Projects

Developed by NC State professors Paula McAvoy and Christy Byrd, Dining with Democracy combines the joy of sharing a meal with the importance of engaging in meaningful discussions about the issues that matter. We believe that gathering around the table for conversation can enlighten, connect, and motivate us to become more informed and active participants in our community.

Dining with Democracy (DwD) is a civic education event where participants have the opportunity to engage in multigenerational discussions about contemporary issues facing the American public. Participants are guided through facilitated, roundtable activities that will allow them to do something fairly rare in today’s political culture: have an open discussion about our differences. At NC State, we host DwD events each year during election season to educate students and the community about local and national concerns.

The Institute of Civic Studies and Learning Democracy (ICSLD) promotes lifelong development of the skills and capacities necessary for democracy. We bring together scholars, civil servants, community activists, and education practitioners who believe democracy is not merely a form of government, but a way of living together where citizens co-create their shared environments. Through research, dialogue, and collaboration, we equip individuals with the knowledge, skills, and passion to actively engage in democratic processes and contribute to the betterment of society.

To honor the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the founding of the United States, North Carolina State University is hosting a professional learning program for middle school teachers called Dissent and Deliberation: Tracing the Legacy of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. This program consists of a weeklong summer seminar and a year-long professional learning program focused on facilitating meaningful classroom discussions about civic engagement, dissent, and deliberation.

The goal of the Middle Grades English Language Arts and Social Studies (MSL) Program is to prepare teachers to effectively educate young adolescents while being responsive to their unique needs, interests and abilities. Students learn how to implement high-quality English language arts and social studies instruction with three major focus areas: digital literacies, inquiry-based learning, and citizenship. Graduates earn licensure for teaching grades six through nine in the English language arts and social studies disciplines.

“Civics Lab: Seeking Common Ground Through Civil Inquiry” is a seminar designed to strengthen the core competencies of the Common Ground Collaborative: oral communication, rational argument, and critical thinking. Students will engage with foundational concepts—such as justice, liberty, and civility—through the study of historical deliberations like the Constitutional Convention, viewing these as foundational moments of scholarly inquiry. Students will also have the opportunity for multigenerational networking through NC ACE.

The Literacy and Community Initiative (LCI), a collaboration between NC State’s College of Education and the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation, partners with community-based organizations to examine and empower youth voices. Our mission is to amplify student voices through student publications, advocacy, and leadership. Our Motto is: Write, Engage, and Lead.

#PassTheMicYouth is a multimedia Extension program that amplifies the voices and experiences of young people, shines a spotlight on youth-led civic and community engagement, and provides practitioners with resources for teaching social impact storytelling.

This initiative will equip 100 North Carolina teen ambassadors with the skills to teach storytelling techniques to their younger peers through a research-based curriculum will foster a sense of belonging, agency, and self-reflection while strengthening collaborative skills essential for college and career readiness. By positioning teens as both learners and educators, the initiative guides participants through the process of identifying issues of public concern—such as mental health or school climate—and transforming those ideas into purposeful civic action.

NC State’s Department of Public Administration is partnering with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to host a nonpartisan civics competition that encourages young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. Participating 6th, 7th and 8th graders will flex their civics knowledge for a chance to win recognition and cash prizes. Finalists will be invited to Washington, D.C. to compete in the National Civics Bee National Championship in Fall 2026.

Students may apply to enter the 2027 National Civics Bee here by February 2, 2027.