Civic Learning Week
2026-03-08 10:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, 2027 Fairmount Ave, Philadelphia, PA, 19130-2610, United States
Civic Learning Week is an annual event hosted and created by iCivics that emphasizes the importance of civic education in strengthening and sustaining constitutional democracy in the United States.
This week is designed for students (6-12th grade), educators, policymakers, and community leaders to collectively raise awareness and promote civic education across the United States, encouraging active participation in democracy by engaging people from all sectors to prioritize civic learning initiatives.
Students can explore ESPHS with the help of a Making Civic Connections handout designed to foster conversations about civics in the context of the historic site and Eastern State’s mission to advance public understanding of the criminal justice system to inspire a more just future.
This program is part of A Time for Liberty: Our Shared History, Our Shared Future, a yearlong slate of free, inclusive programs exploring the evolving meanings of liberty and justice in America. A Time for Liberty is made possible with support from civic and cultural partners including the City of Philadelphia, America250PA, Campus250, the Philadelphia Funder Collaborative for the Semiquincentennial, the National Trust Preservation Fund of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

NextGen Roundtable: Dallas Youth Summit
2026-03-09 09:00 - 15:00 | Dallas Community College, 3939 Valley View Ln, Farmers Branch, TX, 75244-4906, United States
To help build communication skills, critical thinking, and responsible citizenship in the next generation, the Close Up Foundation is engaging high school students and educators in regional, day-long events of deliberation and impact. These events are part of NextGen Roundtable: America 250, a growing initiative to honor the Semiquincentennial of the United States through classroom resources, professional development, and regional and national deliberations that connect our founding principles to the policy issues of today. In 2025-26, Close Up will lead four of these regional deliberations in communities across the United States ahead of July’s national deliberation, NextGen Roundtable: Decision 2026, in Washington, D.C.
During Civic Learning Week on March 9, 2026, Close Up will lead a regional deliberation at Dallas College. Students will deliberate on policy issues surround the “economy and the workforce’ in small groups moderated by trained neutral facilitators, weigh diverse perspectives from their peers and a panel of policy experts, and craft vision statements for making an impact in their community. All participating students will receive Close Up’s Deliberative Dialogue Badge.

Civic Education in a Divided Nation
2026-03-09 15:00 - 15:45 | Austin Marriott Downtown – Waller Ballroom C, 304 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX, 78701-4006, United States
This session will explore findings from America’s Promise Alliance’s State of Young People research, with a focus on young people’s experiences with & expectations for civic education. Young people are eager to participate in civic life—91% say that everyone should have access to civic education—yet in a moment of profound political polarization, only 43% feel equipped to participate civically. Panelists will explore bold initiatives designed to create a more inclusive, empowering civic learning experience & prepare all young people to participate & lead in an increasingly divided democracy.

Educating for American Democracy by Doing Democracy: Revitalizing the Principles and Practice of Democracy through the Power of Experiential Learning
2026-03-09 15:15 - 16:15 | Loews Philadelphia Hotel – Congress Hall AB, 1200 Market St, Philadelphia, PA, 19107-3615, United States
In a time of deep polarization and civic disengagement, experiential learning offers a powerful, research-backed way to revitalize civil discourse and cultivate shared civic identity. This session, presented by the Center for Civic Education, Generation Citizen, Mikva Challenge, and the Stuart Foundation will showcase how civic education rooted in founding principles fosters transformative learning and stronger communities. This session will highlight the work done by the Task Force on Experiential Civic Learning, and bring it to life with students who will speak to their experiences in various experiential civic programs. Drawing on decades of field experience and research, we will highlight programs that build students’ constitutional knowledge, strengthen discourse skills, and nurture the dispositions of responsible, informed engagement. Participants will explore how students in classrooms, afterschool programs, and community-based projects engage deeply with principles of constitutional democracy and the common good through authentic civic experiences. From simulated congressional hearings to student-led projects, experiential learning enables young people to “do democracy” rather than just learn about it. The result is life-changing—students understand their rights, listen across divides, and are prepared to lead in their communities. This session offers a fast-paced overview of EAD-aligned civic learning models that work. Civic education leaders, funders, and policymakers will gain renewed confidence in the power of experiential learning to build civic capacity, elevate youth voice, and strengthen the habits required of constitutional democracy.
Breakout Presenters:
Michael Blauw, Center for Civic Education, Director of Strategic Impact and Partnerships
Andrew Wilkes, Generation Citizen, Chief Voice and Policy Officer
Kathryn Bradley, Stuart Foundation, Director, Purpose of Education Fund
Verneé Green, Mikva Challenge, Chief Executive Officer

Lawrence Reviewed at the Dole Institute
2026-03-09 17:30 - 19:30 | The Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics @ the University of Kansas, 2350 Petefish Dr, Lawrence, KS, 66045-7506, United States
The Anthropocene Reviewed: Civic Education Edition invites students and community members to critically engage with their own local slice of the Anthropocene by contributing their own reviews, modeled by Green’s work. Stop by the Dole Institute of Politics on March 9 anytime from 5:30-7:30 p.m. CST to view our America at 250 Special Exhibits and explore our museum gallery. Also, see the World’s Largest Stained Glass American Flag Window as well as the September 11 Memorial.
And as part of Lawrence Reviewed, you can leave a review, talk with Lawrence Reviewed and Dole Institute staff, and participate in fun activities! As always, admission is FREE.

Civics Advocacy Day at the State Capitol
2026-03-10 09:00 - 12:00 | Connecticut State Capitol, 210 Capitol Ave, Hartford, CT, 06106-1535, United States
Join the Connecticut Democracy Center and civics practitioners from across the state as we elevate the importance of civic learning in the halls of the Capitol! Sign up to reserve exhibitor table space where you can display information about your organization and programs, and speak with legislators and their staffs about why we must prioritize K-12 civic learning.

Future250 Civic Visioning Workshop: Imagining Democracy in 2050
2026-03-10 15:30 - 18:00 | AS220, 115 Empire St, Providence, RI, 02903-3255, United States
The Future250 Civic Visioning Workshop is an innovative, youth-led initiative that commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence by positioning young people as civic architects of democracy’s next chapter. This interactive workshop moves beyond traditional historical commemoration to active democracy building through creative expression and collaborative visioning. Participants will use diverse creative mediums—including writing, movement and visual arts—to collectively envision how American civic life could transform to reflect their values and hopes for 2050 and beyond.
This event is intended for youth only, up to 24 years old.

The Future of Civics: Celebrating America@250 and our Commitment to Civic Learning & Engagement in NJ -- A daylong conference
2026-03-11 08:30 - 14:30 | CivicsNJ, Rutgers University, Camden, NJ, 08102, United States
Join us as we convene a diverse audience of educators, practitioners, students, community members, policymakers and funders to explore the critical question: What does the future hold for civics in New Jersey? As we draw on lessons from the nations founding in this 25oth Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, we will spotlight innovation and excellence in civics around the state and find inspiration for the work to come.

Date and Time: Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Location: Rutgers University – Camden, Campus Center, 326 Penn Street, Camden, NJ
Learn more and register.

Indiana Civic Health Index Regional Conversation
2026-03-11 12:00 - 13:00 | Pittenger Center, 2000 W University Ave, Muncie, IN, 47306-1022, United States
Earlier this year, the 2025 Indiana Civic Health Index was introduced at the Statehouse. Join the Indiana Bar Foundation and Ball State University’s Center for Economic and Civic Learning for a regional follow-up conversation on what the new findings mean for our communities.
We’ll discuss key trends in voting, civic participation, and social connectedness – and what these data suggest for strengthening civic life across Indiana. Dr. David J. Roof (Ball State) authored the Index’s voter engagement section and will share highlights and help facilitate a discussion.

From Classroom to Public Square: Civic Education and Democratic Life
2026-03-12 17:30 - 20:00 | University of Missouri, 123 Reynolds Alumni Ctr, Columbia, MO, 65211-2101, United States
Join us to explore how civic education across K-12 and higher education shapes democratic participation and public life. American Public Square, The University of Missouri Open Minds Initiative, and the Missouri Civic Learning Coalition will host an informational and insightful panel discussion about civic education led by Social Studies Directors and a parent representative. The panel discussion will be followed by a reception where there will be opportunity for honest discussion based on your experiences and reflection on the panel discussion. In-person and virtual options available. Reception begins at 5:30. Panel begins 6:30. Post-event reception begins at 7:30.
