Upcoming Events
Fall Young Voter Workshop:
Empowering young citizens— that's the mission of the Secretary of State's Young Voter Workshop. Hundreds of high school students from all around the state will participate again this year in the day-long programs which will be held on October 16, 17, and 18 this Fall.
As one of our most popular student programs, the Education Team considers educating voters and future voters as one of our most important responsibilities. We invite you and your high school students to join us!
“I want these young people to get involved. Voting is an American cornerstone, and I believe they take away a new appreciation of that process from this program."
-- Secretary of State Mark Martin
The workshop demonstrates the importance of voting to high school students who are nearing or have already reached voting age. From the founding of America, to the civil rights and women’s suffrage movements, students experience the value of their right to vote through discussion, mock election activities and games. Students especially enjoy the chance to speak their minds during a guided current events debate. Teachers may opt to conclude the day with a tour of the Arkansas State Capitol, which gives students a first-hand look at the site where laws that have a daily impact on their lives are made.
Click the image above to watch a video compilation of previous workshops and get an inside look at content covered. Young Voter Workshops are held each Spring and Fall, in March and October respectively.
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For more information on how to be a part of the Young Voter Workshop, click the image to the left or contact Katie Bass, Education and Visitor Services Coordinator. |
Holiday Lighting Ceremony
Following the Big Jingle Jubilee Holiday Parade in downtown Little Rock, which culminates on the Capitol steps, the State Capitol will be illuminated with its annual holiday display at dusk Dec. 1. Santa Claus and an emcee will lead the festivities, which include fireworks, live music and children's activities. Don't forget to take in the magnificent interior decorations and the custom James Hayes tree-topper at the pinnacle of our 25 foot tree in the Capitol Building's rotunda.
Sounds of the Season
 Each year, for two weeks in December, the Secretary of State's Office invites musical performance groups to the Capitol Building to spread Holiday cheer through song and dance in the Rotunda with our Sounds of the Season program. As per tradition, performances will begin the first full week of December and run for two full weeks--this year, December 3-7 and 10-14. By the end of the two weeks of performances, a total of 180 choirs will have spread their cheer throughout the building.
Sign-ups will be open at 12:01 a.m. on October 1. An e-mail reminder with the link will go out at that time. If you have received this newsletter, you are on the reminder e-mail list already. The link will also be posted on our website. Please keep in mind this event grows every year, therefore performance slots are filled rather quickly. We highly recommend you sign up as soon as possible and be patient if you are placed on a wait list. We try our best to ensure as many groups as possible are able to perform. We look forward to seeing--and hearing--you soon!
Free Resources, Materials and Programs
It's the start of another great school year here in the state of Arkansas. Welcome back! We hope that you are off to a wonderful start. Now that you have settled in to your new classroom routine we'd like to remind you about all of the free programs, materials, presentations, and resources that we have to help! Don't wait! Book your presentations and order your materials today! Click each image in this section to learn more about our offerings!
There is never a bad time to throw in a little Arkansas History! Come visit the Capitol Building for a field trip! The Secretary of State's Office provides something for every age--Guided Tours, Self-Guided Tours, Self-Guided Grounds Tours, and even Scavenger Hunts! Click on the labeled images above to learn more. To schedule, contact Aaron McNeil, Education and Visitor Services Specialist.
Can't get to the Capitol Building this year? That's ok!! Take your students on a Virtual Tour of the Capitol Building and Capitol Grounds right from your classroom! Click on the image below to learn more!
The Education section of the Secretary of State's website allows you to watch videos about Arkansas History, listen to podcasts from Arkansas Historians, and have access to many other student and teacher resources such as lesson plans, print-outs, games, and activities! Click the image below to go explore!
 The Education Team will even come to your classroom! We have multiple traveling presentations for students of all ages and grade levels. One of our skilled team members will come right to your classroom and teach your students using hands-on, cross-curricular methods on subjects such as State Symbols, How a Bill Becomes Law, the Arkansas Traveler, and even the difference between an author and an illustrator or how to make predictions in our "Little Golden Books" presentation! To learn more or to schedule a presentation, contact Katie Bass, Education and Visitor Services Coordinator.
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