Florida State University has announced the launch of the FIREWORKS250 initiative, a program designed to strengthen civics and literacy education for fifth-grade students. The initiative is supported by a $2.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
The program, led by the Florida Center for Reading Research (FCRR) and the Institute for Governance and Civics (IGC), aims to provide free professional development for teachers. The goal is to improve teachers’ knowledge of American history and foundational documents while also enhancing their instructional strategies in both civics and literacy.
“Along with commemorating the United States’ Semiquincentennial, our goal is to increase fifth-grade teachers’ knowledge about the country’s founding and the founding documents, while also equipping teachers with the skills to improve both civics and literacy instruction,” said Sharon Koon, Senior Research Associate at FCRR. “Teaching American History and civics to fifth graders using reading strategies significantly enhances both literacy and historical understanding, making it an optimal approach for young learners. Evidence-based literacy strategies, such as explicit vocabulary instruction and comprehension techniques, help students navigate complex historical texts like primary sources or narratives about democratic principles, which in turn fosters critical thinking and civics knowledge.”
Over three years, 180 public school fifth-grade teachers will participate annually in paid professional learning activities funded by the grant. The FIREWORKS250 initiative supports federal goals promoting innovative teaching methods in American history and civics.
The collaboration between FCRR and IGC brings together expertise in reading science and civics education. Teachers will use primary source materials—including the Declaration of Independence and Constitution—and resources from organizations such as the National Constitution Center to develop engaging lessons aligned with Florida’s grade 5 civics standards.
Key elements of FIREWORKS250 include online seminars called “FIREWORKS250 Chats,” which integrate evidence-based reading approaches with historical content; a Revolutionary Writers Essay Contest that encourages student participation through essays supported by podcasts featuring AI-generated historical figures; and an annual three-day teacher symposium at Florida State University focused on America’s founding principles.
Teachers interested in joining can register now for FIREWORKS250, which begins January 2026. Registration closes December 15, 2025. The first 180 registrants are eligible for stipends up to $1,500. All other educators will have free access to program content starting January 2026.
For more information about FIREWORKS250, visit the FCRR website.
