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This week, 37 high school students from around the state are in Springfield for the annual Public Affairs Academy. KSMU's Missy Shelton reports.
This week, 37 high school students from around the state are in Springfield for the annual Public Affairs Academy.
The group of students is examining a wide range of issues related to government and citizenship.
Molly James is a member of the academy...She'll be a senior this fall at her high school in suburban St Louis.
The academy is held each year on the campus of Missouri State University. Organizers say the academy is an outgrowth of the university's public affairs mission.
The academy has evolved since it began seven years ago.
Candace Fisk has been the academy director for the last two years.
She says the curriculum of the academy has changed and now places a greater emphasis on community service.
Fisk says she hopes students leave the academy with a better understanding of civic engagement.
To help foster that understanding, academy participants learned about the issue of poverty and then participated in a fundraiser.
The hands-on aspects of the academy appeal to academy participants like Molly James.
Academy participants say they also like being able to discuss citizenship and civic engagement with their peers.
Rui Bao will be a senior at a St Louis high school this fall.
For some academy participants, this is the first time they've met people their own age who are interested in politics and public affairs.
Jessica Catron will be a senior at Warrenton High School, located between Columbia and St Louis.
She says she's enjoyed being around other teens who share her interests.
The academy wraps up Saturday when students are asked to make a personal commitment to public affairs.
Academy director Candace Fisk says many past academy participants have gone on to initiate community service projects in their own communities.
