Ms. JD’s Determined to Rise Patch Program is our exciting new hands-on, in-home curriculum that introduces middle school students to law, leadership, and civic engagement.
Designed for grades 6-8, but adaptable for other age groups, it brings law and justice to life through mock trials, civic challenges, and public speaking. Students who participate in it can earn 7 collectible embroidered patches. Each one marks the mastery of a different skill set, from thinking like a lawyer to understanding rights in a digital world.
The program reflects a central Ms. JD belief: The path to a legal career begins long before law school. With that in mind, each activity (there are a total of twenty-one!) plants a seed that could grow into a passion for law. And each patch awarded represents a student who has had an experience that may very well mark the beginning of their journey to become a leader in our profession.
The program was thoughtfully designed to offer several important benefits.
It harnesses the power of project-based learning:
The program gives students opportunities to learn by doing. A 2023 meta-analysis published in Frontiers in Psychology found that project-based learning can significantly improve student learning outcomes compared with traditional teaching models.
That’s why our Patch Program activities encourage students to get out from behind their desks and laptops. For example, one activity invites them to participate in a mock trial. Participants take on roles such as judge, attorney, juror, witness, or bailiff. They review a case, rehearse their roles, and perform the trial. Afterward, they reflect on questions such as: What was challenging about your role? Did the jury make the right decision? This activity introduces students to the legal process while encouraging critical thinking, collaboration, and reflection.
It encourages students to understand their communities and how to shape them
Michael Carney, president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, argued in a 2023 essay, “Civics is not just a school subject. It's how we understand our society and our roles in it. It's about respecting one another, keeping an open mind, and working for the common good. And it's something we need now more than ever.”
That explains why this curriculum is so valuable, even for students whose interests lie in subjects unrelated to the law. The activities help participants understand how government and civic institutions affect their daily lives and open their eyes to the way they can impact society.
For example, students may attend or watch a city council meeting. Before the meeting, they learn who serves on the council and what council members do. Each student follows a particular speaker or issue and then writes a reaction or presents a summary.
The activity asks students to consider what they agreed or disagreed with and why. It gives them a direct view of local government in action, which contributes to the kind of understanding that is important for every member of our society.
It incentivizes students to make real-world connections with attorneys who can become mentors and role models
As the Congressional Medal of Honor Society explained it in a recent blog post, “Teenagers and children today are navigating more complexity than ever, so it is impossible to overstate the value of positive role models for students.”
That’s why the Patch Program provides opportunities for students to connect with women working in the roles they might someday want to work in. During an interview activity, students are asked to speak with a local woman attorney or judge, either in person or through Zoom. They ask questions, summarize what they learned, and reflect on the advice that stood out to them.
These conversations introduce students to living role models who can help envision a path to the legal profession, and will ideally lead to lasting relationships.
It guides students to turn dreams into plans
“Engaging middle schoolers in exploring their values through guided discussions or writing activities can help them learn about themselves and connect their goals to what truly matters,” explains an article on teaching goal setting to middle school students, published by the University of Virginia. “If goals align with personal values, motivation shifts from a struggle to a natural drive. Teaching these skills is essential.”
That explains why this program encourages students to turn their interests into practical goals. For example, through the “My Path to Law” worksheet, participants identify their interests and skills and develop short- and long-term academic goals. They are also invited to share one goal with a peer or group.
The activity ends with a practical question: What steps will you take this year toward your dream? Whether the answer involves selecting high school electives, participating in mock trials, or making connections with mentors, whatever students choose will provide some of the foundation they will need if they choose to pursue legal careers years down the road.
It’s an investment in the pipeline and in enriching the legal profession
The National Career Development Association has identified four ways in which career exploration matters for middle school students:
“It will improve their attitudes about career possibilities and will motivate them to persevere to achieve their career goals.
They will have a better vision of how they fit into the world of work.
They will be more likely to plan their high school courses of study and gain the skills needed to be successful in their career choice.
It will increase the likelihood that they complete high school and pursue college”
That’s why it’s so important that the Determined to Rise Patch Program offers young people meaningful opportunities to experience the possibilities of legal careers and begin imagining their futures.
The benefits extend to the legal community. By capturing the interest of young people early, the program helps encourage a new generation of potential legal professionals, civic participants, and future leaders.
