Twelfth graders who take government at the Central campus re-enacted the landmark Supreme Court case, Marbury v. Madison, which was decided in 1803.
Although they had read about the case in their textbook, it is a somewhat complicated case, and the re-enactment helps the students understand how it unfolded and the implications of the court’s decision. In deciding Marbury v. Madison, the Supreme Court gave themselves the power to declare a law written by Congress unconstitutional, making the judicial branch a co-equal branch and further cementing the system of checks and balances embedded in our constitution.
Through the re-enactment students also recognized that presidents will appoint justices who share similar political ideologies, how the number of justices who serve on the court can be changed by Congress and how the Supreme Court is charged with interpreting the Constitution. It is a joy to see our students have so much fun learning.
