Remake Learning has a new working group: the Civic Learning Ecosystem is coordinating a regional effort to redefine civic education.
Like other working groups powered by Remake Learning, the Civic Learning Ecosystem will foster a vibrant community, curate impactful events, and offer catalytic support to spur equitable learning innovation.
History Co:Lab, a nonprofit organization based in Newton, MA, is Remake Learning’s partner in this effort and Tess Benoit, History Co:Lab’s Lead for Products & Partnerships, will be co-leading the working group along with local coordinator Stephanie Lewis. We caught up with Tess to learn more about her, History Co:Lab, and what to expect for the new working group.
Hey, while you’re here: Join us at the Civic Learning Ecosystem Launch Reception on Tuesday, April 2nd at 6:00pm at The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh.
Now on with the interview:
Welcome to the Remake Learning network! Tell us a little about yourself and History Co:Lab.
Hello! I’m Tess Benoit and my journey into civic learning began with a transformative experience at a local museum when I was in high school. I was giving a tour and realized that studying and talking about the past not only made me a better student but was helping me to build productive, meaningful relationships and bridge divides with museum visitors. It was a revelation that shaped my future, guiding me to the path I tread today at History Co:Lab.
The History Co:Lab is an intergenerational impact collective, dedicated to reimagining the educational landscape. We co-create learning experiences and catalyze communities in collaboration with partners like Remake Learning, to transform learning and community engagement.
What is civic learning? What drives your focus on civic learning?
We think of civic learning broadly: anything and everything that helps young people thrive and find belonging, curiosity, and agency in their community.
Of course, it’s about core knowledge around the ideas and systems of democracy–that is as essential as ever. But it’s also about ensuring young people are in a mindset and headspace to care and take action.
For us, civic learning begins with a sense of identity, belonging, and curiosity, because those are core building blocks of development. Then it is about helping young people be curious about the world, encouraging them to ask questions, to explore why things are the way they are and how they could make them better. The fact of the matter is, that unless teens are curious and feel connected, they can’t get excited to learn or feel like they have power.
Civic learning is also about community. To grow up inspired to act, young people have to have experiences and relationships that help them develop a feeling of being seen as a valued member of their community–that seeds their personal commitment to participating and giving back. For civic learning to work, adults need to see young people as individuals with ideas, with passion, with questions, and with power!
Finally, civic learning is about pedagogy that works. We now know a lot more about how young people learn than we used to, and we know that play, projects, people, and place matter a lot to make learning stick. We have partnered with the LEGO Foundation and have a whole design team focused on play: we know that playful learning triggers all the right parts of the brain and body to help young people learn and get excited to contribute.
Why does civic learning matter? How does it fit into the mix of what we’re already asking students to learn and educators to teach?
In this moment of history, democracy worldwide is at real risk. Findings of the 2024 BTI Transformation Index showed that, of the 137 countries surveyed, the majority now have autocratic regimes. People living in democracies seem to overlook how fragile the system is. But the world is changing fast, and without civic learning, people may feel unprepared to navigate some of our greatest challenges.
An absence of civic learning contributes to feelings of powerlessness, leading to increased anxiety, depression, and aggression towards others. This trend is at the heart of the mental health epidemic and the rise of xenophobia and racism. Despite its importance, civics has been systematically devalued by an education system focused only on a limited set of learning metrics. For the last decades, no school was measured by whether its young people graduated ready to engage in democracy.
How does it fit into the mix of what we are doing today? It’s not about adding a new subject or even necessarily a huge amount of new content and information. It’s primarily about embracing a youth-centered approach to education that values relationships and experiences. This can be woven into any subject: history, English language arts, science, art, sports…truly, anything.
What’s the Civic Learning Ecosystem all about? What are you setting out to do in the Pittsburgh region?
The Civic Learning Ecosystem is about creating a web of people and institutions that deeply care about transforming and invigorating civic education within the Pittsburgh region. Amazing efforts are going on all across the region that have not yet been connected. We want to weave threads between them and collaboratively craft a system that ensures that no child in our region grows up without a deep sense of feeling loved, powerful, and inspired. We are very serious about wanting to engage young people as leaders of this work.
In essence, the Civic Learning Ecosystem is setting the stage for a future where civic education transcends traditional boundaries, becoming a cornerstone of our collective community life. It’s about creating a place where innovation meets equity, where every voice is valued and where every young individual can see themselves as an integral part of their community and the broader world.
How can people get involved in the Civic Learning Ecosystem?
Getting involved is simple—contact me at tess@thehistorycolab.org or Remake Learning’s Director of Relationships, Stephanie Lewis, at stephanie@remakelearning.org to learn how to become a part of this work. You can also subscribe to Remake Learning’s newsletter to learn about and engage in upcoming events, workshops, and collaborative activities happening in the Pittsburgh region.
Joining the Civic Learning Ecosystem offers a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of redefining civic education. Whether you’re an individual passionate about civic engagement or an organization looking to make a significant impact, there’s a place for you in this vibrant community. We thrive on the contributions of our members—educators who bring learning to life, community leaders who guide with wisdom, and all those committed to fostering an informed, engaged, and inclusive society.
Together, we can transform the landscape of learning and community engagement, paving the way for a future where every individual is equipped to contribute meaningfully to the tapestry of our shared history and collective future.