Close Up hosts and takes part in a variety of civic engagement events, both in person and online, to help students and teachers discuss policy issues and connect with members of our nationwide community. These discussions, deliberations, and presentations allow participants to hear different perspectives from experts and each other, and consider new approaches to engaging with current issues.
From Classrooms to Careers: How AI is Shaping Our Paths
December 3-6, 2025 | Houston, Texas
Join Close Up, the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), and the Stanford University Deliberative Democracy Lab in Houston this December for From Classrooms to Careers: How AI is Shaping Our Paths! This NextGen Roundtable national deliberation will help high school students critically examine the role of AI in the lives of today’s young people, build deliberation and facilitation skills, and gain an understanding of how they can put those skills to use back at school. An accompanying faculty advisor must attend the NAIS Symposium on AI and the Future of Learning, which will be held concurrently in Houston.
Close Up at NCSS
December 5-7, 2025 | Washington, D.C.
Will you be in Washington, D.C., from December 5-7 at the National Council for the Social Studies Annual Conference? So will Close Up! Come see us in booth #632 to learn what we’re up to, from student programs and professional development to the brand-new Civil Discourse Credential.
Close Up Civil Discourse Credential: October Pilot Cohort Session
December 9, 2025 | 7:00pm ET
Join Close Up instructional coaches and curriculum designers for this monthly online meeting of educators who took part in the Civil Discourse Credential Educator Certification Pilot Program Training Institute in October 2025. Use this 60-minute session to offer informal feedback on how credential implementation is going in your classroom, receive additional training support, and share your experience with your fellow educators nationwide.
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Close Up Civil Discourse Credential: July Pilot Cohort Session
December 10, 2025 | 7:00pm ET
Join Close Up instructional coaches and curriculum designers for this monthly online meeting of educators who took part in the Civil Discourse Credential Educator Certification Pilot Program Training Institute in July 2025. Use this 60-minute session to offer informal feedback on how credential implementation is going in your classroom, receive additional training support, and share your experience with your fellow educators nationwide.
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Close Up Civil Discourse Credential: Pilot Cohort Session
January 6, 2026 | 7:00pm ET
Join Close Up instructional coaches and curriculum designers for this monthly online meeting of educators who took part in the Civil Discourse Credential Educator Certification Pilot Program Training Institute. Use this 60-minute session to offer informal feedback on how credential implementation is going in your classroom, receive additional training support, and share your experience with your fellow educators nationwide.
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Close Up Civil Discourse Credential: Pilot Cohort Session
January 21, 2026 | 7:00pm ET
Join Close Up instructional coaches and curriculum designers for this monthly online meeting of educators who took part in the Civil Discourse Credential Educator Certification Pilot Program Training Institute. Use this 60-minute session to offer informal feedback on how credential implementation is going in your classroom, receive additional training support, and share your experience with your fellow educators nationwide.
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NAIS Student Civic Leadership Summit
January 27-30, 2026 | Washington, D.C.
We invite high school students with an interest in civic action and community engagement to join us for the NAIS Student Civic Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C.! Through engagement with experts and collaborative inquiry into pressing national issues, you will consider your individual and collective responsibilities and agency, identify best practices in community engagement, and develop vision statements and strategies to make a difference in your own communities. A faculty adviser must attend the concurrent NNSP Annual Conference to gain critical insights to support students with their projects when they return home.
Close Up Civil Discourse Credential: Pilot Cohort Session
February 10, 2026 | 7:00pm ET
Join Close Up instructional coaches and curriculum designers for this monthly online meeting of educators who took part in the Civil Discourse Credential Educator Certification Pilot Program Training Institute. Use this 60-minute session to offer informal feedback on how credential implementation is going in your classroom, receive additional training support, and share your experience with your fellow educators nationwide.
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Close Up Civil Discourse Credential: Pilot Cohort Session
February 25, 2026 | 7:00pm ET
Join Close Up instructional coaches and curriculum designers for this monthly online meeting of educators who took part in the Civil Discourse Credential Educator Certification Pilot Program Training Institute. Use this 60-minute session to offer informal feedback on how credential implementation is going in your classroom, receive additional training support, and share your experience with your fellow educators nationwide.
LEARN MORE >
Close Up Civil Discourse Credential: Pilot Cohort Session
March 10, 2026 | 7:00pm ET
Join Close Up instructional coaches and curriculum designers for this monthly online meeting of educators who took part in the Civil Discourse Credential Educator Certification Pilot Program Training Institute. Use this 60-minute session to offer informal feedback on how credential implementation is going in your classroom, receive additional training support, and share your experience with your fellow educators nationwide.
LEARN MORE >
Close Up Civil Discourse Credential: Pilot Cohort Session
March 25, 2026 | 7:00pm ET
Join Close Up instructional coaches and curriculum designers for this monthly online meeting of educators who took part in the Civil Discourse Credential Educator Certification Pilot Program Training Institute. Use this 60-minute session to offer informal feedback on how credential implementation is going in your classroom, receive additional training support, and share your experience with your fellow educators nationwide.
LEARN MORE >
Close Up Civil Discourse Credential: Pilot Cohort Session
April 7, 2026 | 7:00pm ET
Join Close Up instructional coaches and curriculum designers for this monthly online meeting of educators who took part in the Civil Discourse Credential Educator Certification Pilot Program Training Institute. Use this 60-minute session to offer informal feedback on how credential implementation is going in your classroom, receive additional training support, and share your experience with your fellow educators nationwide.
LEARN MORE >
Close Up Civil Discourse Credential: Pilot Cohort Session
April 22, 2026 | 7:00pm ET
Join Close Up instructional coaches and curriculum designers for this monthly online meeting of educators who took part in the Civil Discourse Credential Educator Certification Pilot Program Training Institute. Use this 60-minute session to offer informal feedback on how credential implementation is going in your classroom, receive additional training support, and share your experience with your fellow educators nationwide.
LEARN MORE >
Close Up Civil Discourse Credential: Pilot Cohort Session
May 20, 2026 | 7:00pm ET
Join Close Up instructional coaches and curriculum designers for this final online meeting of educators who took part in the Civil Discourse Credential Educator Certification Pilot Program Training Institute. Use this 60-minute session to wrap up and offer final feedback on how credential implementation went in your classroom and share your experience with your fellow educators nationwide.
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