Named for a state educator who was mentored by John Dewey, the Edith Bowen Laboratory School, located on the campus of Utah State University, has always worked to expose its students to world and national issues. Taking advantage of Utah State's many departments to enhance its own course offerings, Edith Bowen has also benefited culturally from the University's partnerships with schools in Africa, China and South America. The students even have their own weekly-run TV show, and the school's curriculum has been designed to teach students about other cultures, values and belief systems.

As a First Amendment project school, however, the school community looks forward to, in the words of school principal Kaye Rhees, “addressing areas of the curriculum which we have long felt were very important but sadly neglected.”

More specifically, the school plans to develop, in conjunction with Utah State's Elementary Education department, a First Amendment Curriculum Resource Guide of replicable activities and lessons “in order to enhance our ability to disseminate to other elementary schools in the state.”

As a lab school, Edith Bowen is in a unique position to do just that. In fact, Rhees is most excited about “tapping into the energy, creativity and enthusiasm of the approximately 600 pre-service teachers training and teaching at our school each year. During their time with us, these teachers will have many opportunities to learn about what it means to model and apply First Amendment principles in classrooms. They would then be able to use this material as they begin their careers throughout the state and the nation.”

“Not only will this project provide essential resources to make this vision a reality,” said fifth grade teacher Dorothy Dobson, “but it will also provide the framework and the structures -- planning, development, implementation and evaluation -- to insure that it is done right.”

To learn more about Edith Bowen Laboratory School, visit their website: