Nearly 30 Ohio K-12 teachers gathered at BGSU for the CIVICS 250 Scholars Program. (Supplied photo)
The Democracy and Public Policy Network welcomed more than two dozen Ohio educators for the inaugural scholars program centered on the nation's founding principles and civic education
Bowling Green State University and the Democracy and Public Policy Network launched CIVICS 250, bringing together Ohio teachers to strengthen civics and history education through a new federally-supported professional development program.
Key Highlights
Event: CIVICS 250 Scholars Program
Participants: 27 K-12 educators from across northwest Ohio
Outcome: Providing participants with expert insight to help improve their American government and politics curriculum
Inaugural event
BGSU held the first week-long CIVICS 250 Scholars Program event from June 1-5, with more than two dozen K-12 educators from across northwest Ohio.
Supported by the U.S. Department of Education
The three-year initiative is focused on strengthening American history and civics education through nonpartisan professional learning communities.
Learning from experts
Participants gained expert insight from BGSU faculty to help improve their American government and politics curriculum.
"The reach of this program will be felt far and wide. It is a great example of BGSU living out its mission to be a public university for the public good."
ROBERT ALEXANDER, PH.D.
FOUNDING DIRECTOR, DEMOCRACY AND PUBLIC POLICY NETWORK
Ahead of America's 250th anniversary, the Democracy and Public Policy Network at Bowling Green State University hosted its inaugural professional development seminar, CIVICS 250.
As part of the CIVICS 250 Scholars Program, 27 Ohio K-12 teachers gathered at BGSU to focus on bolstering American history and civics education in their classrooms.
Held during the first week of June, the event drew educators from school districts across northwest Ohio, who gained expert insight from BGSU faculty to help improve their pedagogy related to American history, government, geography and economics curriculum.
"It is truly an honor to help support our teachers, especially in the context of creating learning communities around the study of American history and government during America’s 250th celebration," said Robert Alexander, Ph.D., founding director of the Democracy and Public Policy Network.
Supported by the U.S. Department of Education, the Network's program will continue establishing nonpartisan learning communities among K-12 educators across the region over the next three years.
Participating teachers will develop lessons and resources focused on the nation's foundational principles, including the ideas, traditions and institutions essential to understanding American government and history.
During dedicated "Document Days," participants learned how to effectively incorporate America's founding documents – including the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights – into their lessons to deepen students' understanding of the nation's history.
"These teachers are incredibly dedicated and they were so excited to be among others who shared their passion around civics education," Alexander said. "They now have a new community of their own they can lean on for professional ideas and inspiration. The reach of this program will be felt far and wide. It is a great example of BGSU living out its mission to be a public university for the public good."
CIVICS 250 will continue during the 2026 and 2027-28 school years. Upon completion of the program, participating teachers will receive a $500 stipend and a $100 travel stipend.
Participants will also receive six continuing education units (60 contact hours) from BGSU and gain VIP access to BGSU on-campus programming, including Days of Dialogue and the Democracy and Public Policy Network's annual Leadership Luncheon.
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Updated: 06/19/2026 08:00AM