Teachers: Join the Civic Learning Week National Forum March 9-10 in Philadelphia

In anticipation of the nation’s semiquincentennial, the 2026 Civic Learning Week National Forum is expanding to two days — March 9–10, 2026. Join educators, policymakers, researchers, academics, students, and private- and public-sector leaders in Philadelphia as we explore Liberty and Learning: Civic Education at 250. Register for free here.

Programming by and for educators will include:

• Practitioners sharing approaches to cultivating student voice and engagement and identifying strategies to overcome barriers to civic teaching and learning;
• State education chiefs grappling with how to prioritize civic education in shifting environments;
• Students from across the country sharing their experiences and reflections on civic learning as they near graduation on the cusp of the nation’s 250th anniversary;
• Sessions on key topics in civic education today, including assessment, artificial intelligence, and civil discourse;
• A deep dive into the Roadmap to Educating for American Democracy—an inquiry-based framework for excellence in history and civics for all learners.

Educators will receive a certificate of participation from the Harvard Graduate School of Education documenting professional learning and educators from Pennsylvania will receive Act 48 hours for attendance.

Grade 6-8 teachers: Invite your students to the Civics Bee

A few months ago, a student from Jackson, OH won the 2025 National Civics Bee, beating out 38 other state champions from across the U.S. That student's civics knowledge, skills, and disposition were enough to earn a $100,000 grand prize. Do you know 6th, 7th, or 8th grade students in your district who deserve a chance to display their civic abilities in 2026?

The Civics Bee is an annual competition that encourages young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. As they compete for prizes, participants strengthen their civics, writing, and public speaking skills, and form friendships with other young leaders along the way.

To qualify for nationals, students can compete this spring in both regional and Pennsylvania state bees, where they can win up to $1,500. Encourage your students to fill out the application by the deadline on Feb. 3. C70 is partnering with the Philadelphia Chamber for our regional event, but we are happy to help students or teachers from across the state answer any questions. Just reach out!

"The Courts and the Community Series" in Cumberland County

Dickinson College is hosting "The Courts and The Community: An Educational Series for the Public," spearheaded by President John E. Jones III, a former federal judge himself, alongside federal judges Jennifer Wilson and Karoline Mehalchick. Co-hosted by the President’s Office and Dickinson’s Center for Civic Learning and Action (CCLA), the six-session workshop series invites community members—students, faculty, staff and local residents—to engage directly with federal judges and lawyers in interactive conversations regarding the rule of law, the court system and the U.S. Constitution.

The series is free and open to the public. No prior legal experience or education is required to participate. Space is limited, and interested participants must RSVP by Wednesday, Jan. 29 through this link.

Running on Wednesdays from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. throughout the late winter and spring, the program aims to demystify legal processes and foster civic understanding. To ensure a cohesive learning experience, participants are asked to commit to attending all six sessions.