Democracy
November 2022–April 2023
Democracy: A National Youth Summit civic education series
Over the course of the 2022–2023 school year, we released classroom resources that addressed the driving question, "How do the stories we tell about our past shape our democracy?"
Each case study used museum objects and artifacts, addressed a supporting question, and included teacher- and student-facing materials. Each release was accompanied by a webinar that introduced the case study, livestreamed for active participation, and recorded for asynchronous use.
Central Questions:
- What happens when all or part of your identity is not included in the narrative of U.S. democracy?
- How do the understandings of democracy change when more perspectives are added?
- What tools are available to shift, expand, or reimagine the story of democracy in the U.S.?
November 2022 Case Study:
What happens when all or part of your identity is not included in the narrative of U.S. democracy?
Featuring: "The Longest Walk" poster, 1978
Civics Education Series: Educator Guide
The Longest Walk: Student Guide
January 2023 Case Study:
How do the understandings of democracy change when more perspectives are added?
Featuring: AIDS quilt panel, 1980s
Civics Education Series: Educator Guide
AIDS quilt panel: Student Guide
March 2023 Case Study:
What tools are available to shift, expand, or reimagine the story of democracy in the U.S.?
Featuring: "No More Manzanars" protest sign, 2017
Civics Education Series: Educator Guide
No More Manzanars: Student Guide
April 2023 Program:
Keynote Speaker:
Ebony McKiver is currently the Senior Engagement Manager with the OER Project. The OER Project seeks to empower teachers, especially in world history, to better serve their students through innovative curricula and variety of teaching tools. With twenty years of experience in the field of education, Ebony has served previously as the Social Studies State Specialist for the state of Nebraska and Secondary Social Studies Educator in Cleveland, Ohio, Baltimore, Maryland, and Omaha, Nebraska. The scope of Ebony’s work includes, analyzing both current and existing trends with regard to social studies curriculum and instructional materials to create optimal learning environments for both educators and student, developing and leading professional development, identifying and communicating instructional shifts, providing content and technical expertise in social studies to education professionals throughout the country, and guiding school districts through the instructional materials selection process. Ebony brings to her current role a strong commitment to uplifting underrepresented and marginalized populations, social justice, and advocacy. She is intentional in her work to engage educators about and promote high quality instructional materials in social studies that emphasizes inquiry and diversity.
About the National Youth Summit:
The National Youth Summit brings middle and high school students together with scholars, teachers, policy experts, and activists in a national conversation about important events in America’s past that have relevance to the nation’s present and future.
The National Youth Summit is made possible by the A. James and Alice B. Clark Foundation, and the Patrick F. Taylor Foundation K-12 Learning Endowment.
