Sign up for the PA Youth Mock Election this spring

National attention is off Pennsylvania politics in 2025, but we still have elections this year, and these offices arguably impact students' lives as much or more than federal and statewide campaigns. Many voters will decide members of their local school board, municipal government, and judges across the judicial system.

The primary is on May 20th, and your students can follow along the spring by voting in the PA Youth Mock Election, which gives students hands-on practice casting votes for real candidates who appear on their ballot. This will be a great opportunity for students to learn about these lesser-known races.

The Mock Election is available to all Pennsylvania teachers statewide, for free. Later this spring, C70 will provide digital instructions for how classrooms can participate, plus access to a nonpartisan voter guide for students to research their choices. The Mock Election supplements C70's Elections & Voting curriculum (also free!). We invite middle and high school teachers to sign up anytime between now and May 19th (the day before the May 20th election).

Your students can interview local candidates

C70 connects classrooms to candidates each election so that students can interview the people running to represent them. C70 works with teachers to connect with candidates or public officials from all parties, across all levels of government. Students supply the questions on issues they care about, while C70 will coordinate your schedule with interested campaigns. We'll also provide information for your classrooms about the offices on the ballot and the issues they address. Most interviews, about 15-20 minutes long, are conducted via zoom so that they can be easily streamed for the public to watch.

See previous interviews on YouTube, like the one below that students from Constitution High in Philly did with Congressperson Mary Gay Scanlon. Teachers can sign up here to request an interview.

Professional learning opportunity this summer

The Center for Civic Education has an upcoming opportunity for Pennsylvania teachers:

Are you a teacher of grades 4–12 and new to the We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution curricular program? The Center’s partners throughout the country are hosting professional learning programs this summer to help educators learn how to teach this engaging civic education program. Through the We the People: Civics that Empowers All Students our partners will provide educators with engaging multi day in-person summer institutes, a yearlong professional learning community, a free set of textbooks, stipends, professional learning credits, and more. Learn more and express interest in this opportunity on our project landing page.

Separately, Project Community equips educators with the tools needed to effectively teach media literacy and civic engagement to diverse and underserved students. Teachers receive comprehensive preparation, professional development, and continuous support as they guide students in grades 4–8. The project enhances the Center's Project Citizen program by integrating new media literacy lessons that meet the needs of today’s educators and learners with various identities, abilities, and challenges. You can get involved! If you are an educator in grades 4–8 and would like to join this upcoming cohort of teachers who will receive professional development to teach this new curriculum in the classroom, complete our Teacher Participation Interest Form.

Paid day to create aligned lessons with BRI

The Bill of Rights Institute, a proud member of the PA Civics coalition, has a paid opportunity for Pennsylvania teachers on Saturday, March 29 in Pittsburgh.

Join BRI for an engaging and interactive workshop designed to help teachers align Pennsylvania US History and Civics Standards with the Bill of Rights Institute's curriculum and resources. This full-day workshop will provide educators with the tools and resources needed to create ready-made lesson plans that can be shared with fellow Pennsylvania teachers. This workshop will provide a comprehensive and collaborative environment for teachers to enhance their curriculum and ensure it meets Pennsylvania standards. A stipend will be provided upon completion of a Standards aligned lesson plan. Learn more and register here.