In this exploratory course, students join six teenagers as they travel around the United States in a recreational vehicle named "Washington." The teens, called the "Insiders," travel to five cities to collect information about the Constitution, the federal bureaucracy, and the three branches of government. As the "Insiders" gather information, they pass it along to the student. While exploring the country, the "Insiders" also learn about a variety of public policy issues, from teen pregnancy to affirmative action. The "Insiders" interview ordinary Americans about their opinions, offer Web sites, and present information about the issues.

The students must select five issues and do five projects in which they will have to make the same kinds of decisions expected of voting-age Americans. Upon completing this course, students will be able to define civic life, politics, and government, and clarify their values of these topics; describe the foundations of the American political system and compare them with contemporary laws and principles of American democracy; describe America's relationship with other nations and its role in world affairs; and describe the roles of the citizen in American democracy.