NEW YORK (AP) - Retired Supreme Court Justice Hon. Sandra Day O'Connor is developing a free interactive Web-based program for middle-schoolers on the U.S. court system.

The program will be called "Our Courts" and allow students to participate in realistic government simulations and investigate and argue actual cases.

Arizona State University and Georgetown University are assisting O'Connor in developing the program.

Arizona State Professor James Gee says the program will teach children the importance of free and independent courts in a democracy.

The Web site, www.ourcourts.org, will be launched in the fall of 2008.

O'Connor is the first woman to serve on the nation's highest court. She is speaking about the program at The New School on Wednesday.