Biden School News

Category: IPA

Student-delegates, staff and historians gather for a group photo

UD's Delaware Center for Civics Education Hosts Mock Second Continental Congress

July 18, 2025 Written by Biden School Staff | Photo by Biden School Staff

On June 6, 2025, 60 middle and high school students from across the state gathered at Legislative Hall in Dover for a Mock Second Continental Congress hosted by the Delaware Center for Civics Education (DCCE) at the University’s Institute for Public Administration (IPA). Over the past year, DCCE has led and cosponsored several events to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The Mock Second Continental Congress was cosponsored by DCCE, Delaware Historical Society, the Delaware Department of Education, Delaware 250 and First State Historic Parks. Fran O’Malley, director of DCCE, organized the agenda for the day and worked with Michael Feldman of the Delaware Department of Education to develop and adapt the instructional materials. O’Malley and Feldman then chaired the middle and high school sessions, respectively.

IPA staff and summer fellows from left to right include Marisa Schenkenberger, Fran O'Malley, Michael Feldman, Scarlet Wohlman and Scott Abbott.

The IPA and DDOE team presiding over the events at Legislative Hall in Dover. IPA staff and summer fellows from left to right include Marisa Schenkenberger, Fran O'Malley, Michael Feldman, Scarlet Wohlman and Scott Abbott.

Delaware students raising placards to be recognized by the chair to speak.

Students signing a copy of Richard Henry Lee's resolution in support of independence.

Students representing 22 Delaware schools assumed roles as radicals, moderates and conservatives and prepared arguments focused on five issues that dominated discussions in 1776 as the actual delegates contemplated the momentous break with their mother country. During the proceedings, students practiced parliamentary procedures, met in caucuses to coordinate strategies, entertained and debated various motions, including one for independence, and had the opportunity to sign a poster-sized copy of Richard Henry Lee’s historic resolution. In addition to this event, DCCE hosted a book discussion series for Delaware’s K–12 educators around Pauline Maier’s American Scripture, hosted webinars featuring children’s book authors Anna Crowley (Rescuing the Declaration of Independence) and Ella Schwartz (Her Name Was Mary Katharine) and presentations by historians of the Declaration Richard Bell and Emily Sneff.

Originally posted in UDaily's For the Record.