MacArthur Students Discuss Politics Via Streaming

By Elizabeth Sobel

Advanced Placement Government and Politics students at MacArthur High School were given an exciting opportunity to discuss American politics and governmental issues with students attending high school and studying American culture and politics in Glasgow, Scotland. 

The 90-minute streaming session on a whiteboard allowed the students to speak face-to-face with one another and revealed some interesting questions and ideas.

The students at St. Andrew’s Secondary School in Glasgow asked MacArthur students questions about how the United States is handling terrorism and whether they were concerned about local crime. They also asked whether MacArthur students approve of the death penalty and whether it has reduced the crime rate. With the recent passing of the Affordable Care Act, the students in Glasgow were extremely interested in how MacArthur students feel about Obamacare and health care reform in general.

 MacArthur students also had the opportunity to ask questions of their Scottish counterparts regarding how Europeans view American teenagers and whether they believe a national health care system works for Scotland. They also discussed whether the European Union has improved Scotland’s economics. 

Teacher Laura McCue was extremely pleased that the streaming session went so well and the class may take the opportunity to engage in a streaming session again.

 “The opportunity allowed the students to express their views on class and national topics and to use that knowledge in a conversation with their peers in another country,” Ms. McCue said. “It was a great experience for all of us.”  

Photo provided by Liz Sobel, Syntax