A crowd of people seated in a large, formal legislative chamber replicated after the U.S. Senate Chamber, listening to a woman speaking at a podium on the right side of the image.

Our Democracy in Action

The Massachusetts Center for Civic Education offers educational programs that give students and community members the knowledge, skills, and real-world experiences needed to participate meaningfully in civic life.

Through interactive curriculum, hands-on projects, and public showcases, our programs help learners understand how government works and how they can make a difference in their communities.

MACCE proudly supports three core programs, including the Citizen Lyceum, Project Citizen, and We the People.

  • Building Civic Understanding

    Citizen Lyceum is MACCE’s newest initiative, designed to make civic learning accessible to people beyond the traditional K–12 classroom. This program offers engaging workshops, speaker events, and community learning opportunities focused on constitutional principles, government processes, and the responsibilities of citizenship.

    Citizen Lyceum brings together educators, community leaders, and the public to deepen civic knowledge, strengthen community dialogue, and promote lifelong civic engagement.

    Ideal for:

    Community groups, adult learners, local leaders, and anyone interested in strengthening their civic literacy.

  • Where Students Become Policymakers

    Project Citizen is a hands-on, project-based civic learning program that empowers students to identify real issues in their schools or communities and develop tangible public policy solutions. Working collaboratively, students research the problem, evaluate options, propose solutions, and present their findings in a statewide showcase.

    The program teaches critical thinking, teamwork, public speaking, and an authentic understanding of how public policy is created and implemented. Students don’t just learn about government—they practice participating in it.

    Ideal for:

    Upper elementary, and middle school students.

  • Foundational Knowledge of American Government

    We the People is a nationally recognized curriculum that strengthens students’ understanding of the U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights, and fundamental principles of American democracy. Through in-depth study and simulated congressional hearings, students demonstrate their mastery of constitutional concepts while practicing civil discourse, evidence-based reasoning, and respectful engagement.

    Since 1987, We the People has reached thousands of Massachusetts students and continues to be a cornerstone of civic education across the Commonwealth.

    Ideal for:

    High school students; competitive teams; extracurricular civic programs.