The 30-Second Candidate The Public Broadcasting System offers this site where students go behind the scenes to see how presidential candidates television advertisements are produced. Historical footage is included, along with information on how television spots are researched, scripted, financed, and shot. Finally, students are given an opportunity to create a TV ad for or against a candidate. Staging a Virtual Election Recognizing the power of actual experience, several groups are providing opportunities for student participation in online mock elections. This collaborative teleproject is open to students ages 9 to 16.
Students create and nominate an ideal candidate, and then run as that person in a virtual election.
Along the way, students conduct an election poll and submit their poll results online. The winner of the virtual election receives a prize. Registration is open at the Web site until November 7. Students will participate in online and offline election activities culminating in a mock election. Lesson plans, curriculum materials, and election results and analysis will be available on the Web for general access.