A new season of school tours is underway at the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center.

“I’m always the first one here every year,” teacher Mike Mers jokingly boasted.

In fact for the last seven years, Mike Mers and his seventh and eighth grade social studies students from Guardian Angels School in Cincinnati have been the first tour group of the new school year.

“They get to do a case, and they like that kind of stuff. And then the different exhibits in the area they’re in right now, they get to see what kind of cases are taken by the Supreme Court,” he added.

The Visitor Education Center includes interactive exhibits that teach students about the role of the courts and important court cases.

quot;In an hour and a half, they can take in history; they can take in how the courts work; the role and responsibility of courts; and the great stories of the legal pioneers —both past and current," Civic Education Section Director Jay Wuebbold said.

The free tours are weekdays from 9 until 4, and can be scheduled by calling 614.387.9223 or by sending an e-mail to courttours@sc.ohio.gov.

“I think if you teach in Ohio, you should come to the capital anyway, and I think you should stop at the Supreme Court if you make it,” Mers said.