Schools around the globe are invited to join a new program being offered by The National Constitution Center called, THE EXCHANGE: Should Same-Sex Couples Have the Right to Marry?" This program will be offered on January 21, 2010 from 12:30-2:00 PM EST. The Cost is FREE and the program is open to schools who have access to Internet2 connected networks and H.323 videoconferencing equipment.

The National Constitution Center is excited to invite your school to participate in the 2009 – 2010 season of its national high student program, The Exchange: A Marketplace of Student Ideas.  The next video conference will take place from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM EST Thursday, January 21st 2010.  This installment of The Exchange, “Should same-sex couples have the right to marry?” asks students to consider ways to address the issues of equal protection of the law and federalism manifest in the debate over same-sex marriage and to work together to find common ground.  The discussion will be hosted by SuChin Pak from MTV and Discovery Channel’s Planet Green and moderated by Dr. Michael Hogan co-director of the Center for Democratic Deliberation and Pennsylvania State University.
 
Students will have the opportunity to be heard by and hear from other students around the country using Internet2 video conferencing technology.  It is an exciting way for students to discuss current constitutional issues with their classmates and peers in other parts of the nation.
 
Schools that participate in The Exchange will be asked to use a free lesson provided by the National Constitution Center to prepare their students to be part of the conversation.
 
If your school chooses to participate in The Exchange, you will be asked to select one student to be part of the nationwide video conference round table.  Only one student, your schools’ student representative, is allowed to speak to the national audience during the video conference.  If a student other than your student representative speaks without prior authorization, then your school will be disconnected form the video conference.
 
During the video conference, students will have an opportunity to interact with each other and share their thoughts on the constitutionality of same-sex marriage. Students will use this deliberation to recommend ways for state and federal governments to address the issue of same-sex marriage.  

Participating schools must have connectivity to the INTERNET2 network and the ability to do H.323 videoconferencing.
 
While there is no cost to participate in this event, we do ask schools to work to make sure this event is a success.  Participating schools will be responsible for the following:
 
Participation and successful completion of videoconference testing prior to the event with the National Constitution Center;
Selection of one student representative;
Preparation of students through the use of the provided Exchange lesson plan and resources;
Uploading your class’s and individual students’ Point of View on the issue of same-sex marriage on the Call to Action page at www.constitutioncenter.org/exchange <http://www.constitutioncenter.org/exchange> . 

I hope you are able to participate in this unique educational opportunity.  If interested, please contact Jason Allen at either jallen@constitutioncenter.org or 215.409.6644 by Monday January 11th 2010 for registration and information.  Registration will be on a first come, first served basis. 
 
Mandatory Internet2 testing for all sites will be on Friday January 15th from 1 PM to 3 PM EST.  Once you have confirmed that you have Internet2 capabilities, please contact Jason Allen to reserve a testing time.