On Wednesday, December 4th Education Minnesota (University of Minnesota Student Chapter) in collaboration with DirecTrack to Teaching and Autism Speaks U-UMN put on a screening of the documentary Bully. The movie, followed by a discussion, attracted over 150 students at the U, despite the snowy conditions. Students who attended ranged from education majors to chemical engineering majors. Families outside of the University also participated in the screening and discussion.

Many students were moved by the film and innovative ideas were generated during the discussion. As a collective unit, the group discussed the reasons for bullying and ways to stop it. Some shared their personal stories and connections to bullying. The discussion concluded with the group brainstorming ways that bullying could be stopped. Students concluded that awareness was one of the main ways that bullying could be put to an end – not only increased awareness about bullying, but increased awareness of differences and local laws. Also, appropriate training for teachers is a concern as students discussed what role educators play in preventing bullying. In the film, there was a lack of school involvement due to the educators being unsure how to address bullying in their own school.

As a result of the event, The National Bully Project reached out to the group in search of a partnership. The goal of the partnership will be to reach out to schools in the Twin Cities area to help promote an anti-bully movement and educate both students and teachers about the importance of safe school environments.