About Problem Solvers
This is a school-based pilot project
geared towards college and high school campuses. Students would use local media
(radio, TV, newspapers) to air their debates on local and national issues. They
might alternately discuss and come up with various solutions to community
problems.
Reporting on proposed legislation, such as immigration and tax reform, is at the heart of the community-based project, Problem Solvers. Incorporating this service into their study makes sense because students have time to research more thoroughly than most adults, including the media with its emphasis on speed. Students can report on aspects of pending legislation that the majority of voters would fail to uncover. The nation would, and should be in these young scholars' debt for doing the homework expected of informed citizens and that many adults have no time to do before casting their votes.
Ideally the Problem Solvers are mentored by a teacher or adult coach who believes in what is known as experiential or community-based learning. The debates would then be incorporated into the curriculum of an existing class offered most likely by English, Government, Political Science, Social Studies and Sociology Departments on high school and college campuses. It might also interest Speech, Journalism, and Communication Departments. Because of the hard work and thorough research required, it is unlikely Problem Solvers would be adopted as an after school club unless by a debate coach.