SRU observes Constitution Day with Sept. 17 scavenger hunt

Slippery Rock University is hosting a “We the People” Scavenger Hunt to observe Constitution Day, Sept. 17.

Sept. 16, 2019

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. — In observance of Constitution Day, Sept. 17, Slippery Rock University's Political Science Department and the College of Liberal Arts is hosting a "We the People" Scavenger Hunt, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will include free pizza for all participants and gift cards for winners.

"The Constitution outlines and provides a safeguard as to our rights, liberties and equalities, yet most people haven't read it," said David Kershaw, associate professor of political science, who teaches American National Government at SRU each year. "I'm lucky if I have one student who has read the U.S. Constitution. (If no one knows the Constitution) then our republic is failing and our democracy is not guaranteed. This is why Constitution Day is so important."

Students, staff and faculty interested in participating in the "We the People" Scavenger Hunt, either as individuals or part of a team, will be able to pick up contest materials beginning at 9 a.m., Sept. 17 in the Smith Student Center lobby at a table near Starbucks. They will then have until 4 p.m. to perform "active and unusual" scavenger hunt tasks related to the U.S. Constitution and democratic citizenship. Many tasks will require photo or video proof posted to social media. Non-photo/video evidence must be returned to the Student Government Pavilion between 3-5 p.m. Each task has a point value and the individuals and teams with the highest totals will earn prizes.

An example of a task would be to take a selfie with someone who is eligible to run for the U.S. House of Representatives and post it to social media with a designated hashtag, per the provided instructions.

"People need to step up for democracy, and they can start with the scavenger hunt," Kershaw said. "This event will engage people with a fun activity that will teach or remind them about our principles, liberties and government's structure."

The U.S. Congress created Constitution Day in 2004 to encourage more people to recognize the Constitution. Constitution Day is observed annually to commemorate the signing of the final version of the Constitution, which occurred Sept. 17, 1787. All institutions that receive federal funds are required to offer Constitution Day educational programming.

MEDIA CONTACT: Justin Zackal | 724.738.4854 | justin.zackal@sru.edu