Hansen (Spring 2023) is the Executive Director of Civic Health Project, a nonpartisan nonprofit philanthropy, where she is dedicated to accelerating the efforts of practitioners, creatives, and academics who seek to reduce polarization, foster social cohesion, and improve civil discourse in America's citizenry, politics, and media. Read Kristin's full bio.
2023 Facilitators (Virtual Program)
Todd Green and Homayra Ziad will be facilitating a workshop session on our engagement with government and civil society, how and why we have wanted to take our knowledge of religion into the public square, and some of the challenges and opportunities we have faced. Todd Green is Executive Director of America Indivisible, a nonprofit based in Washington, D.C., dedicated to countering racism against Muslims and those perceived as Muslim from Arab, Black, Sikh and South Asian communities. Homayra Ziad is a scholar-activist, educator and writer, Director of the Program in Islamic Studies at Johns Hopkins University, and Board President of the ACLU Maryland.
Engage with college-level curriculum that interests you
Learn how to lead your own activism projects
Meet inspiring leaders who are changing their communities
Make friends with students who share your interests
Goals & Outcomes
Students who participate in our Civics Immersion program will:
1
Be better equipped to participate in government at the national, state, and local levels
2
Be able to lead and participate in civil conversations with people from different backgrounds and perspectives
3
Learn and demonstrate effective 21st-century leadership skills
4
Be ready to address current and future political, economic, and social issues facing the world
5
Be better suited to succeed in secondary and post-secondary education environments
6
Develop and hone essential critical thinking skills
Stern Civics Immersion In-Person Courses
Campaigns & Elections: The Politics of Change in America facilitated by: David McCuan
Global Poverty, Inequality, & Justice facilitated by: Azamat Sakiev
Global Conflict facilitated by: Stephen Magu
Democracy & Social Media facilitated by: Andrea McClanahan
Argumentation & Use of Evidence facilitated by: Thomas Arndt
Stern Civics Immersion Virtual Program
Classes will be held daily from 9am - 12pm PT, Monday - Friday July 6 - July 22, 2022.
Design Thinking for Community Problem Solving facilitated by: Casey Jagusch
I learned so much about environmental justice! If I had to pick one thing that was reinforced throughout this program it would be the idea that all movements are interconnected and intersect.
I joined the Civics Immersion Program to gain some knowledge and awareness about modern-day issues. I also wanted to have a network of students and teachers that I could reach out to whenever I needed help.
FAQs
Have questions?
How do I apply to JSA Summer Programs?
You can apply to JSA Summer Programs through our online portal, JSAConnect. First, you must create a JSAConnect account. Students can register, check their invoices, and pay online at JSAConnect. Fees must be paid before the program begins, or students will not be allowed to attend. The easiest and most secure way is to pay online via the JSAConnect portal. If necessary, you can also mail a check to our office or call (800) 334-5353 to inquire about paying over the phone.
Do I need to be a member of JSA to attend Summer Experiences?
No. Summer experiences are open to all high school students between 9th–12th grade.
Are transcripts or letters of recommendation required for Summer Programs?
No. Neither school transcripts nor letters of recommendation are required as part of your application to JSA Summer Programs.
What is included in my tuition?
Tuition includes room and board on the university campus or at the program hotel, all JSA planned extracurricular activities, and all instructional materials.
Are scholarships available for Summer Experiences?
Yes! Junior State of America is committed to making its programs accessible to all who are interested. Scholarship opportunities are available for all of our summer programs. Students can apply for scholarships as part of their program application.
Do I need to be vaccinated to attend in-person events?
All summer program attendees must be vaccinated: two initial doses and a booster.