Social Studies teacher, Mr. Ky Dietz, gave his AP Government classes the opportunity to talk to a lawyer whose case is going to the Supreme Court of the United States.

Over a Zoom call, director of Nebraska Appleseed’s legal team, Robert McEwen explained to students the court case that he is a part of. He explained that a minimum security prison, whose aim was to rehabilitate inmates was turned into an ICE detention center.  

Students have just finished Unit 2 of their AP Government course that covered the branches of government, specifically the Judiciary branch. Dietz felt that it would be a good opportunity for his class to talk to someone that has gone through the judicial system, federally and statewide. This helped students better understand the different processes with real life examples of what is going on in the country. 

Students prepped beforehand by reading an article to get the initial overview. They then came up with any questions that they wanted, within an academic boundary. 

Junior Sophie Herold asked, “Why out of all places in the country was a small town in Nebraska chosen for this?” 

McEwen had previously touched on this but still ended up explaining it more in depth. Throughout the whole video call, he explained all his answers fully, and thoroughly to help students understand as much as possible. 

Junior Hanifa Adam stated, “I think that the Zoom call helped apply what we are learning in class to the stuff that is happening in the world right now.”

Students were on this call for almost the whole class period, expanding their thinking, and better understanding the case, and what is expected in the future. Seeing the legal processes of the Judiciary branch happen in real time was eye opening for them 

Herold stated, “I realized how much more of an impact these cases have, and Mr.McEwen was the one to do that.”