Democracy Project at IPA

Institute for Public Administration

Learn more about DCCE at IPA

Contact Us

Fran O'Malley
Project Director

fomalley@udel.edu

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Portrait of the Democracy Project 2022 scholars with their certificates of completion, posing with Secretary of State Jeff Bullock and Governor John Carney

The 2022 Democracy Project Scholars celebrate the completion of the program with with Secretary of State Jeff Bullock and Governor John Carney.

Institute for Teachers

The Democracy Project Institute for Teachers brings together teachers (K-12) and leaders in government and education to discuss the importance of civic participation for the future of our democratic society and collaborate on ways to inspire active youth citizenship.

Teachers will have the opportunity to:

Deepen your understanding of Delaware and national civics standards
Engage in extended discussions with Delaware’s elected and appointed officials
Collaborate with other educators to develop innovative and interactive teaching strategies aimed at inspiring students to become involved in civic life
Explore effective ways to discuss and teach about the upcoming elections

The Institute is designed to improve the teaching and learning of civics by enhancing participants content knowledge, resources, and instructional and assessment practices.

Democracy Project 2016 scholars stand outside in Washington, D.C., in front of the Capitol Building

Democracy Project 2025: Transitions, Traditions, and Trips

The Democracy Project Summer Institute for Teachers will be held in person on June 16, 17, 18, and 20, 2025, with a special theme of "Transitions, Traditions, and Trips."

The Democracy Project Institute for Teachers brings together educators, candidates, and policymakers to discuss the importance of civic participation for sustaining the health of the American political system and to collaborate on developing the knowledge, skills, and dispositions students need to engage constructively in civic life.

I love the incorporation of state history because students do not get enough of that. I also love that they have brought in state leaders. [The content] is information that we can bring directly back to our kids.
- Nicole Hughes, MOT Charter School 2023 Democracy Project Scholar

Highlights from Past Institutes

In August, eighteen Delaware educators gathered at the UD STAR Campus for the first session of Civics that Empowers All Students (CEAS). On the last day of the program, educators gathered for a photo displaying their newly awarded certificates of completion.

Civic education

On the second day of the Democracy Project Summer Institute, Delaware Gov. John Carney discussed his connection to civics education and recommended several books that educators can access to further inform their lesson planning.

Elevating civics education

UD Democracy Project provides civics and history support for Delaware’s fourth grade educators as state shifts standards

Boosting civics knowledge

I like the fact that our government officials see the importance of the Democracy Project, dedicating time to engage with us in conversations and … put resources behind this project. They see the importance of civics education.
- Joseph Flamer, Smyrna Middle School 2023 Democracy Project Scholar