Food is more than sustenance—it's a compelling entry point into conversations about culture, community, and access. This fall, 8th-grade students at The Storm King Scholl are exploring those connections through a new civic engagement initiative led by faculty member Djazmina Guerrier, in partnership with the Smithsonian's Democracy in Dialogue program.

Ms. Guerrier joined a national cohort of educators this past summer, traveling to Washington, D.C. for an intensive three-day training hosted by the Smithsonian. There, she participated in workshops on dialogue facilitation, inquiry-based learning, and project design—all aimed at helping teachers bring civic dialogue into the classroom in meaningful, student-centered ways. Her experience laid the foundation for launching the program at Storm King.

The Democracy in Dialogue program engages students in inquiry-based learning and virtual exchange with peers from across the country. Storm King's 8th graders are collaborating with students from CV Koogler Middle School in Aztec, New Mexico, to examine how food reflects identity, economics, and shared challenges like food insecurity.

The program combines independent exploration with live dialogue sessions held on several Wednesday afternoons throughout the semester. Students begin by investigating their own communities and looking at how food systems intersect with culture and access. That work becomes the foundation for virtual exchanges, where they engage in meaningful discussions with their peers in New Mexico.

"Food became our central theme," Ms. Guerrier explains. "It ties together identity, economics, culture, and history. Students are creating a shared story that highlights both the uniqueness of their communities and the common issues they face."

The project will culminate in a public showcase of student work in December. But, according the Ms. Guerrier, the learning extends far beyond the conclusion of the program: "Students will walk away with tools for civic dialogue, critical thinking, and cross-cultural understanding—skills they'll carry with them for life. They will see themselves not just as students, but as active participants in their communities."

By connecting classrooms across regions and grounding learning in lived experiences, the Democracy in Dialogue program brings civic education to life—starting with a conversation around the dinner table. At Storm King, that work is already underway and it's helping to prepare our 8^th-graders to become curious and empathetic future leaders.