Social Science Resources and Opportunities

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Oregon Department of Education - Oregon achieves - together

February 2025 Social Science Newsletter
Black History Month 2025

Celebrating Black History Month in Our Classrooms

As we enter Black History Month, we have a valuable opportunity to deepen our students' understanding of the rich contributions, achievements, and ongoing legacy of Black Americans throughout our nation's history. This month offers a special chance to highlight often-overlooked narratives, celebrate Black excellence across all fields, and engage students in meaningful discussions about equity, justice, and representation.

We encourage educators to go beyond traditional approaches by incorporating Black history and achievements into their regular curriculum throughout the year. Consider exploring local Black history, featuring contemporary Black leaders and innovators, and connecting historical events to current social movements

Many teachers and schools honor the accomplishments of Black pioneers and key historical figures during Black History Month. Attend an event celebrating Black History around the state and check out the resources for use throughout the year.

History and Civics Resources

The Tuskegee Airmen: The story behind the airmen and their double victory

The Oregon Black Pioneers website includes lesson plans created with Oregon teachers for elementary, middle, and high school classrooms. 

PBS has an expansive collection of resources to celebrate the joy and achievements of the Black community including:. Great Migrations: A People On The Move, Forgotten Hero: Walter White and the NAACP

The most famous activist you've never heard of and American Coup: Wilmington 1898

iCivics offers a wide selection of resources including 5 short videos on Change Makers and the Civil Rights Era and a timely lesson on the 14th Amendment and birthright citizenship.

The American Federation of Teachers Share My Lesson has curated a collection of over 90 lessons and resources on history, art and culture, science, and economics for grades 6-12.

The Woodson Center’s K-12 Black History and Excellence lessons tell the stories of Black Americans whose tenacity and resilience enabled them to overcome adversity and make invaluable contributions to our country. The Woodson Center partnered with Oregon via the OER Commons platform to offer resources on 25 topics with versions for both high school and K-8 classrooms.

National Museum of African American History and Culture: The NorthStar

Explore African American history through digital activities on the Smithsonian Learning Lab platform. The activities, or collections, have gathered objects, stories, videos and thinking questions all in one place.
American Covenant

Book Review

Spotlight on Civics: American Covenant by Yuval Levin

Oregon's adoption of two laws expanding civics education helped shape the upcoming Social Science Standards. From kindergarten, when students identify the components of healthy and respectful dialogue, to the high school standards requiring students to investigate multiple perspectives on federal and state government, these new civics standards require students to engage with the principles of maintaining a pluralistic democracy.

"How can a diverse and divided nation hold together and govern itself?" is the central question for Yuval Levin's American Covenant and for many calling for a renewed focus on civics education. American Covenant acknowledges the political divisions across the United States and within local communities. Still, it suggests that we revisit the structure and intent of our Constitution to help navigate the gaps between left and right, progressive and conservative.

While Levin's treatment of challenging historical moments is brief, his framework for understanding constitutional compromise offers teachers a valuable tool for helping students engage with difficult historical discussions. His argument that the compromises within the Constitution must be understood in their historical context reminds us that addressing contemporary challenges requires understanding both what has come before and the ongoing difficulty of maintaining a pluralistic democracy.

Understanding the designed tension within the system of checks and balances is perhaps the most universal civics lesson. Levin's explanation of these constitutional tensions offers a fresh perspective for students. However, his central concern echoes throughout Oregon's standards: this system only works if we practice the discussion, debate, and deliberation intended by the Constitution's authors. While its ideals have often stood in stark contrast to historical realities - requiring generations of struggle to expand their promise to all Americans - understanding and engaging with its framework for resolving differences through democratic processes remains our best hope for sustaining a pluralistic democracy.

Do you have a suggestion for a book that might help teachers implement the social science standards? Please send your suggestions to Amit Kobrowski.
USSYP

United States Senate Youth Program

Oregon Students Selected for U.S. Senate Youth Program

Two Oregon high school students have been selected to represent the state in the 63rd annual United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) in Washington, D.C., March 1-8, 2025. Katie Jin of Catlin Gabel School and Annamika Konkola of West Linn High School will join Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley for a week of meetings with federal government leaders, including the president and a Supreme Court justice. Each delegate will receive a $10,000 college scholarship.

Jin, a junior, serves as president of the Multnomah County Youth Advisory Board and has led several community initiatives, including a $15,000 project providing culturally specific meals to homeless individuals. Konkola, a senior, chairs West Linn's Youth Advisory Council and is a two-time International Science and Engineering Fair participant focusing on educational equity research.

Saahas Koganti of Westview High School and Brooklyn Genduso of Century High School were selected as alternates. Additional information is available on the USSYP webpage. Encourage your students to apply for 2026. Look for application information in the August and September Social Science Newsletter.
Civics Learning Project

Civics Learning Project

 Hatfield Futures -  Hosted by Oregon's Kitchen Table, this fully funded summer week-long summer youth program gathers Oregon high school students who are interested in collaborating with other youth to design and present proposals to community leaders, elected officials, and other members of the community on issues important to them.  Applications due February 15, 2025. 

 Civics Learning Week - CLW is a national initiative overseen by iCivics to ensure that civics education becomes a national priority. This year it takes place between March 10 - 14. CLP will be sharing a toolkit in February with ideas on how educators can incorporate civics education into their instruction. If you'd like to discuss ideas for how your district or region can celebrate Civics Learning Week, please email CLP.

Student Essay Contests:

National Center for State Courts - Open for students in grades 3 - 12, the essay topics inspire students to explore the principles of US government. The contest opens February 17 and entries are due March 21.

Ninth Circuit Civics Contest - An essay and video contest for high school students in the western United States and Pacific Islands. Submissions are due March 7 and the grand prize winner receives $3,000 plus travel and accommodations to the 2025 Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference. 
Rosie Kid Gov

2025 Kid Governor Rosie Lanenga

The 2025 Oregon Kid Governor Rosie Lanenga was sworn in on January 16th in a ceremony at the Oregon State Capitol in the Senate Chambers. Oregon Kid Governor Lanenga is a fifth grader at Riverdale Grade School in Portland. She is the 8th Oregon Kid Governor. Her platform is addressing climate change. Watch Rosie's campaign video and the Inauguration Ceremony at the Oregon Legislature in Salem. Rosie is supported by a cabinet made up of the other campaign finalists. A talented team of change makers.

 
OHS oregon historical society

Oregon Historical Society: Judges Needed for History Day

OHS is excited to announce that the Oregon History Day competition will take place on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. 

Last year, nearly 300 middle and high school students from across Oregon participated, and a similar number of students are anticipated this year. The students have spent months working on their documentaries, exhibits, papers, performances, and websites, and now they need your help to make this competition a success!

As an Oregon History Day judge, you’ll evaluate projects, conduct interviews with students, provide constructive feedback, and help determine which projects will advance to the national competition. A background in history is not required — just a passion for supporting students and helping them grow. Judges work in teams mixed with both experienced and first-time volunteers, and training will be provided so you will feel prepared and confident when it’s time to evaluate student projects!

Sign-Up to be an Oregon History Day Judge
C-Geo 2

GEOFEST: C-GEO Annual Conference For Teachers

GEO will partner with the Oregon Council for the Social Studies for this year's Geofest. The conference includes a special emphasis on teaching about Climate Change. Additional presentation topics include geo-tech sessions, Tribal History/Shared History, ethnic studies strands, and much more.

Note: In the registration form, be sure to also go to the OCSS link for a special K-12 social studies teachers opportunity to receive a $100 stipend from OCSS for attending GeoFest! 

More info & Register