Ohio schools can now apply for one of 100 grants to help pay for field trip transportation costs for students to visit the Ohio Judicial Center.

Visitor Education Center Coordinator Julie Manning said the center is accepting applications through Sept. 15, where schools could be awarded grants up to $400.

The grants are not funded with taxpayer dollars.

"If we could contribute $200 to $300 towards that bus transportation I really think that means we're going to get some kids here, some schools here that have never been able to come here before," Manning said.

Manning said several school districts are scratching Ohio Judicial Center visits off their yearly classroom curriculum due to financial restraints.

"Our goal is to really provide funding for those schools that fall into the neediest in Ohio," Manning said.

The Ohio Judicial Center Foundation gave $30,000 to the Visitor Education Center specifically to help fund the 100 transportation grants.

This is the first time ever the center received money to help bring students to the Ohio Judicial Center.

Foundation Chair Michael Ball said the money came from an anonymous donor who wanted to help support the late Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer's goals of educating young students.

"The majority of the foundation members felt that it was very important to enable students to be here and if we could do that through our contribution that in essence that will have a lasting impact because it potentially will affect those students lives and how they see our judiciary and long term what they decide to do with their lives," Ball said.

Manning said it's important for students to experience government live in action. Besides watching an actual court case in session, students can also interact with digital animation and exhibits.

"We bring court to life by having our guides lead a mock trial experience where kids actually engage in a trial," Manning said. "It allows us to teach important lessons about court like fairness and impartiality while they learn something and have fun and they love that so much."

Manning said it's a great way for teachers to supplement their classroom lessons.

She said students of all ages enjoy learning about the judicial system and watching what they read in their textbooks come to life.

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