Teacher Professional Development

America 250: Foodways as Pathways

Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026 (9 am - 3 pm)

Cost: Free, attendees receive a $50 stipend

Location: In-person at the Minnesota History Center (St. Paul, MN)

Audience: K-12 teachers

Looking for classroom connections to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence? Join the Minnesota Historical Society and the George Washington Teacher Institute for a day of learning and professional development at the Minnesota History Center. Explore agricultural practices of the revolutionary era through primary sources from George Washington's Mount Vernon. Learn from Derek Nicholas (Red Cliff Band Ojibwe) to make meaningful cross-curricular connections with Minnesota’s indigenous food systems. Gain grade level resources and strategies that connect past to present in meaningful and culturally responsive ways.

Your in-person registration includes:

✔ $50 stipend ✔ Resources for classroom application for both elementary and secondary levels ✔ Coffee & refreshments ✔ Lunch ✔ Parking ✔ Mileage & hotel subsidies for those traveling over 50 miles roundtrip ✔ CEUs (including American Indian History & Culture)

Contact Meghan Davisson (meghan.davisson@mnhs.org) with questions.

Northern Lights Academy

Date: Monday, November 9, 2026 (8:30 am-2:30 pm)
Cost: $70 by 9/4/26, $100 after 9/4/26 Apply for Travel Subsidies
Location: In-person at the Minnesota History Center (St. Paul, MN)
Audience: Teachers using the Northern Lights curriculum

Join us for the annual Northern Lights Academy conference for teachers using the Northern Lights Minnesota Studies curriculum. Learn more about the newly-released Northern Lights Third Edition and attend sessions featuring Minnesota Studies experts and master Northern Lights teachers from across Minnesota. This year, we’ll pack the agenda with activities, strategies, and resources to help you implement the 2021 Academic Standards for Social Studies, as well as a dedicated strand orienting teachers to the new Northern Lights Third Edition.

Your in-person registration includes:

✔ Light breakfast ✔ Lunch ✔ Exhibits Access ✔ History Center Store Voucher ✔ CEUs ✔ Parking

Sessions will align with the Third Edition of Northern Lights. Teachers using the Revised 2nd, 2nd, or 1st editions will also find these sessions useful. Teachers must use the Northern Lights curriculum to register.

Present at Northern Lights Academy

Apply to share your valuable learnings, resources, and strategies at Northern Lights Academy! Sessions presented by practicing Northern Lights teachers, aligning with the 2021 Academic Standards for Social Studies, and centering student engagement will be prioritized. Submit your session proposal before Sept. 30, 2026. Presenters receive free registration for the Northern Lights Academy, as well as any applicable travel subsidies and a stipend.

Learn more and propose your session

Apply for Travel Subsidies

A top priority is ensuring that Northern Lights teachers have the resources to attend in-person regardless of how far they live from the History Center. Reimbursement subsidies are available to support in-person workshop participation. Apply for funding to reimburse substitute, mileage, and hotel costs.

Learn more and apply for subsidies

Contact Kara Knight with questions. Contact Mariajose Cardenas for subsidy questions.

Theme Exploration & Curriculum Collaboration

Dates:

Tuesday, October 6 (8:30 am - 3 pm)
Tuesday, October 27 (8:30 am - 3 pm)

Cost: $70. For each registration, get a second registration free!

Location: Minnesota History Center (St. Paul, MN)

Audience: New and experienced History Day teachers

Learn about Innovation in History with History Day staff and share your own ideas through collaborative activities in the morning. In the afternoon, we will have open discussion time for curriculum planning. Bring your calendars, rubrics, and other History Day lessons.

Your in-person registration includes:

✔ Light breakfast and lunch ✔ CEUs ✔ Parking

Contact Cathy Richter (Cathy.Richter@mnhs.org) with questions.

History Day 101

Date: Tuesday, October 20 (8:30 am - 3 pm)

Cost: $70.

Location: Minnesota History Center (St. Paul, MN)

Audience: New History Day teachers or those looking for a refresher on the basics

History Day 101 addresses the fundamentals of the program. Staff, along with former students and a master teacher, will discuss the program framework and implementation strategies. Participants will leave with a variety of classroom-ready tools to begin implementing History Day in their own schools.

Your in-person registration includes:

✔ Light breakfast and lunch ✔ CEUs ✔ Parking

Contact Cathy Richter (Cathy.Richter@mnhs.org) with questions.

Teacher Education Workshops

America 250: Foodways as Pathways

Northern Lights Academy

History Day Teacher Workshops

Theme Exploration & Curriculum Collaboration

History Day 101

History Day Webinars

Cancellation policy