Here are a few links with more activities, contests, and perspectives to explore on the 250th anniversary of our democracy.
America 250 Field Trip (essay/art contest for grades 3-12 with a chance to win a national field trip - the deadline is on 3/26 )
America 250 Invitation (your thoughts on America’s past, present, or future - play song, share a picture, read a poem...)
America 250 Oath Challenge (veterans can record a one minute video reflecting on their oath and what it means to them)
America 250 Gives (strengthening our culture of volunteering)
More America 250 / Colorado 150 (explore additional events this year)
First Amendment Heroes (submissions for the First Amendment Museum youth art gallery, or try these links to crosswords and word search fun).
Neighborhood University (adult course about our local government, advocacy, consensus building, and solutions)
Register to Vote (ages 15-17 may pre-register, consider forming a school club for the Colorado High School Registration Challenge)
Why do we fall for fake news? (a psychologist provides some insights)
Media literacy infographics (topics include photos, videos, and fact-checking tips, and these Fact-Checking sites)
More for Local Youth (consider programs like school newspapers and debate teams, Girl Scouts Media Stars and Young Reporter, and the Youth Documentary Academy)
Sharing misinformation creates division, outrage, and virality that lines the pockets of social media companies and influencers. Sometimes these campaigns are created or paid for by foreign entities.
Examples range from an early fake news sites, the Denver Guardian, to AI generated fake videos of journalists disparaging Ukraine's athletes at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
AI can even generate large numbers of fake online comments and orchestrated email campaigns targeting decision makers, both of which can distort perceptions of public support.
Here are a few perspectives about reducing divisions from the Reagan Center on Civility and Democracy, the SPLC, and Harvard.
Even businesses are impacted by these divisions. The Edelman Trust Barometer (see video) measures changes in the level of trust each year in business, nonprofits, the news media, and government.
Several organizations, such as More Perfect, are working on ways to connect Americans with each other and with our institutions to rebuild trust. What solutions do you think might be effective? Come talk with us at Free Speech Fest!