We the People: Purdue event to celebrate Constitution Day in the U.S

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University’s College of Education hopes to educate students and community members about the U.S. Constitution through its annual learning event.

Constitution Day, coordinated by the James F. Ackerman Center for Democratic Citizenship, runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday (Sept. 17) in Room 118 and the Great Hall of the Purdue Memorial Union.

Participants will get the chance to learn about the Constitution through “Jeopardy!"-style quiz competitions and interactive booths and exhibits. Cookies and coffee will be provided.

Activities will begin at 11:30 a.m. with a Student QuizOff. A local celebrity QuizOff, featuring West Lafayette and Purdue community leaders, including Purdue quarterback David Blough, will take place at 12:30 p.m. The celebrity QuizOff will be streamed live on the James. F. Ackerman Center for Democratic Citizenship Facebook page.

High school teachers are encouraged to have their students test their knowledge of the Constitution using quizzes developed with the tool Kahoot. The online testing tool is open to all others as well.

Also at Constitution Day:

* Online iCivics interactive games will give participants the chance to partake in a simulated Supreme Court hearing and run their own Constitutional Law Firm.

* Purdue University Libraries will have an exhibit on banned books.

* The Ackerman Center will feature giveaways of Constitution Day T-shirts, signed basketballs and footballs and other Purdue merchandise.

* America Rock “The Preamble,” the classic cartoon treatment of the events leading up to the signing of the Constitution, will be available for participants to sing along to the familiar lyrics.

Constitution Day is sponsored by the James F. Ackerman Center for Democratic Citizenship, the Office of the President, Purdue Student Government and the Purdue Student Union Board.

Congress passed a provision in 2004 declaring Constitution Day. All federally funded schools are asked to develop educational programs to celebrate the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787. 

Writer: Jaclyn Lawmaster, 574-301-9049, jlawmast@purdue.edu

Media Contact: Brian Huchel, writer and communication specialist for the Office of Marketing and Media, 765-494-2084, bhuchel@purdue.edu

Source: Phillip VanFossen, director of the James F. Ackerman Center for Democratic Citizenship, 765-494-2367, vanfoss@purdue.edu