More reasons to enroll early: Save $250 on tuition + 50% off your deposit. Enroll by Oct 31.
Practice courtroom roles in a mock trial in this 2-week program for middle school students on Georgetown University’s campus.
Course Description
An opening statement sets out a case. The questions that follow can strengthen it or reveal a gap. Try the courtroom roles that help a jury reach its decision.
In this course your student will explore the roles of attorneys, defendants, witnesses, judges, and jurors. They’ll review a mock-trial packet and learn how jury selection, evidence, testimony, and argument fit together.
Teams begin by writing opening and closing statements. They then prepare direct questions that help a witness tell a clear story and cross-examination questions that test another account. Short lessons and small-group practice introduce common objections and the steps for presenting evidence properly.
In the final mock trial, your student will take an assigned role and put that preparation to use. What happens in the moment can call for a different response, so listening matters as much as speaking. Seeing how the case unfolds helps students understand why courtroom rules matter to a fair process. Feedback gives them a chance to sharpen a question or explain a point more clearly.
This two-week course for middle school students takes place at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. The course is available to residential and commuter students. The program is developed by Georgetown University and offered in partnership with Summer Discovery.
What You Will Do
• Identify the responsibilities of courtroom participants
• Review a case packet and organize relevant facts
• Write and present opening and closing statements
• Prepare direct and cross-examination questions
• Practice introducing evidence and making objections
• Take an assigned role in a final mock trial
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
• Explain the major roles and stages in a trial
• Use facts to prepare questions and support a case position
• Explain how evidence and courtroom rules help make a fair process
You’ll leave with your courtroom materials and a certificate of completion.
Why Mock Trial Skills Matter
Legal argument asks students to explain a position with facts, not simply state an opinion. Building an opening, questioning a witness, and preparing a closing show how each part of a case must support a coherent theory.
Mock trial also makes listening essential. Students must follow testimony, recognize when a question or piece of evidence raises a problem, and adjust their next move. These habits strengthen middle school writing, speaking, collaboration, and critical thinking.
Who Should Attend?
For students who have completed 6th, 7th, or 8th grade.
Courtroom stories bring together facts, competing viewpoints, and people trying to make a convincing case. If your student enjoys debate, acting, or explaining why they think something is true, this course gives them a role to try. They’ll read a case packet, prepare with a team, and speak before classmates in the final mock trial.
Your Summer at Georgetown University
Studying on Georgetown University’s campus gives middle-school students a memorable place to learn, have fun, and experience campus life in Washington, D.C. The historic campus sits near embassies, institutions, and public conversations that make the wider world feel close, even when the course itself is not connected to government or policy.
The program combines active academics with friendships, campus activities, clear routines, and support as students navigate a new environment. Students can try unfamiliar subjects, share ideas with peers, and build confidence through a structured summer experience. For families, the program offers an engaging balance of learning and fun, with the community and guidance younger students need as they develop independence and discover what they may want to explore next.
Summer Discovery Certificate of Completion
After successfully finishing this course, you will be awarded a certification completion for your accomplishment.
*This is a preview, not what you will receive