This spring, the Department is hosting an America 250 Webinar Series for educators. The webinars are designed to strengthen content knowledge and teaching practices in social studies. Educators may register for the full series by completing the registration form, or join individual webinars using the direct Zoom links at their scheduled times.
Upcoming Dates & Topics
The time for all webinars in the America 250 Webinar Series is 4-5 p.m.
- Jan. 26, 2026 - Revolutionary Iowans: Part I
Partner Organization: State Historical Museum
Description: The American Revolution wasn’t just a moment in history—it was the beginning of an ongoing struggle for freedom. From the war’s earliest patriots to modern-day advocates, Iowans have carried forward the ideals of life, liberty and justice for all. Join the Iowa Department of Education and the State Historical Society of Iowa for a two-part webinar series exploring the lives and legacies of some revolutionary Iowans.
Jan. 26, 2026 Zoom Link - Feb. 16, 2026: Revolutionary Iowans: Part II
Partner Organization: State Historical Museum
Description: The American Revolution wasn’t just a moment in history—it was the beginning of an ongoing struggle for freedom. From the war’s earliest patriots to modern-day advocates, Iowans have carried forward the ideals of life, liberty and justice for all. Join the Iowa Department of Education and the State Historical Society of Iowa for a two-part webinar series exploring the lives and legacies of some revolutionary Iowans.
Feb. 16, 2026 Zoom Link - March 10, 2026: Meeting the Moment: The Intersection of Civil Discourse and the American Founding
Partner Organization: Sphere/Cato Institute
Description: Join Sphere Education Initiatives as we explore how educators can build and cultivate a consistent practice of civil discourse in every classroom. We’ll delve into core civil discourse pedagogy as a tool for navigating complex conversations around content as well as contemporary issues. We’ll examine how structured discourse deepens student growth, fosters individual understanding, and inspires the consideration of multiple perspectives with curiosity. Finally, we’ll share tools and strategies for civil discourse around the Founding principles, the Founders as historical actors, and the Declaration of Independence as both an aspirational document and a promise, fulfilled or unfulfilled, while supporting students in respectful, critical and collaborative inquiry.
March 10, 2026 Zoom Link - March 31, 2026: Carrie Chapman Catt
Partner Organization: Catt Center at Iowa State University
Description: Iowan Carrie Chapman Catt led a national movement to enact the 19th Amendment, which guaranteed women’s right to vote. She also established an international woman suffrage movement and was active in the peace movement between World War I and World War II. Famous in her own time, yet less well known today, Carrie Chapman Catt is an Iowan who expanded democracy in the United States and abroad.
March 31, 2026 Zoom Link - April 14, 2026: Founding Principles and the U.S. Constitution
Partner Organization: Florida Joint Center for Citizenship, Lou Frey Institute
Description: On July 4, 2026, our nation will commemorate and celebrate the 250th (semiquincentennial) anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This brings a historic opportunity to build civic knowledge, pride, and engagement with our students. Through this webinar, the Lou Frey Institute will help staff focus less on the division of this time period and more on the beauty behind the American story, Founding Principles, and continued quest for a “more perfect union.” High-quality, standards-based resources used in conjunction with the theme of America250 will offer social studies teachers a unique way to make the Founding Principles relevant and real within their classrooms today. Join us to learn more!
April 14, 2026 Zoom Link
Previous Webinar Recordings
Webinar recordings will be added to this section after the live webinar date.