Healey-Driscoll Administration Hosts Civics Project Showcases Across Massachusetts

Healey-Driscoll Administration Hosts Civics Project Showcases Across Massachusetts 865 students from 61 districts participated at events in Dartmouth, Springfield, Worcester, Boston      BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration hosted four Massachusetts Civics Project Showcases in collaboration with Generation Citizen between May 27 and June 6 in Boston, Worcester, Springfield and Dartmouth. At these regional “science fairs for civics,” students from 61 districts shared real-world action they are taking on community issues such as teen mental health, road safety, housing and homelessness, and educational equity. These events provide students with the opportunity to share their civics projects with local community advisors and each other, receive feedback on their work, and be recognized for their civic engagement. “Civics Project Showcases are a great opportunity for students to meet their peers from other communities and share their passions with each other,” saidGovernor Maura Healey. “These students identified issues and presented solutions, and I’m grateful we are able to provide a forum for them to learn from one another.”  “We are so proud of these students, who have built awareness of challenges within their local communities and identified potential solutions,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “I’m excited to see them all continue to grow as leaders and make real change for their friends, families and entire communities.” Approximately 865 students in total participated in the 2025 showcases. 21 schools were represented at UMass Dartmouth on May 27, 21 schools at the MassMutual Center in Springfield on May 28, 34 at the DCU Center in Worcester on June 2, and 41 at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute on June 6. “Learning about community issues others are passionate about and taking action on inequities is part of being a member of society,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler, who attended the Boston showcase at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute and participated in a panel discussion facilitated by student Karina Moya of Everett High School on youth civic engagement. “I am inspired by these young residents of the Commonwealth, their level of awareness within their communities and their desire to take action.” The Massachusetts Civics Project Showcases began in 2023. At each Showcase, volunteer community advisors have short conversations with students about their projects, asking questions and offering feedback based on their own expertise. Given the wide range in project topics, advisors come from a diversity of backgrounds: community organizers, legislators, business and non-profit leaders, educators, healthcare workers, and more. Community advisors nominate student-led civics projects for commendations, which represent exemplary projects. The 2024 civics project commendations are available online. “I am always inspired by these showcases because they show how much students care about what’s going on in their communities and about learning how to try to make change to improve their community. That’s what this is all about,” said Dave Buchanan, who served as a community advisor at the 2025 Worcester Showcase and coordinates the Massachusetts Civic Learning Coalition. An Act to promote and enhance civic engagement, approved in 2018, incorporated civics projects into eighth grade and high school. Projects can be done by individuals, small groups, or entire classrooms. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education also supports districts to engage students in civics through their 2018 History and Social Science Frameworks.