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Prepare and argue a case from both sides in this 3-week mock trial course for middle school students on UCLA’s campus.
Course Description
An argument can sound convincing until a witness gives an unexpected answer. Build a case from evidence, then try the courtroom roles that put it to the test.
In this course your student will explore how attorneys, witnesses, defendants, judges, and jurors contribute to a trial. Historical case studies introduce ethical questions and legal research. Opening statements, direct and cross-examination, objections, and closing arguments give students different ways to explain and challenge a case.
Taking roles on both the prosecution and defense shows how the same evidence can support competing interpretations. For the final mock trial, teams investigate the fictional events in the novel Holes and whether the adults violated child labor protections. They’ll prepare witnesses and arguments and present both sides before a judge and jury weigh the evidence. A clear theory of the case matters, but so does listening closely enough to respond when testimony changes its direction.
This three-week course for middle school students is part of Summer Discovery’s Institute for the Gifted program on UCLA’s campus in Los Angeles, California.
What You Will Do
• Explore the roles that make a courtroom work
• Investigate evidence and ethics in fictional and historical cases
• Develop opening statements and closing arguments
• Practice direct examination, cross-examination, and objections
• Take on roles for both the prosecution and defense
• Prepare and present a complete mock trial
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
• Build a legal argument from facts, research, and clear reasoning
• Compare how opposing sides interpret the same evidence
• Adapt an argument in response to testimony and competing views
You’ll leave with experience preparing and presenting a complete mock trial and a certificate of completion.
Why Mock Trial Skills Matter
Mock trial makes communication and critical thinking visible. Students cannot rely on a strong opinion alone; they must connect each claim to evidence, anticipate questions, and explain why one interpretation is more convincing than another.
Courtroom roles also build careful listening and teamwork. Attorneys adjust to testimony, witnesses communicate accurately, and judges and jurors weigh competing arguments. These habits support class discussions, presentations, leadership, and any situation that requires a clear, evidence-based response.
Who Should Attend?
For students who have completed 6th, 7th, or 8th grade.
If your student enjoys courtroom stories, debate, or questions of fairness, this course gives those interests a case to work on. Reading case materials, preparing with a team, and trying different courtroom roles make room for both research and speaking. They’ll question witnesses and change an argument when the evidence calls for it.
Bring a laptop or compatible tablet, charger, and compatible headphones. Institute for the Gifted eligibility requirements apply; see the program FAQ.
Your Summer at UCLA
UCLA gives middle-school students an energetic place to learn, have fun, and experience campus life in Los Angeles. The setting brings together science, technology, creativity, entertainment, and culture, helping new subjects feel connected to a wider world of ideas.
The program combines hands-on academics with friendships, campus activities, clear routines, and support as students become comfortable in a large university environment. Students can try new challenges, share interests with peers, and build confidence through participation without needing to decide where those interests will lead. For families, UCLA offers a structured middle-school experience that balances substantive learning with fun, community, and age-appropriate independence. Students leave with new memories and a clearer sense of what they may want to explore next.
After successfully finishing this course, you will be awarded a certification completion for your accomplishment.
*This is a preview, not what you will receive