Youth & School Activities
Micro Essay Contest
Enfield Celebrates America's 250 Micro Essay Contest
In honor of the America 250, the Coordinating Committee invites local students grades 6-12 (or equivalent) to participate in a “micro-essay” contest that reflects the spirit of the semiquincentennial. Students (public, private, parochial, and home study) are encouraged to create a brief essay (maximum 1000 words) that reflects one of the prompts below. Be creative! Your work should reflect your view of the spirit of America as we approach this anniversary. Think about people, landmarks, events, and ideas that make America unique. Support your view with research and examples from history, current events, or personal experience. (Citations will not count for the word limit.) Be respectful of others.
We strongly suggest writing your essay in a Word or other writing system and pasting in to the essay.
Essay Topics:
Why does America’s 250th anniversary matter to you?
What does America’s founding ideas mean in your life, family, or future?
Tell the story of someone in your family who has helped others, served their country, or made a positive impact and how they inspire you today.
What would you do to make your community more kind, united, and fair?
Submission Dates: Program opens on November 1, 2025, and closes at midnight March 30, 2026.
Field Trip Ideas
Enfield Historical Society - Discover and Preserve Enfield CT
Scantic River State Park | Connecticut State Parks and Forests
Welcome to Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park Foundation, Inc. (September 6, 2026)
Springfield Armory National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service)
Home - Connecticut Museum of Culture and History
Including In-classroom programs: Classroom Outreach
For more great ideas, visit the CT 250 Commission’s Educator Resource page at: Educator Resources – America 250 | CT
Educator Ideas
CT State Commission Local History Project
The CT State Commission is encouraging students to engage with their local history! All students who participate will receive a recognition certificate. Download the below resources for tips on how you can help facilitate a project.
Educators: When your students have completed their project, please complete the form & use the provided templates to submit participating student names to info@ct250.org. Both steps must be completed by May 1, 2026, to receive your students’ certificates.
Curriculum
The Education Subcommittee, in cooperation with CT Humanities, has developed a series of lesson plans for social studies educators, tied to the CCSS standards and to the themes of the America 250 | CT Commission. EDUCATORS AND LEARNERS: You may use, share, print, and modify this content freely. Please credit CT Humanities and maintain this open license.
America 250 CT Educator Resources Full Packet
ConnecticutHistory.org
ConnecticutHistory.org is a state public history resource that provides engaging, well-researched stories about Connecticut history that link to reliable primary and interpretive resources.
Additional Programs
Connecticut History Day: Teachers and students are encouraged to participate in CT History Day through the Connecticut Democracy Center and develop projects related to the 250th and the themes for this commemoration.
Red, White, & Blue Schools: The Red, White & Blue Schools program recognizes K-12 public and private schools that are going above and beyond in their delivery of civic education. By participating in this program, schools are promoting being active and engaged members of their communities.
Connecticut’s Kid Governor: Connecticut’s Kid Governor® empowers 5th graders to change the world. This ground-breaking approach to civics education immerses students in a real election for their state’s Kid Governor, a fellow 5th grader who will represent them during a one-year term of active leadership. The program teaches important lessons about state government, voting, elections, and civic participation.
Civic Star Challenge: iCivics & the Bill of Rights Institute have launched a program with resources for teaching the Declaration of Independence. Educators may use these resources and teach the themes of the challenge to become eligible for prizes.
