FREE Grades 7-12: Why Judges Matter: Decisions from the Bench

The role of judges in a system of separation of powers and checks and balances is to interpret the law. The only guide that judges in both the federal and state courts have for how they interpret the law is the oath they take. Federal judges swear to uphold the United States Constitution and the laws of the United States. Article VII, Section 11 of the Missouri Constitution provides that “Before taking office, all civil and military officers in this state shall take and subscribe an oath or affirmation to support the Constitution of the United States and of this state, and to demean themselves faithfully in office.” Given the general nature of these oaths, it is not surprising that there are varying, and, sometimes seemingly conflicting, ways that judges view how they should interpret the law.

Critics and Supreme Court watchers have coined several terms in an attempt to describe a particular philosophy that a judge may follow in interpreting the law while trying to decide a case. Some of these terms are judicial restraint, judicial activism, original intent, living document, and literalism. For academics, Supreme Court watchers and constitituitonal scholars, the debate about the philosophical leanings of the judges is one sure to be around for a long time. Furthermore, with every presidential election, one of the issues has become what kind of judge that president will nominate and what kind refers to a nominee’s perceived philosophy.

Without a doubt, the decisions that federal and state judges make are extremely important. How they make them and why they make them the way they do is a vitally important topic for students to explore. In honor of Constitution Day 2010, HEC-TV Live! and the Missouri Bar invite you to join our panel of federal and state judges for a fascinating conversation about how judges make their decisions and the debate about the various philosophies that arguably affect judicial interpretation. Panelists for the program will include Judge Stephen Limbaugh, Jr. of the U.S. Federal District Court of Appeals for the Eastern District of Missouri, Judge Mary Rhodes Russell of the Missouri Supreme Court, and Dr. David Robertson, Political Science Department at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

9/17/10 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Registration deadline is 9/10/10

Helen Headrick
utilization@hectv.org
3655 Olive St
St Louis, MO 63108
United States
Phone: (314) 531-4455

FREE Grades 7-12: Why Judges Matter: The Selection Process

The two core concepts found in the United States Constitution for creating a government are separation of powers and a system of check and balances. How judges are selected for the federal courts is a perfect example of how the Framers of the Constitution incorporated them into our government. While the judiciary is a separate and distinct but equal branch of government with the executive and legislative branches, both of these branches are involved with choosing judges. Article II, Section 2 provides that the president shall nominate and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint . . . judges of the Supreme Court . . . and other officials of the United States. For most of our nation’s history, the process of the president nominating someone to become a judge and the Senate confirming that nomination was fairly quick and non-controversial. However, beginning with some of President Ronald Reagan’s nominees in the 1980s and with the debut of 24 hour news media, the process has become highly visible and, at times, contentious.

How judges are selected for state courts varies from state to state. Some states have judges appointed and some states have judges elected. One example of the appointment process is the Missouri Non-Partisan Court Plan that has served as a model for many other states throughout the country. In that plan, all appellate level judges are selected through a combination of actions by the judiciary and executive branches, followed by a retention vote by the people. In recent years, some critics of the Missouri Plan have campaigned for various changes to how Missouri judges are selected. Some suggest election of all judges and some suggest going back to the election system Missouri had when it first became a state.

What method do you think works best? What are the advantages and disadvantages of appointing judges? What are the advantages and disadvantages of electing judges? How should a judge handle him/herself during the selection and confirmation process? Should we consider changes to the selection process of our federal judges? In honor of Constitution Day 2010, HEC-TV Live! and the Missouri Bar invite you and your students to explore these questions and more as you join our panel of federal and state judges for a fascinating conversation on the selection process used to fill federal and state judicial vacancies. Panelists for this program will include Judge Michael Wolff of the Missouri Supreme Court, Judge Rodney W. Sipple of the U.S. Federal District Court of Appeals for the Eastern District of Missouri, and Judge Mary Ann Medler, Magistrate Judge for the U.S. District Court Eastern District of Missouri.

HEC-TV

9/17/10 11:00 - Noon
Deadline for registration is 9/10/10

Helen Headrick
utilization@hectv.org
3655 Olive St
St Louis, MO 63108
United States

FREE Grades 7-12: The Science Behind Flight: Soaring the Sky

Since the beginning of his existence man has been fascinated with flight. The desire to take to the sky and soar like an eagle has inspired hundreds of thousands of inventors, aviators, and adventurers. For this program, we invite you and your students to join us to learn what it takes to pilot a motorless flying machine, to glide, to soar. Students will interact with glider pilot Mel Burkhart to ask their questions about the basics of flight; explore the scientific concepts of drag, thrust, gravity and lift; tour his glider; and see how a sailplane operates. The program will include video of the glider in flight from both the pilot’s perspective and the ground.

HEC_TV

9/23/10 11-:00 - noon or 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Registration deadline is 9/17/10

Helen Headrick
utilization@hectv.org
3655 Olive St
St Louis, MO 63108
United States

FREE Grades 9-12: Historically Black Colleges and Universities Distance Recruitment Event

Recruiters from the Historically Black Colleges and Universities are divided into two groups and broadcast from one location. Your site can connect with these two groups of recruiters to learn more about these historic and prestigious institutions. These recruiters offer college-bound students information on individual schools, scholarship opportunities, general college application information, including hints and tips for applicants; and information on college and university life.

Connecting students are encouraged to do basic research on the institutions (an electronic booklet will be provided) and develop and prepare thoughtful questions that can be shared during the round-robin Q and A sessions. This is an excellent time to introduce your students to the world of college recruiters and the educational world beyond high school.

Special guests will include engineers currently working with the Rolls Royce Engineering Department who attended Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

9/30/10 9:00 - 10:30 a.m.

Registration closes 9/16/10

Tonia Carriger
tcarriger@cilc.org
251 East Ohio Street, #960
Indpls, IN  46204
United States
Phone:
Fax: (317) 231-6530

Grades 7-12: Joe DeLamielleure, Pro Football Hall of Fame – Class of 2003

Heart of a Hall of Famer Series featuring



The highly popular Heart of a Hall of Famer series returns by kicking off the school year with Pro Football Hall of Fame guard Joe DeLamielleure. Come learn about what character qualities it took for the Class of 2003 Enshrinee to make it into his sport’s most exclusive club – the Pro Football Hall of Fame. DeLamielleure will be our featured speaker on Wednesday September 22 at 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM ET. Students will have the opportunity to learn first-hand what it took beyond athletics for this gridiron legend to achieve greatness and how his character qualities helped him achieve great success on and off the football field.

The program will last approximately 60-minutes with a majority of that time being driven by questions from the student participants. This program is designed for grades 7th-12th. Each videoconference is limited to five sites and is FREE. Interested schools will be selected on a first come basis. Test connections will take place on Tuesday September 21.

If your school is interested in one of the sessions being offered, please email the Hall of Fame’s Education Department at EducationalPrograms@ProFootballHOF.com