Deadline to Submit Call for Workshop Proposals is January 5, 2026

2026 Spring
Statewide Conference

March 13, 2026
Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge, Massachusetts

Deadline to Submit Call for Workshop Proposals is
January 5, 2026

Social Studies in a Digital Age: A.I., Media Literacy, and Critical Thinking

With the rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and a constantly evolving digital landscape, this theme addresses the urgent need for social studies teachers to prepare students for the future. It's about leveraging technology while teaching students to be critical consumers of information.

Focus Areas:

- AI in the Classroom: Exploring practical, ethical uses of AI for lesson planning, research, and personalized learning. This includes hands-on workshops for teachers to experiment with new tools.
- Media and Information Literacy: Providing strategies for teaching students how to identify misinformation, evaluate sources, and navigate a complex media environment.
- Digital Citizenship: Discussing the role of social media in civic life, the impact of algorithms, and the importance of responsible online behavior. This helps students understand their rights and responsibilities as digital citizens.

The American Story:
250 Years of Revolution and Resilience

This theme is especially relevant for 2026, which marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. It offers a chance to explore the full scope of American history, from its founding to the present day.

Focus Areas:

- Teaching the Founding: How to teach the complexities of the American Revolution, including the experiences of diverse populations like women, enslaved people, and Indigenous nations.
- Enduring Ideals: Exploring how the core ideals of liberty and equality have evolved and been challenged throughout U.S. history, from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement and beyond.
- Civic Engagement: Highlighting the importance of civic education and encouraging students to participate in democracy. This can include sessions on local civics, voter education, and community activism.

Our upcoming spring conference will follow closely after the 2026 Civic Learning Week and will showcase various programs and activities that honor Civic Learning Week.

A one-day conference of talks, activities, and workshops

Registration rates:
$75.00 individual Non-Members
$50.00 Individual Members and Presenters (Become a Member)

The goal of this event is to bring K-12 Social Studies educators together from across Massachusetts and beyond.

Our goal for this spring’s one-day statewide conference is to bring fellow educators together to explore the myriad ways we, as Social Studies teachers, are making connections between the curriculum and the community. The conference’s objective serves to highlight the creative and exciting methods teachers use to bring our discipline into the lives of students.

The workshops and sessions offered in this conference will give educators a chance to collaborate with their peers and demonstrate how they take Social Studies beyond the classroom. Those collaborative efforts may be with a museum, library, non-profit company, or another classroom in your school. By whatever means you achieve this goal, we at the Massachusetts Council for the Social Studies, along with our many regional partners, look forward to celebrating your successes and promoting your accomplishments, productive citizens, which requires a rich knowledge of their nation’s history.