The Michigan State University Museum is set to participate in the 11th annual Smithsonian National Youth Summit, to be held on Sept. 20, for high school students and MSU undergraduates. This year’s theme is “Elections & Politics.” Organized by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in collaboration with Smithsonian Affiliations, the summit brings together scholars, historians, and youth activists to explore civic engagement and political participation.

As the first Smithsonian Affiliate in Michigan, the MSU Museum joins several other Affiliate organizations hosting regional summits. The program aims to empower youth by examining how young people, both with and without the right to vote, influence elections and engage in political action. A primary focus of the summit is the enduring question: "How can younger generations engage in political action and influence elections?"

“We are eager to be part of this important conversation,” said Denice Blair, director of education at the MSU Museum. “As a Smithsonian Affiliate, we have a unique opportunity to connect our community, especially our MSU students, with experts and resources to help shape their understanding of democracy and their role in it.”

The MSU Museum’s summit, presented in partnership with WKAR Public Media, will feature a dynamic panel discussion. Key speakers will include representatives from ASMSU, the East Lansing City Clerk’s Office, and the University and Youth Commission. The event will offer insights into how young people can get involved in both national and local elections. The summit will be livestreamed and recorded for educators to use as a learning resource.

The event takes place in WKAR Television Studio A as part of the public media station’s commitment to providing 2024 Election information and resources for the mid-Michigan community.

To attend the event in-person, register here. High school teachers can contact the MSU Museum Education Team to register (museumed@msu.edu).

The National Youth Summit series was designed by the National Museum of American History to provide students with an opportunity to share their views and debate issues as part of a program that aligns with the National History Standards and Common Core Standards for Speaking and Listening. Since the program was launched in 2011, the museum has created vigorous programming with detailed curricula, websites and outreach opportunities for students and teachers across the nation through which the National Youth Summit has engaged more than 70,000 live viewers and many more through the archived programs.

The National Youth Summit is made possible by the A. James and Alice B. Clark Foundation and the Patrick F. Taylor Foundation K–12 Learning Endowment. The summit’s Youth Leadership Team is supported by Youth Access Grant funds from the Smithsonian’s Together We Thrive initiative and is part of a larger Smithsonian initiative focused on civic engagement intended to help Americans understand the past in order to make sense of the present and to shape a more informed future.

This story originally appeared on the MSU Museum website.