Institute Goals

Education in civics and history equips members of a democratic society to understand, appreciate, nurture, and, where necessary, improve their political system and civil society. As a nation, our bonds are strained, civility has worn thin, and our sense of common purpose has weakened, just as the need for cooperation on large challenges grows urgent. The time has come to recommit to the civic and history education of our young people as a key mechanism for repairing the foundations of our constitutional democracy. Support for and learning among civics teachers is crucial for success. 

To continue to address this urgent need, the Democratic Knowledge Project’s Civic Learning Institute will host a group of 12 teachers (Grades 8-12) at a one-week, expenses-paid Civic Learning Institute at the Schoodic Institute campus in Acadia, Maine, from Sunday, July 26 – Saturday August 1, 2026. 

Educators will participate in an intellectually engaging and emotionally restorative learning context in which they can: 

• Reflect on and deepen their understanding of their own roles as civic participants.

• Deepen their understanding of and capacity to support deeper civic learning for their students.

• Share their promising practices and challenges with one other in ways that can inform future professional learning for civics teachers. 

• Have free time to pursue additional topics.