{"id":52,"date":"2026-04-14T13:07:09","date_gmt":"2026-04-14T18:07:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/civic-engagement\/?page_id=52"},"modified":"2026-08-05T11:54:24","modified_gmt":"2026-08-05T16:54:24","slug":"k12-civics-seminars","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/civic-engagement\/k12-civics-seminars\/","title":{"rendered":"K12 Social Studies"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><em>Teaching the Founding:<\/em> <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Seminar Series for WI K12 Social Studies Teachers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This statewide initiative brings high\u2011quality, in\u2011person civics seminars to K12 social studies teachers across Wisconsin. Programs connect educators with constitutional scholars through a partnership between the UW System Office of Civic Engagement and the Jack Miller Center. In each seminar, educators dive into America\u2019s founding documents, explore rich primary sources, and build practical strategies to support meaningful civic learning and civil dialogue in their classrooms. Along the way, teachers will also join a growing network of peers committed to strengthening civic education across Wisconsin.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This work is 100% supported by a three-year, $1.09 million grant awarded to the Universities of Wisconsin by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ed.gov\/grants-and-programs\/grants-birth-grade-12\/well-rounded-education-grants\/american-history-and-civics-national-activities-grants#:~:text=View%20as%20HTML-,Applicant%20Information,later%20than%20Sept%2030%2C%202025\">U.S. Department of Education\u2019s&nbsp;<em>American History &amp; Civics Seminars<\/em>&nbsp;program<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>This grant supports:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Stipends for participants who complete seminars<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Scholar-led content sessions paired with classroom application workshops<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Evidence-based teacher training programs provided by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jackmillercenter.org\/our-work\/initiatives\/founding-civics-initiative\">Jack Miller Center<\/a> (JMC)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Supporting activities designed to maximize and measure lasting program impact<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Outreach to public, voucher, and charter school sectors<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A statewide survey of Wisconsin social studies teachers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Statewide Reach<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Between 2026 and 2028,&nbsp;the Universities of Wisconsin&nbsp;will host 18+ in-person professional learning events with locations rotating among University of Wisconsin campuses to ensure wide geographic access. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/universityofwisconsin-my.sharepoint.com\/:b:\/g\/personal\/libby_falck_wisconsin_edu\/IQBSQGQS8c8_RIR8wQtD9WEJAWRM-fWGGJwlJVMS79T2gdg?e=5yO4Rc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Download Program Flyer<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uwsa-background-color-block angle-top alignfull has-dark-gray-background-color has-background\"><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uwsa-callout-block\" style=\"background-color:#FFFFFF\"><h3 class=\"callout-main-title\"><strong>Wisconsin Civic Educators Summit: The Constitution and American Self-Government<\/strong><\/h3><h4 class=\"callout-sub-title\"><strong>Saturday, October 24<br>9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.<br>University of Wisconsin\u2013Green Bay<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Wisconsin Civic Educators Summit brings together K\u201312 teachers, curriculum leaders, and civic education partners from across the state to explore the enduring significance of the United States Constitution and its role in American self-government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>HIGHLIGHTS:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>$150 stipend for participants<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keynote address exploring the relationship between the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Plenary discussion on teaching constitutionalism across K-12 grade levels<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Interactive breakout sessions led by Jack Miller Center and Sphere Education<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Free classroom resources and materials<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Opportunities to connect with educators from across Wisconsin<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/uwsystemadmin.qualtrics.com\/jfe\/form\/SV_7UnBU8xlLBeWO0K\" class=\"callout-button\" target=\"_blank\">Apply by October 2nd<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uwsa-callout-block\" style=\"background-color:#FFFFFF\"><h3 class=\"callout-main-title\">Next Seminar: <br><strong>America\u2019s First Government: The Articles of Confederation&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3><h4 class=\"callout-sub-title\"><strong>November 14, 2026<\/strong><br><strong>UW\u2013Oshkosh<\/strong><\/h4>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized is-style-overlay\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.archives.gov\/files\/milestone-documents\/images\/doc-003-big.jpg\" alt=\"image of the articles of confederation doc with illegible text\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1;object-fit:cover;width:292px;height:auto\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This one-day seminar invites&nbsp;<strong>K-12 social studies educators<\/strong>&nbsp;to examine the nation&#8217;s first framework of government through close study of the&nbsp;<strong>Articles of Confederation<\/strong>&nbsp;and the debates surrounding its creation and implementation. Participants will investigate both the successes and shortcomings of the Articles while analyzing letters, speeches, and other primary sources that reveal competing views of national authority, state sovereignty, and the challenges of governing a new republic. Through discussion and historical inquiry guided by expert scholars, educators will gain a deeper understanding of how the Confederation era shaped the development of the U.S. Constitution.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/uwsystemadmin.qualtrics.com\/jfe\/form\/SV_1yOW3oFnTJt0HmC\" class=\"callout-button\" target=\"_blank\">Get an invite to apply!<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Program Schedule<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-light-gray-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">25-26<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Seminars<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Eau Claire (Feb 28)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Milwaukee (July 8-10)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Conference Support<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>America at 250 Educator Summit (Aug 5-6)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>2026 Teaching About Elections Conference, UW-Madison (Sept 26)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-outline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/place.education.wisc.edu\/k12-programs\/teaching-about-the-elections-2026\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/civic-engagement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/385\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-05-at-11.23.36-AM-1-1024x641.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-455\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/civic-engagement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/385\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-05-at-11.23.36-AM-1-1024x641.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/civic-engagement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/385\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-05-at-11.23.36-AM-1-300x188.png 300w, https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/civic-engagement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/385\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-05-at-11.23.36-AM-1-768x481.png 768w, https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/civic-engagement\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/385\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-05-at-11.23.36-AM-1.png 1258w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-light-gray-color has-light-gray-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-671589c2084fb13644eab5f567af1195 is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">26-27<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Seminars<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Oshkosh (Nov 14)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Madison (Jan)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Eau Claire (Feb)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>River Falls<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Superior<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stevens Point<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Conference Support<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>2026 Wisconsin Civic Educators Summit<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>WI Social Studies Educator Survey<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>250+ completion<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><strong>Presentations and Publications<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>WCSS 2027<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Annual impact report<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column has-light-gray-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">27-28<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Seminars<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Whitewater<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Platteville<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stout<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Parkside<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Green Bay<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>La Crosse<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Conference Support<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>2027 Wisconsin Civic Educators Summit<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>2028 Teaching About Elections Conference, UW-Madison<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Presentations and Publications<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>WCSS 2028<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>CommUnity 2028<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wisconsin Social Studies Educator Survey results<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Annual impact report<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"background-color:#ffffff\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Expected Outcomes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>An improvement in participant content knowledge<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The breaking down of sector barriers (public, voucher, and charter) in teacher education and knowledge sharing around civics<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A lasting education training infrastructure that ensures the continuation of activities after the grant is complete through collaboration with the Wisconsin Civic Learning Coalition&#8217;s Civic Schools Network.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">At a Glance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Grant Amount:<\/strong>&nbsp;$1.09 million<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Funding Source:<\/strong>&nbsp;U.S. Department of Education<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Program:<\/strong>&nbsp;American History &amp; Civics Seminars<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Duration:<\/strong>&nbsp;3 years (2026-2028)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Lead Partner:<\/strong>&nbsp;Jack Miller Center<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uwsa-callout-block\" style=\"background-color:#FFFFFF\"><h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jackmillercenter.org\/get-involved\/events\/workshop-in-milwaukee-jefferson-and-the-origins-of-the-declaration\" class=\"callout-main-title\" target=\"\">Previous Seminar: <strong>Thomas Jefferson and the Origins of the Declaration of Independence<\/strong><\/a><\/h3><h4 class=\"callout-sub-title\"><strong>July 8\u201310, 2026<\/strong><br><strong>UW\u2013Milwaukee<\/strong><\/h4>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized is-style-overlay\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jackmillercenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Official_Presidential_portrait_of_Thomas_Jefferson_by_Rembrandt_Peale_1800-scaled-aspect-ratio-560-654.webp\" alt=\"\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1;object-fit:cover;width:292px;height:auto\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence by going behind the scenes of its most influential document.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This two-and-a-half-day teacher workshop invites educators to explore the ideas, debates, and historical context behind the Declaration of Independence through close analysis of primary sources. Participants will examine drafts of the Declaration written by Thomas Jefferson and edited by members of the drafting committee, including John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, while investigating the political and intellectual influences that shaped the document and its authors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Scholar-led content sessions on July 8\u20139 focus on how the Declaration was written, debated, and understood in its own time. The July 10 classroom application workshop emphasizes strategies for using primary sources to help students investigate the Declaration\u2019s origins and legacy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-style-yellow is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Participant Quotes<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;<em>This was honestly one of the most perfectly organized PDs&nbsp;I\u2019ve&nbsp;been a part of. There was a good amount of time for each keynote, good breaks, good lunch, good timing of the day overall without wearing us out in the afternoon.\u201d<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cClassroom application is often overlooked in content PD. It was refreshing to see experienced teachers show how to&nbsp;utilize&nbsp;the content from professors in a high, middle, or elementary school setting.\u201d<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cThe strategies and resources I gained through this seminar have empowered me to engage students to analyze the documents that have shaped this country&nbsp;in order to&nbsp;find their relevance in today\u2019s political climate. THANK YOU!!! Excellent job!!\u201d<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uwsa-background-color-block angle-top alignfull has-light-gray-background-color has-background\"><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Supporters\/Partners<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The following organizations submitted letters of support for the grant proposal. Other partners will be added as they become involved:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Jack Miller Center for Teaching America\u2019s Founding Principles and History<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Wisconsin Association of School Boards<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sphere Education Initiatives<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Center for Civic Education<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Legislative Semester<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Menard Center for Constitutional Studies at the University of Wisconsin Eau-Claire<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Whitburn Center for Governance and Policy Research at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Center for the Study of Liberal Democracy (CSLD) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Center for the Study of the American Constitution at the University of Wisconsin-Madison<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Contact<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Contact Program Manager <a href=\"mailto:libby.falck@wisconsin.edu\">Libby Falck<\/a> for more information.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Teaching the Founding: Seminar Series for WI K12 Social Studies Teachers This statewide initiative brings high\u2011quality, in\u2011person civics seminars to K12 social studies teachers across Wisconsin. Programs connect educators with [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6985,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-52","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-08-19 15:14:29","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/civic-engagement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/52","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/civic-engagement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/civic-engagement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/civic-engagement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6985"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/civic-engagement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=52"}],"version-history":[{"count":28,"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/civic-engagement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/52\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":470,"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/civic-engagement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/52\/revisions\/470"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/civic-engagement\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=52"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}