History Road Trips and Civics & Civics Summit return in 2025

Due to an overwhelming positive response to similar events held in 2023 and 2024, the Department of Education (DOE) invites educators to join us for these professional development opportunities designed to help teachers as they prepare to implement the new social studies standards in the 2025-26 school year.

The Civics & History Summit, to be held June 24-25 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center, will feature keynote speeches from experts in the field, as well as breakout sessions tailored to meet your grade-level social studies curriculum needs. Each session will provide valuable content, resources, activities, and lesson plans that you can implement directly into your classrooms to assist in the implementation of the new South Dakota social studies standards. The Summit will also provide educators an opportunity to review South Dakota Studies Weekly, the K-5 social studies curriculum provided to schools free of charge by the DOE.

On July 14-17, the South Dakota History Road Trip will feature a three-day road trip to explore the rich and diverse history of South Dakota. Each route will lead educators to key locations that play a significant role in the state's history. At each stop, participants will investigate the lives of those who shaped South Dakota's past and continue to impact its present. On the fourth day, participants will gather to discuss ways they can incorporate what they learned into their classrooms.

Registration for both events opens in March.