About the U.S. Election Project
| Site: | Teach About U.S. |
| Course: | Teach About U.S. |
| Book: | About the U.S. Election Project |
| Printed by: | |
| Date: | Monday, 13 January 2025, 5:32 AM |
About
Together with our local partners, the U.S. Embassy, LIFE e.V. and Leuphana University Lüneburg conducted another school election project in the election year 2024. The format was similar to the previous project cycles, adding cutting-edge pedagogical approaches and educational technologies. Based on results from project evaluation surveys and classroom research during the previous cycles, the team at Leuphana University developed new course materials for all 50 states, updated and improved tasks and project activities, and carried out teacher trainings.
Mission Statement
The U.S. Embassy School Election Project is an intercultural blended-learning program promoting democratic engagement and civil discourse in the context of the U.S. presidential campaign. Our goal is to provide participants with information and analytical tools to predict and evaluate the election outcome of an adopted state. Teachers and students research and understand competing viewpoints and political arguments. This project promotes respect, civility and open-mindedness as the basis for intercultural engagement.
Background
In 2012, 2016 and 2020 the U.S. Embassy together with Leuphana University Lüneburg, Life e.V. / eXplorarium and LISUM Berlin-Brandenburg organized a successful blended learning school project on the U.S. Presidential Election. About 2,000 participants in 2012
and more than 3,000 in 2016 adopted a U.S. state and learned about local politics, economics and culture. The number of participants increased even further in 2020. After becoming experts on their new "homes" and the U.S. election system, students made a prediction on the U.S. voters' choice on Election Day.
Would their state turn red or blue?
In preparation for the project, many of their teachers participated in seminars organized by the U.S. Embassy and U.S. Consulates throughout Germany. American experts
briefed the teachers on the mysteries of the U.S. election processes, issues, candidates, campaigns and the role of the media. Further trainings were offered introducing teachers to the effective use of online learning tools in their classrooms.
An interactive mock election took place at the concluding events at Friedrich Ebert Stiftung in Berlin one day before Election Day. Student delegates cast their votes on behalf of their adopted U.S. states. In 2012, their predictions turned out to be more accurate than most professional polls! Four years later, as most pundits and pollsters failed to predict the stunning electoral college win by the Republican candidate, Donald J. Trump, our students didn't have a Crystal ball either. In 2020, the students' were accurate once again as the predicted outcome shows:
The U.S. Embassy School Election Project was awarded the renowned Hans-Eberhard-Piepho Prize for Ideas in Communicative Language Teaching in 2013.
How does it work?
1. EXPLORE Learners will explore the core questions of the 2024 presidential election: How do Americans elect their President? Who are the candidates and where do they stand on the dominant issues of this election campaign? What image do they paint of themselves and what is the role of the media?
2. ANALYZE Each course will be assigned one U.S. state and study its local politics, economy, culture, and demographics as well as past voting behavior. Students will work with authentic text-based and audiovisual materials online, analyze population statistics, and review social media sites of local and state policy makers.
3. PREDICT Will your state turn red or blue? Is it going to be a solid or swing state? Based on their expertise, students will make a prediction about their state’s voting behavior. Student delegates will cast their course’s votes at an interactive mock election just before Election Day on November 5, 2024.
4. IMPRESS The election project includes a competition for well- researched predictions. Participants are encouraged to present their results in a creative and interactive format, reflecting their detailed understanding of their (adopted) state. Past student projects included YouTube videos, blogs and websites, web-presentations, and even songs.
Time frame
-
Teacher training seminars will be offered in summer with expert speakers on the Presidential Election 2024 (see "upcoming events" for dates and venues).
-
Through the U.S. Embassy and U.S. Consulate MeetUS program, Americans are prepared to visit schools and discuss election issues.
-
Participating schools will work on "their state" in August-October 2024 as part of their curriculum.
-
Results of the school projects will be posted on the U.S. Embassy website, Facebook, and Instagram.
Who can participate in Germany?
-
The U.S Election 2024 project is tailored for intermediate to advanced English learners (upper secondary level grades 10 and above). With civil discourse and U.S. political culture being integral to most curricula, this project offers a rich learning experience across the board.
-
Students with sufficient English proficiency (who will be able to express themselves in conversation, writing, and understand main ideas of complex texts)
-
Students who are interested in politics and the U.S. in particular, who are open-minded, creative, self-motivated, and willing to take up challenges
What are the ideal subjects to integrate this project into
-
English as a Foreign Language (in Germany)
-
Politics / Economics / History (CLIL- Content and Language Integrated Learning classes)
-
Integrated Humanities / Social Studies / Life and Society (CLIL)
What does the Moodle Course look like?
Demo Course 2024
Competition winners and outcomes from 2020
Curricular implementation
Our target group
The election project is designed for a target group of intermediate-advanced English learners in grades 10 and above of the German Gymnasium. Yet, our experience shows that younger learners as well as participants at vocational and other secondary schools can work with the curriculum. Our survey of the 16 state curricula for English underlines that social and political studies and the cultural framework of the U.S. are represented in all German EFL curricula. The overview below lists different points of departure for integrating the election project in your classes.
Adapting the curriculum
The suggested curriculum can be easily adapted to different contexts and target groups. Think of it as an invitation to incorporate new teaching and learning resources into your classes as well as a strong connection to learning with digital media and authentic resources. For more tips, read the FAQs on this topic.
Contact the Teach About U.S. team for further suggestions. » Contact us
German EFL curricula for the upper secondary level (Sekundarstufe II)
|
Bundesland |
Curricular content focus |
|
T1: Contemporary public life and political culture of the U.S.; T2: Current political affairs in the U.S. |
|
|
T1: E11/12.3 Main features of the development of democratic systems; T2: Significance and impact of the media |
|
|
Q1: Individual and society (civil society); Q2: National and cultural identity (overcoming prejudice, ethnic and cultural diversity, nations between tradition and change); Q4: Challenges of the present (impact of the media) |
|
|
T1: Current life experiences in the anglophone world; T2: Representations of individual and society in literature, the arts, and the media |
|
|
T1: Current political and societal topics; T2: Target cultures: development and identity; T3: Arts, culture, media |
|
|
Q1: The challenge of individualism (USA); Q3: Dynamics of change (power and politics); Q4: The global challenge (globalization, civil society); T1: Political life and political issues; T2: The U.S. and the world |
|
|
T1: National identity and cultural diversity (USA: politics and government, superpower); T2: Global challenges of our time (political developments and their impacts on society); T3: Current issues in politics and society (media: role of the media; direct democracy: current political issues) |
|
|
T1: The media (the influence of the media on public opinion); T2: Beliefs, values, norms in Western societies: tradition and change (the American experience); T3: Individual and society (outsider and counter cultures); T4: National identity and ethnic/cultural/language diversities (migration) |
|
|
T1: Political, social, and cultural realities; T2: Global challenges |
|
|
T1: Area studies (politics – society – economy; current societal developments); T2: Content topics (current events) |
|
|
Q4: Aspects of political life and institutions; Q1/Q2: Aspects of society |
|
|
T1: Command of fundamental linguistic and content knowledge from a selected topic in the area: The English-speaking world – history, politics, and society (political systems); T2: Mandatory elective 3 – current political topics |
|
|
T: The American way of life, T: Challenges of our time; |
|
|
T3: Individual and society (e.g., focus on democracy); T5: Structural change (e.g., focus on regionalism) |
|
|
T1: Politics and economy; T2: The media (and its impact) |
2024 prediction results
On the 23rd of october, the online event took place at which the students' predictions for the election outcome in their assigned states were presented. Mark Rozell (George Mazon University) introduced the topic by presenting the electoral college election results in 2016 and 2020 and identified important political issues that could influence the election results in specific states this time.
Screenshot ZOOM
Afterwards, Professor Torben Schmidt presented the students' predictions and Sina Werner coloured the online map of 270towin state by state. Mark Rozell commented on the students' results: while he thought most of the predictions were realistic, he was a little more sceptical about the predictions that Harris would clearly win swing states such as Arizona or Pennsylvania. He explained that the results in such swing states are likely to be much closer. Several classes had made their predictions for each state and in the case of Georgia and Michigan there was a stalemate. These two states could not be clearly assigned because an equal number of classes predicted a Republican or Democratic victory. Nevertheless, the result was clear:
Kamala Harris will win the election with 272 electoral votes
map from https://www.270towin.com/
How to participate?
Everyone can participate in the school project and competition. Teachers can register their courses from now and throughout the project period during the fall of 2024.
Registration
The registration is closed.Access to the project curriculum
Our project curriculum for the election project will be finalized during the 2024 summer holidays as we want to guarantee that classroom materials and tasks will be up-to-date. A preview version will be made available before the summer for early participants. You can also use parts of the project curriculum from the 2020 project cycle (e.g., contents on the electoral system and general campaign issues) by using our 2020 demo Moodle course.
Project participants will be provided with their own password-protected e-classroom upon registration (after the summer holidays). It is up to you whether you would like to use the Moodle classroom in class with your students or rather just as a materials depository.
Adopt-a-state
Participants will be assigned their U.S. state after the summer holidays through a state lottery. States may be assigned to more than one course. Let us know in the registration form if your school has an existing partnership with a school in the U.S. - if possible, we will accommodate this and assign you that state for the project.
Competition
Participating courses can submit their prediction of the adopted state's election outcome until approx. one week prior to the project conclusion and Election Day (exact date tbd). Courses can choose to only submit their prediction or also participate in the school competition by submitting a creative outcome related to their prediction.
How does it work?
1. Explore
Learners will explore the core questions of the 2024 presidential election: How do Americans elect their President? Who are the candidates and where do they stand on the dominant issues of this election campaign? What image do they paint of themselves and what is the role of the media?
2. Analyze
Each course will be assigned one U.S. state and study its local politics, economy, culture and demographics as well as past voting behavior. Students will work with authentic text-based and audiovisual materials online, analyze population statistics, and review social media sites of local and state policy makers.
3. Predict
Will your state turn red or blue? Is it going to be a solid or swing state? Based on their expertise, students will make a prediction about their state’s voting behavior. Student delegates will cast their course’s votes at an interactive mock election just before Election Day on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
4. Impress
The election project includes a competition for creative well-researched predictions. Participants are encouraged to present their results in a creative and interactive format, reflecting their detailed understanding of their (adopted) state. Past student projects included YouTube videos, blog and websites, web-presentations, and even songs!
2024 RESULTS
Berlin/Lüneburg.
More than 400 registered classes already know the outcome of the U.S. elections: Donald Trump is going to be the 47th President of the United States of America. As part of the U.S. Embassy School Election Project 2024, students gave their predictions for the election outcome state by state: Kamala Harris will receive 272 electoral votes while Donald Trump is projected to only receive 235 of the electoral votes. Sina Werner and Professor Torben Schmidt of the Institute of English Studies at Leuphana University Lüneburg co-developed the course content and learning design of the project together with Kim Steiner, Melina Friedrich and Sarah Laum. The nationwide school project was initiated by the U.S. Embassy.
Since the school year began, students in participating classrooms have dealt with the election in their English courses. Each participating class was assigned a U.S. state. The task was to determine the outcome of the election for 'their' state by examining the respective social issues and the candidates' statements. Their forecasts have been correct before and in previous years predicted the election outcome more accurately than many political polls in the USA or Germany.
This year, 130 courses submitted a forecast for their state shortly before the election, with each state being covered by multiple classes. The forecasts are not always unanimous, but a majority decision could be determined for each state except for the states of Georgia and Michigan. The students predicted Harris would win several key states, including Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Arizona, and thus the overall election. However, Trump could claim all of the swing states, which means that this year the students did not predict the outcome of the election correctly.
The U.S. Embassy School Election Project 2024 is a continuation of precursors organized by the U.S. Embassy Berlin for the 2012, 2016 and 2020 presidential elections. The innovative project curriculum was developed by a project team from the U.S. Embassy, the Berlin-based educational non-profit LIFE e.V., and the Institute of English Studies at Leuphana University Lüneburg.
This is the project outcome produced by our participants:
map from 270towin.com
Best political cartoonFSAS Berlin – Maryland |
||
 |
LK 2 with teacher
Amy
Schäfer |
This self-drawn political cartoon is a piece that effectively captures what Kamala Harris stands for. With clever imagery and sharp wit, it answers the critical question of why voters should support her candidacy. The cartoon is well arranged, presenting strong, persuasive arguments in a visually engaging manner. Each element contributes to a cohesive narrative that not only highlights Harris's values but also inspires action. This creative work stands out for its ability to convey a powerful message in a simple yet impactful way. |
Best political cartoonAskanisches Gymnasium, Berlin – Michigan |
||
 |
grade 12 LK with teacher Mr. Klaudius |
This creative political cartoon illustrates Michigan's status as a swing state. By depicting two cars racing, it effectively conveys the tight race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. The clever use of imagery highlights the contrasting values of both political parties, showcasing what each candidate stands for. The cartoon not only captures the competitive nature of the election but also provides insightful commentary on the key issues at play. |
Best informational websiteOtto-Nagel-Gymnasium Berlin - Kansas |
||
   |
class 9.1 with teacher Natalie Buckowski |
This internet site is an impressive multimedia project that offers a comprehensive, in-depth look at the election. It combines well-researched information through varied formats, including detailed information texts, and comparative charts of their election programs. The site also offers analysis sections,creatively integrated songs and poems to engage different audiences. With a wealth of information presented in a dynamic and accessible way, this site stands out for its thorough research and engaging multimedia approach, providing a full-spectrum view of the candidates and their platforms. |
Best songOtto-Nagel-Gymnasium Berlin - Arkansas |
||
 |
Saskia, Sydney, Anneliese (students) with teacher Jens Rösener |
This performance is a piece that combines creativity, courage, and well-researched insights. The audio quality is excellent, with clear pronunciation. With the catchy idea of adapting a popular German pop song to feature original, self-written lyrics, the performers take a brave step by singing solo, creating an engaging and memorable experience. The lyrics are not only creative but also incorporate convincing arguments that advocate for specific voting behaviors, skillfully turning research into an artistic and persuasive project. |
Best newspaperJohann-Wolfgang-von-Goethe-Gymnasium Chemnitz - New Hampshire |
||
 |
Emilia Kotesovec, Nazanin Azimi, Aia Absi (students) with teacher Isabell Weimann |
This newspaper article is a piece that combines various perspectives on the election to create a comprehensive picture of the state’s voting behavior. The design is impressively realistic, closely mirroring a professional publication, and the research behind it is thorough and insightful. The language is notably advanced, enhancing the credibility and impact of the information presented. Overall, it’s a well-executed and informative portrayal of the state’s electoral landscape. |
Best filmBerufliche Schule Rottenburg – Arizona |
||
 |
class 12 with teacher Christoph Beller |
This video highlights key issues for Arizona like education, feminism, and violence, and offers insightful background on changing public demands. The language is engaging, and the background song supports the video’s message. With well-placed written elements and a thoughtfully argued abstract, this video stands out as impactful and well-produced. |
Best filmOtto-Schott-Gymnasium Mainz - Utah |
||
 |
class 11 with teacher Ute Ritzenhofen | The sound quality is clear, making every message easy to follow, and the setting feels just right for the topics covered. The language used is spot-on, accessible, and professional. The video doesn’t just inform us about different topics but also highlights the candidates' opinions in a creative way, using images and icons to keep it visually engaging. By capturing the voices and perspectives of Utah's people, the team adds an authentic touch that brings the video to life. |
2020 RESULTS
Berlin/Lüneburg. More than
5,000 German and American students already know the outcome of the U.S.
elections: Joe Biden is going to be the 46th President of the United States of
America. At today's online closing event for the U.S. Embassy School Election
Project 2020, students will give their predictions for the election outcome
state by state. Biden will receive 334 electoral votes while Donald Trump is
projected to only receive 204 of the 538 electoral votes. Joannis Kaliampos and
Professor Torben Schmidt of the Institute of English Studies at Leuphana
University Lüneburg co-developed the course content and learning design of the
project. The nationwide school project was initiated by the U.S. Embassy.
Since the school year began,
students in participating classrooms have dealt with the election in their
English courses. Each participating class was assigned a U.S. state. The task
was to determine the outcome of the election for 'their' state by examining the
respective social issues and the candidates' statements. Their forecasts have
been correct before and in previous years predicted the election outcome more
accurately than many political polls in the USA or Germany.
This year, 195 courses submitted
a forecast for their state shortly before the election, with each state being covered
by multiple classes. The forecasts are not always unanimous, but a majority
decision could be determined for each state. The students predicted Biden would
win several key states, including Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Florida, all of
which Trump carried in 2016.
The U.S. Embassy School
Election Project 2020 is a continuation of precursors organized by the U.S.
Embassy Berlin for the 2008, 2012, and 2016 presidential elections. The
innovative project curriculum was developed by a project team from the U.S.
Embassy, the Berlin-based educational non-profit LIFE e.V., and the Institute
of English Studies at Leuphana University Lüneburg. With the support of the
Transatlantic Outreach Program at the Goethe-Institut in Washington D.C., it
was possible to network school classes with American partner schools and thus
enable a direct transatlantic exchange of information in the election project.
This is the project outcome produced by our participants:
Click the map to create your own at As part of the U.S. Election Project, participants submitted learner products in a competition for creative project outcomes. Below are the winning student contributions. Awards were given in sixteen categories plus seven transatlantic cooperation awards for outstanding efforts to facilitate transatlantic cooperation within the project.
Best Campaign Website
ARKANSAS FOR TRUMP!
Integrierte Gesamtschule (Mutterstadt)
Best News Report
WHO HAWAII WILL VOTE FOR AND HaWHY!
Gymnasium Blankenese (Hamburg)
Best Breaking News
IDAHO WILL VOTE FOR TRUMP - BREAKING NEWS
Gymnasium Herderschule (Lüneburg)
Best Cartoon
4 MORE YEARS - KANSAS WILL VOTE FOR TRUMP
Landschulheim Schloss (Ising am Chiemsee)
Best Graphic Story
TONIGHT EVEN SHOW: PREDICTION MASSACHUSETTS
Elisabeth Gymnasium (Halle/Saale)
Best Research Presentation
MINNESOTA PROGNOSIS
Gymnasium Herderschule (Lüneburg)
Best Website
MINNESOTA STAYS BLUE
Friedrich - Ebert - Gymnasium (Hamburg)
Best Campaign Video
BIDEN - A THREAT TO NORTH DAKOTA
Johann-Wolfgang-von-Goethe-Gymnasium (Chemnitz)
Best Campaign Flyer
OHIO DEMOCRATS - GENERAL ELECTION 2020
Paul-Gerhardt-Gymnasium (Graefenhainichen)
Best Election Magazine
ELECTIONS 2020: THE BATTLE
Askanisches Gymnasium (Berlin)
Best Multimedia Newspaper
THE SALT LAKE HERALD
Berlin-Kolleg, Berlin
Best Explained Prediction
WILL VIRGINIA GO RED OR BLUE?
Berufsbildungszentrum Schleswig (Schleswig)
Best Junior Pollsters
WASHINGTON STATE - JOINT PRESENTATION OAK HARBOR / BÖNEN
North Whidbey Middle School (Oak Harbor, WA) and Marie-Curie Gymnasium (Bönen)
Best Transatlantic Joint Presentation
ELECTION 2020
Downingtown High School East Campus (Exton, PA) and Markgräfler Gymnasium (Müllheim)
Best Social Media Presentation
PREDICTING THE VOTE IN MAINE
Gustav-Heinemann-Oberschule (Berlin)
Best Talk Show
OTTO- SCHOTT TALK SHOW WITH OLIVIA SMITH
Otto-Schott-Gymnasium (Mainz)
Transatlantic Cooperation Awards
It is with great pride and pleasure that the Teach About US team, together with our friends at the Transatlantic Outreach Program / Goethe Institut Washington, D.C., awards a transatlantic cooperation prize to seven of our German-American tandems, who share the fact that students and teachers alike have done a tremendous job making the election project
a truly binational encounter.
Marie-Curie-Gymnasium Bönen and North Whidbey Middle School, Oak Harbor, WA, with teachers Karsten Brill and Donald Jenkins
Gymnasium Herderschule, Lüneburg and Albert Lea High School, Albert Lea, MN, with teachers Christian Knappe and Jim Haney
Pestalozzi-Oberschule, Limbach-Oberfrohna and Stonington Middle School, Mystic, CT, with teachers Heike Bachmann and Tim Flanagan
Otto-Schott-Gymnasium, Mainz and Belleville East High School, Belleville, IL, with teachers Dr. Ute Ritzenhofen and Andy Gaa
Louise-Henriette-Gymnasium, Oranienburg and Ozark High School, Ozark, AR, with teachers Jessica Culver, Gritt Gebauer, Thorsten Dietze, Jens Rösener, and Steffen Tilgner
Markgräfler Gymnasium, Müllheim and Downingtown High School East Campus, Exton, PA, with teachers Nadine Gebhard, Verena Gloeser, and Ellen Resnek
Philipp Melanchthon Gymnasium, Meine, and Monacan High School, North Chesterfield, VA, with teachers Nina Christmann and Valerie Sweet
Summary of press and media coverage
The project was also featured in a number of regional and national media reports.
Freie Presse Chemnitz 12.11.2020
Was Schüler an der US-Wahl interessiert
SWR >>Aktuell 03.11.2020
Müllheimer Schüler analysieren US-Wahlkampf
Tagesspiegel 03.11.2020
Zwei Sieger: Joe Biden und das Berlin-Kolleg
Antenne Unna (Radio) 03.11.2020
Not online
ZDF heute - in Deutschland and in the Sondersendung 03.11.2020
ZDF Team im Leistungskurs English
Landeszeitung 03.11.2020
Minnesota wählt Biden
Stadt Spiegel 02.11.2020
Marie-Curie-Gymnasium Bönen ausgezeichnet
Westfällischen AnzeigerUS-Wahl ist Thema im Unterricht: Wer wird der nächste Präsident der Vereinigten Staaten? MCG-Schüler erstelle Prognosen (Not online)
American Studies Blog: Leuphana Universität 02.11.2020
The Ultimate Election Forecast: More than 5,000 Pollsters Agree- The Next President of the U.S. is….
Stadt Spiegel 25.09.2020
Diskutieren mit einer Diplomatin
Stadt Spiegel 19.08.2020
Hausaufgaben-Chat mit Schülern aus den USA
Press information 2024
allgemeine InformationenInformationsblatt (deutsch) (15.10.2024)
Interviews mit Lehrkräften
| Gritt Gebauer / Oranienburg Am Louise-Henriette Gymnasium nahmen sieben Klassen der 11. Jahrgangsstufe und vier Klassen der 10. Jahrgangsstufe am U.S. Election Projekt statt. Interview von Rita Mersmann LIFE e.V. mit Gritt Gebauer, einer Lehrerin die schon seit vielen Jahren mit ihren Klassen an Online Projekten von Teach about U.S. teilnimmt. |
Jens Rösener / Berlin Am Otto Nagel Gymnasium in Berlin haben 9 Klassen am U.S. Election Projekt teilgenommen, von einer achten bis zu elften Klassen. Jens Rösener ist von Anfang an bei Teach about U.S. dabei und hat schon am U.S Election Project 2016 teilgenommen, er arbeitet mit modernem e-learning. |
|---|---|