Last Tuesday, GMSD AP Government students took their learning beyond the classroom by participating in live exit polling as part of Election Day activities. Through rigorous training and vetting by the Shelby County Election Commission, students learned the ins and outs of conducting accurate and respectful exit polls, a method of gathering data from voters immediately after they cast their ballots. Five precincts in Germantown opened their doors to our students, who gathered data that reflected the pulse of the community.
These students shared their findings in an impressive 8-hour live broadcast from the high school's GMTV studio. The broadcast included exclusive one-on-one interviews with local Germantown candidates, giving viewers insights into the election process and candidates’ perspectives.
According to AP Government student Campbell Poor’s report, the students' predictions were impressively accurate, with an average polling error margin of just 3.6%. This experience didn’t just serve the citizens of Germantown by providing timely election insights—it also offered an invaluable lesson in civic engagement. Through this hands-on project, our students gained a deeper understanding of the democratic process and the importance of informed citizenship, reinforcing the ideals of active, responsible participation in our community.