MLK lesson plan available for C70 Civic Holidays

On Monday, in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr., Americans are called to make it a day on, not a day off. January's MLK Day is the first of many civic holidays throughout the year. These holidays offer a wonderful chance for Americans to come together to celebrate our country’s accomplishments and opportunities. Each holiday can also inspire young people to further participate in their community.

On our website, you can see the first of C70's free lesson plans that we will produce throughout the year. You can also sign up to receive future lessons in your inbox each month.

Next Monday also happens to be Inauguration Day for incoming president Donald Trump. We hope every American takes some time to reflect and engage with their community on this important day.

And the Inauguration Essay Contest Winners Are...

Today's high schoolers have had a political coming of age shaped by the man who will take the oath of office Monday on the National Mall, Donald Trump. What are they hoping to hear from President Trump on Monday when he delivers his second inaugural address?

What words, what messages would best reassure them, inspire them, boost their faith in their future as Americans?

Over the last few weeks, 34 students submitted essays where they acted as speechwriters for the new president or as aides suggesting ideas, themes or positions. The Can We Talk? team selected our three favorites. Congratulations to Miriam Feday, a senior at Whitehall-Coplay High School near Allentown, on winning our 1st place prize, while her classmate, Synthia Layous, earned one of the two second place awards. Our third winner was Matt Torres, a senior at Wissahickon High School in Ambler, Montgomery County.

We also awarded 12 honorable mentions. You can read each of the essays on our website. We've also included some educator resources to share with students about previous inaugural addresses, including the speeches themselves, discussion questions, and additional reading materials.

Thanks to the students who participated.

HS social studies teachers needed for research study

UPenn’s Graduate School of Education is conducting a research study to explore the perspectives of social studies teachers on democracy, civic values, and what it means to be a social studies teacher in the U.S. today. If you have more than one year of social studies teaching experience, you may be eligible to participate.

Those who are selected will participate in up to three 1-on-1interviews and one focus group, all via Zoom. The total time commitment will be around six hours, spread out over five weeks, scheduled at your convenience.

You can sign up here anytime before February 7. For more information, contact Carmen Delgado, cdelgado@upenn.edu.

Celebrating young writers in Philadelphia

Vote That Jawn is excited to announce the inaugural Sheno Prizes, celebrating young writers in Philadelphia!

Vote That Jawn is an initiative that aims to amplify youth voices. Through the Sheno Prizes, Jawn encourages students from all over the city to write about the causes that matter most to them.

The Sheno Prizes recognize outstanding, short pieces on voting, democracy, immigration, or Philadelphia life. One high school student and one college student will each receive a cash prize, publication opportunities, and more!

High school writers: Submit a 500-word piece by February 7, 2025 at VoteThatJawn.com! 

College writers: Submit a 800-word piece by February 7, 2025 at VoteThatJawn.com! 

Winners will also be invited to a special celebration in March, featuring food, fun, and special guests from across Philly. Here is a quick video explaining more.