Great Summer Political Science Programs for High School Students

The National Student Leadership Conference offers this summer session on U.S. politics for high school students to explore the inner workings of the U.S. Congress and American politics. The program is hosted at American University in Washington, D.C. Participants have the opportunity to experience interactive simulations of a U.S. Senator's job, meet important political figures, attend leadership workshops and college-level lectures on various aspects of the American political system, and tour political sites around the city including Capitol Hill, the U.S. Supreme Court and the Smithsonian Institution. The program is residential and runs for six days. 

This non-residential summer session for high school students offered by the Women & Politics Institute at American University is centered around the role of women in politics and their representation in American government. The ten-day course combines traditional classroom lectures on women and politics, public policy, campaigning and elections, and political leadership with field trips around the city of Washington, D.C. The course also has several guest speakers. This program carries three college credits upon completion. 

These political institute programs sponsored by the Junior Statesmen of America allow politically aware high school students the opportunity to explore today’s governmental challenges and significant political issues. There are five institutes offered at Arizona State University, the University of Texas, the University of California Los Angeles, UC Davis and Princeton University, all of which focus on a specific aspect of modern politics and leadership. Institute attendees learn about the inner workings of government, participate in interactive activities and debates on current issues, and meet with government officials and other significant political figures. The Institutes are residential programs, and each runs for three to four days.