America250, the official nonpartisan entity charged by Congress with planning the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Semiquincentennial, in collaboration with BNY and America 250 NC, kicked off the second installment of “America’s Field Trip” — a nationwide scholastic contest where students have the opportunity to earn a special behind-the-scenes experience at an iconic American historical and cultural site. Starting today through Wednesday, April 16, 2025, America’s Field Trip invites students in grades 3-12 to submit artwork or a piece of writing to reflect on what America means to them.
Earlier this year, thousands of students from nearly every U.S. state and territory submitted inspiring entries for the inaugural America’s Field Trip contest. During July and August 2024, first-place awardees — including three students from North Carolina — participated in special field trip experiences at the Statue of Liberty, Yellowstone National Park, the National Archives, and more. Three second-place recipients from North Carolina received cash awards.
The 2024 awardees from North Carolina include:
First Place
• Taliesin Robert Allen R., Greensboro, 5th Grade
• Elizabeth B., Winston-Salem, 8th Grade
• Mya F., Raleigh, 11th Grade
Second Place
• Charleston D., Rougemont, Elementary School (Grades 3–5)
• Ethan K., Kernersville, High School (Grades 9–12)
• Abigail P., Winston Salem, High School (Grades 9–12)
The full list of 2024 awardees and their submissions can be found online at america250.org/fieldtrip/awardees.
Watch this video to learn more about the America’s Field Trip contest, and see some of the incredible places awardees visited this summer.
Next summer, 75 first-place awardees and their designated chaperone will be provided airfare, lodging, and access to an unforgettable field trip experience at one of our nation’s select historical and cultural sites across the country. Second-place awardees will receive a $500 cash award. Summer 2025 field trip experiences and partners include:
• Behind-the-scenes tour of the National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center and sleepover at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum in Washington, D.C.
• Exclusive visits to two Washington, DC institutions: a trip into the National Archives Vault on the National Mall and private tour of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo
• Exclusive tour of Monticello in Charlottesville, Virginia and visit to the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.
• Storytelling, history, and commemoration under the stars at Mount Rushmore National Memorial
• Private tours of Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum, the International African American Museum, and the South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston, S.C.
• Exclusive tours of the Alamo in San Antonio and the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin, Texas.
• Backstage tour of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio
• Beyond the ropes tour of Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, Pa.
• Guided visit to Angel Island Immigration Station and candlelight tour of Fort Point at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Calif.
• Private guided tour of Yellowstone National Park in Montana and Wyoming
• Ranger-led hikes and tours of the cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado
• Private tour of the Kennedy Space Center in Florida
The full list and descriptions of 2025 Field Trips are available HERE.
“America’s 250th anniversary is an opportunity for everyone to share their stories, their thoughts on the past, and their hopes and dreams for the future — especially our young people,” said America250 Chair, Rosie Rios. “America’s Field Trip is more than just a contest; it’s an investment in our country’s future. When we provide students with special opportunities to explore our nation's iconic landmarks, we're not just creating incredible memories; we're fostering a deeper understanding of our shared history and values. These experiences will inspire the next generation of leaders to build a stronger, more united America.”
“Students represent the voices of future leaders and innovators, and we want to hear their voices,” said North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Reid Wilson. “On behalf of our agency team leading the America 250 NC commemoration planning, we encourage all North Carolina students to engage in the America’s Field Trip contest.”
“BNY is excited to continue our partnership with America250 and support this exceptional opportunity for young people to explore the accomplishments and potential of our nation,” said Jayee Koffey, Global Head of Enterprise Execution and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer for BNY. “Students are the architects of tomorrow and we believe America’s Field Trip will inspire the next generation to continue our nation’s long history of innovation.”
America250 has also partnered with edtech leader Discovery Education to develop customized educational resources including lesson plans and student activities that empower educators to bring America's 250th anniversary into their classrooms. New for the 2024-2025 school year, an educator-facing instructional video from Discovery Education is designed to help teachers align the contest prompt, “What does America mean to you,” with standards frameworks.
“America’s Field Trip is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for students to step out of the classroom and into the heart of our nation’s history and culture,” said Amy Nakamoto, General Manager of Corporate Partnerships at Discovery Education Experience. “As we approach this important milestone, we are excited to work with America250 and BNY to spark curiosity and bring this national contest to life for students nationwide.”
How to Participate in America’s Field Trip
Students must develop their submissions individually and must have a teacher, parent, or legal guardian submit on their behalf. Students at each grade level will respond to the question, “What does America mean to you?” Students, families, and teachers can find more information, including resources, contest rules, release forms, and toolkit materials to integrate the contest into classroom activities at america250.org/FieldTrip.
The contest has different submission requirements for each grade band and is available to any student in elementary school (third to fifth grade), middle school (sixth to eighth grade), and high school (ninth to twelfth grade). The contest will remain open until 5 p.m., April 16, 2025. First- and second-place award recipients will be announced in May 2025, and field trips will occur in July and August 2025.
Educators can help spread the word about America’s Field Trip for the chance to win a cash award! The educator associated with the top-scoring entry in each grade band will each receive a $1,000 cash award.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Contest begins 12 a.m. ET on Sept. 16 and ends 5 p.m. ET on April 16, 2025. Open to U.S. students (3rd – 12th grade); student’s parent/legal guardian or teacher with parental permission must submit entry on student’s behalf (unless student is the age of majority). Submission includes grant of license rights to entry’s content. First Prize awardees must travel with parent/legal guardian on designated dates. See Official Rules for full details including how to enter, eligibility requirements, prize description/restrictions and judging procedure. Void where prohibited.
About America250
America250 is a nonpartisan initiative working to engage every American in celebrating and commemorating the Semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It is spearheaded by the congressionally appointed U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission and its sole-supporting nonprofit organization, America250.org, Inc., together known as America250. This multi-year effort kicked off with America’s Invitation on July 4, 2023: a national public engagement campaign inviting all Americans to share their stories and their hopes and dreams for the future of this country. Leading up to July 4, 2026, America250 is working to provide opportunities for all Americans to pause and reflect on our nation’s past, honor the contributions of all Americans, and look to the future we want to create for the next generation and beyond. To learn more, visit America250.org, and follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
About BNY
BNY is a global financial services company that helps make money work for the world – managing it, moving it and keeping it safe. For 240 years BNY has partnered alongside clients, putting its expertise and platforms to work to help them achieve their ambitions. Today BNY helps over 90% of Fortune 100 companies and nearly all the top 100 banks globally to access the money they need. BNY supports governments in funding local projects and works with over 90% of the top 100 pension plans to safeguard investments for millions of individuals, and so much more. As of June 30, 2024, BNY oversees $49.5 trillion in assets under custody and/or administration and $2.0 trillion in assets under management.
BNY is the corporate brand of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE: BK). Headquartered in New York City, BNY employs over 50,000 people globally and has been named among Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies and Fast Company’s Best Workplaces for Innovators. Additional information is available on www.bny.com. Follow on LinkedIn or visit the BNY Newsroom for the latest company news.
1Funding provided by The Bank of New York Mellon Foundation.
About Discovery Education
Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art digital platform supports learning wherever it takes place. Through its award-winning multimedia content, instructional supports, innovative classroom tools, and corporate partnerships, Discovery Education helps educators deliver equitable learning experiences engaging all students and supporting higher academic achievement on a global scale. Discovery Education serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 100 countries and territories. Inspired by the global media company Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. Discovery Education partners with districts, states, and trusted organizations to empower teachers with leading edtech solutions that support the success of all learners. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.