The Denver-based Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals will roll out OPERATION: EDUCATION beginning in January 2003. The goal of the program is to heighten public understanding and to provide meaningful and realistic experiences to educate students about the federal judiciary.

Students of all ages will have the opportunity to enjoy field trips to the historic Byron White U.S. Courthouse and learn about the third branch of government, the Tenth Circuit’s relationship to the U.S. Supreme Court, how the appellate process works, the structure of the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, mediation, court operations, high profile cases and the impact of court decisions, history of the gavel and the significance of the court seal.

Other age-appropriate lesson plans may involve classroom speakers, question-and-answer sessions with judges and other court staff, and poster and essay contests.

Interactive lessons, such as mini mock trials and encore oral arguments, may also be planned where students can play the roles of judges, lawyers, jurors, courtroom deputies and others involved with the judicial process. Customized programs are another option for educators.

“The Three Bears v. Goldilocks” is a best seller mock trial for elementary school children. Here, the Bears have sued Goldilocks for bad manners! More challenging mock trials, such as “Titanic,” may be arranged for older students.

Additionally, in November of each year, high school seniors may participate in a shared experience with other students nationwide. The annual event is called Open Doors to Federal Courts and is sponsored by the Administrative Office (AO) of the U.S. Courts in Washington, D.C. Rebecca Fanning, National Outreach Manager states, “We at the AO’s Office of Public Affairs provide the program theme, the framework, and the materials needed.”

Using the lessons provided by the AO, students will go through a judicial process in the classroom and then have an interactive mock trial in a courtroom setting. The 2002 national Open Doors program involved participation from 75 federal courts, 235 judges and 8,700 high school students.

Schools interested in being a part of OPERATION: EDUCATION and/or the national Open Doors to Federal Courts program are encouraged to contact Linda Rivas, the local program director, at 303.335.2830 or e-mail education@ca10.uscourts.gov