On Saturday, September 29, the participants in the coming year’s Camden Conference in the Classroom program (CCC) gathered at Rockland Public Library to discuss their respective plans for classes based on the theme of the upcoming 2019 Conference, “Is This China’s Century?”  Teachers representing fourteen high schools from across Maine met with Education Committee Chair, Elaine Keyes, and members of her committee for a full day to confer on ways to present the China material. The teachers appreciate the opportunity to network with each other and share their ideas with colleagues they might not meet otherwise. 

The pilot program for the CCC originated in 2015 with 56 students from 7 schools. In 2018, the program had expanded to include 11 schools from 10 of 16 Maine counties.  In each participating school, a course curriculum is designed by that school’s CCC teacher within the school’s guidelines.  These for-credit courses range from a full year’s course, to a theme or topic within a regular course, or to a mentored independent study.  Among the successes of the CCC has been the number of participating students who have been inspired to go on to major or seek post-graduate degrees in international affairs.

Student attendees benefit from hearing world-renowned speakers sharing their expertise on current global topics. Camden Conference in the Classroom prepares the students for the February conference and their attendance and engagement enhances the experience for the whole audience. 

Photo courtesy of Erin Towns