America’s Field Trip is a nationwide student contest sponsored by America250, the official nonpartisan entity charged by Congress with planning the nation’s Semiquincentennial in 2026, also known as the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. America’s Field Trip invites students in grades 3–12 to be part of this historic milestone by sharing their perspectives on what America means to them — with the chance to earn a once-in-a-lifetime field trip experience at an iconic American landmark or cultural site, including the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, National Archives Museum, Kennedy Space Center, and Yellowstone National Park — just to name a few.
 

• Submission Deadline: April 16, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. ET
• Eligibility: Any student in grades 3–12 who is a legal resident of any of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, or the U.S. territories is eligible to enter. First- and second-prize awardees from the 2024 America’s Field Trip contest, which ended on May 17, 2024 are not eligible to enter or win.
• Requirements: Students at each grade level may create artwork, including physical artwork, that is submitted through a high-res photo, digital drawing, or an essay.
• Judging Criteria: A panel of current and former educators will evaluate submissions based on Clarity of Idea (25%), Student Voice (50%), and Presentation (25%).
• Prizes: 25 first-place awardees from each grade level category and their designated chaperone will receive travel and lodging accommodations for a three-day, two-night trip to a select historical or cultural site. 25 second-place awardees from each grade level category will each receive a $500 cash award. Award recipients will be announced in May 2025, and field trips will take place in July and August 2025.

How to Enter the America’s Field Trip Contest
Students at each grade level will respond to the prompt, “What does America mean to you?” with artwork or an essay. Students must develop submissions individually.

Students must have a teacher, parent, or legal guardian submit their entry through the application portal at America250.org/FieldTrip/Application. A teacher may only submit an entry on behalf of a student with written permission from that student’s parent or legal guardian.

For more information about America’s Field Trip, including official contest rules, 2025 field trip locations, judging criteria, submission thought starters, classroom activities, and Spanish-language resources, please visit America250.org/FieldTrip or scan the QR code.