The Power of Moments in Civic Education: A Mock Congressional Hearing Simulation

This paper reports the design, implementation, and outcomes of a mock congressional hearing embedded within an introductory public policy course. Grounded in Chip and Dan Heath’s The Power of Moments framework—Elevation, Pride, Insight, and Connection—the hearing was developed to foster civic engagement and collaborative learning among first-year undergraduate students. Through analysis of student reflections, instructor observations, and survey data, this case study demonstrates how intentionally crafted experiential learning can deepen civic education, promote democratic discourse, and cultivate meaningful academic experiences. These findings affirm the power of collaborative learning to deepen civic understanding and strengthen community.