RI Civic Learning Week 2026

RI Department of State: Rhode Island’s Revolutionary Roots (Virtual)
9-10am

This session provides participants with a comprehensive look at civic engagement and Rhode Island’s history through the lens of the Secretary of State’s lesson, “RI250: Rhode Island’s Road to the Declaration of Independence,” and an overview of the RI250 Commission, the state commission leading Rhode Island’s Semiquincentennial observance.

Educators, administrators, and students will learn how to participate in these programs and explore opportunities for civic engagement during the Semiquincentennial observance and beyond.

Getting Started with Civic Action Projects: Expectations and Tools for Planning (Virtual)
3-4pm

What is considered a high-quality, student-led civics project, and how can educators support students at each phase of the process? In this session, participants will explore the Rhode Island Department of Education’s (RIDE) expectations for civics projects by examining how project phases align with the C3 Framework and RIDE’s Civic Learning Practices. Participants will engage with practical planning tools and leave with an adaptable roadmap for guiding students from inquiry through civic action. While this session is designed for teachers, school and district leaders are welcome to attend.

Civic Engagement and Mental Health (Virtual)
3:30-4:15pm

The purpose of this seminar will be to describe how civic engagement can be used in programming to support the mental health needs of youth and young adults. Youth and young adults are experiencing increased isolation, hopelessness, and mental health distress. Most mental health programs overemphasize individual factors and interpersonal factors while neglecting structural barriers to mental wellness. Civic engagement offers a novel approach to improving mental wellness among youth and young adults.

Spotting Online Imposters: A SIFT Method Case Study (Virtual)
10-10:30am

This workshop introduces the SIFT method as a practical tool for identifying imposter content online, using the Labubu vs. Lafufu confusion as a real-world case study. The purpose of the session is to help participants slow down, investigate sources and recognize how misleading or look-alike content can shape opinions and decisions. Attendees will gain hands-on experience applying the SIFT steps to images and information related to Labubu and Lafufu, building verification skills that support more informed and responsible civic engagement online. The workshop is structured as an interactive, guided walkthrough with discussion and questions throughout. Participants will leave with greater confidence in evaluating online content and making thoughtful, informed choices in digital spaces.

Court in Session: Student Edition (Virtual)
12:30-1:30pm

The goal of this civics education initiative is to connect educators, students, and state court judges for a look into how the courts preserve the rule of law, including essential elements such as equal justice under the law. Time will be allowed for discussion with judges about their journey to the bench as well as a question-and-answer segment.

Artivism for Change
3:30-5pm

“Artivism for Change” will teach participants how to use creative methods for advocacy and change-making in local communities. The workshop begins with a slideshow highlighting examples of artivism. Then, transitions to a maker-space workshop, encouraging participants to channel their unique qualities to create their own artivism project about an issue they care about using tools The Womxn Project provides.

Future250 Civic Visioning Workshop: Imaging Democracy in 2050 (In-Person)
3:30-6pm

The Future250 Civic Visioning Workshop is an innovative, youth-led initiative that commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence by positioning young people as civic architects of democracy’s next chapter. This interactive workshop moves beyond traditional historical commemoration to active democracy building through creative expression and collaborative visioning. Participants will use diverse creative mediums - including writing, movement and visual arts - to collectively envision how American civic life could transform to reflect their values and hopes for 2050 and beyond.

This event is intended for youth only, up to 24 years old.

From Participation to Purpose: Stories of Civic Engagement and Civic Careers (Virtual)
10-10:45am

This session will engage middle and high school students and teachers in a discussion about pathways that panelists have taken to civic engagement. Four individuals representing a range of pathways and professions will participate in a moderated Q&A panel session to share their own educational experiences that helped pave the way for successful civic engagement. Teachers and students are invited to work together ahead of the panel to come up with interview style questions they would like to see the participants respond to during the session, with opportunities available for classes to directly ask questions during the panel. This moderated panel and Q&A session will provide middle and high school students and teachers with valuable perspectives on the skills and experiences that lead to meaningful civic involvement.

So You Want to Change the World? Youth Leaders of Rhode Island Shaping the Future (Virtual)
12-1pm

This workshop, geared to high school students, will expose students to the voices of young leaders in Rhode Island. This workshop will feature young panelists from the Providence community, moderated by Brown Votes. Participants will walk away with tangible changes they can make in their community.

Non-Profit Advocacy Training (Virtual)
1-2pm

The Nonprofit Advocacy Training introduces Rhode Island government, advocacy strategy, and compliance with 501©3 tax status. Nonprofit staff, leadership, boards, and volunteers can all contribute to systems change work.

Power at 16: Young People Rewriting Democracy (Virtual)
3:30-4:15pm

Power at 16: Young People Rewriting Democracy is a fast-paced, interactive Vote16USA workshop that invites young people to explore why lowering the voting age to 16 is both powerful and winnable. Through real-world examples, small-group collaboration, and live engagement, participants connect their lived experiences to the national Vote16 movement. The session empowers young people to see themselves not as future voters, but as leaders shaping democracy right now.

League of Women Voters RI Citizen Series: Voting in RI (In-Person)
6:30-8pm

A stronger democracy starts with informed citizens. Be one of them!

-How to register and check your eligibility.
-The various ways to cast your vote.
-Proposed changes to state voting laws.
-Where to find reliable information for future elections.

Leave with necessary knowledge and a plan of action for participating in the upcoming elections.

Early Career Jobs in Civics (Virtual)
12-12:45pm

The purpose of this session is to introduce the many local and national options for early career public sector professionals in the fields of civic engagement and national service. The audience will have the opportunity to learn about the landscape of public sector careers as well as specific ways to look for jobs in civic learning and civic engagement through national service programs.

Whose Voice Counts? Civic Dialogue, Power and Misinformation in the Classroom (Virtual)
3:30-5pm

Many classroom discussions about history and civic issues become polarized or shut down when misinformation, power dynamics, and concerns about safety go unaddressed. This interactive workshop introduces Everyday Democracy’s multipartial facilitation approach which supports educator and student engagement in meaningful civic dialogue across differences. Participants will take part in a short role-play based on a real school-based civic dilemma and practice three core strategies: maintaining safety, challenging misinformation, and balancing power. The session offers practical tools and a role-play activity that supports civic learning, democratic deliberation, and inclusive participation. This session is designed for teachers, students, and community partners seeking concrete ways to strengthen civic dialogue and democratic skills in classroom and school community settings.

Sweet (In)Equity (In-Person)
3:30-5pm

Participants will explore systemic inequities through this eye-opening and highly interactive workshop, with a sweet twist! Students will learn how the slightest adjustments to the starting rules can lead to massive gaps in power and privilege as they work together to create a more just world. This 90-minute workshop provides a powerful look at the political, economic, and social determinants of inequality, offering many sweet surprises along the way!

Providence Eye’s 2026 Election Watch Kickoff Event (Virtual)
6-7pm

2026 is shaping up to be an important election year for Providence - with every City Council seat on the ballot and challengers to the mayoral incumbent, voters have a lot to consider before Election Day. Join The Providence Eye to learn about the tools and coverage we will create to help voters feel prepared throughout every step of this election year. Plus, hear from local civic organizations about the work being done in Providence to make elections more equitable and engaging.

RI State House Tour & Civic Leadership in Action: Insights from Participants in the Rhode Island Civic Leadership Program (Virtual)
1-2pm

This session will include a virtual tour of the beautiful Rhode Island State House. Participants will also hear from alumni of the Rhode Island Civic Leadership Program (RICLP), who will share their experiences in the program demonstrating how high school students are actively engaging in their communities and developing civic leadership skills.

So You Want to Change the World? Youth Leaders of Rhode Island Shaping the Future (In-Person)
4-5pm

The purpose of this event is to enable high school students to gain exposure to the voices of young leaders (teens/early twenties) in Rhode Island making change in the local community. This will include a panel of 4-5 young leaders, moderated by members of Brown Votes. The panel will be followed by an interactive “So You Want to Change the World?” workshop-style activity that will get students talking about what they will take away from the presentation to impact their own communities.