Arkansas educators are invited to join the ArkansasIDEAS Celebrates America250 Professional Development Challenge — a year-long opportunity to grow professionally while honoring our nation’s 250th anniversary. This celebration integrates Arkansas history and interdisciplinary learning through professional development for our educators.
Each month, from now to June 4, 2026, educators are encouraged to take different courses that align with the monthly Arkansas Celebrates America250 themes. These highlighted themes connect audiences to the people, places, and ideas that shape our state and its role in America’s story.
To participate, educators must complete the following list of courses on ArkansasIDEAS and LinkedIn Learning. The challenge is open to licensed and non-licensed K–12 educators in Arkansas.
Join hundreds of Arkansas educators who are embracing new learning opportunities and making a difference. Download the attached flyer—it's easy to print and perfect for sharing with your co-workers and fellow educators. Learning never looked so rewarding!
How It Works:
- Log in to ArkansasIDEAS.org and click on the ArkansasIDEAS Celebrates America250 PD Challenge on the dashboard.
- Participants must complete each monthly campaign course listed. Some months offer more than one course to choose from.
- If a course is already completed, that’s a head start!
- Courses may be completed in any order.
- Upload required LinkedIn Learning certificates at the bottom of the page.
- Fill out the accompanying form with contact information. This step must be completed to be considered a participant in the competition.
- We’ll verify completion and enter participants into the drawing for recognition and prizes!
Courses and Themes
| MONTH | THEME | COURSE | CID | CREDIT HOURS |
| August | STEM: Natural state wonders | Participants take 1 (one) of the following from Arkansas: A Six Region Journey: | ||
| Ozark Plateau | SOA14038 | 1 | ||
| Arkansas River Valley | SOA14039 | 1 | ||
| Ouachita Mountains | SOA14040 | 1 | ||
| Gulf Coastal Plain | SOA14041 | 1 | ||
| Mississippi Alluvial Plain | SOA14042 | 1 | ||
| Crowley's Ridge | SOA14043 | 1 | ||
| September | Humanities: Arkansas and the American Journey | Making Civics Real: Civic Engagement | SOE14050 | 1 |
| October | Humanities: Foundations of Arkansas | Arkansas's First People: Nations | SOA14027 | 0.5 |
| November | Humanities: Honoring Arkansas's Military Legacy & Heroes | Fostering Positive Educational Transitions for Children of Military Families | PIC23021 | 1 |
| December | Humanities: Arkansas's Traditions & Artistic Contributions | Music in Arkansas: Origins | AHB16030 | 2 |
| January | STEM: Arkansas Innovators | Participants take 1 (one) of the following from Men and Women of Distinction: | ||
| Men and Women of Distinction: Mary Lowe Good, Ph.D. | AHA20046 | 0.5 | ||
| Men and Women of Distinction: Gene L. Hatfield | AHA20048 | 1 | ||
| Men and Women of Distinction: Francis McBeth | AHA20050 | 0.5 | ||
| Men and Women of Distinction: Miller Williams | AHA20055 | 0.5 | ||
| February | Humanities: Building Pathways | Participants take 1 (one) of the following: | ||
| Portraits of Courage: The Story of Women’s Suffrage in Arkansas | AHB20008 | 1.5 | ||
| Hoxie – The First Stand | AHA15067 | 1.5 | ||
| March | STEM: Arkansas Agricultural Legacy | Agri Arkansas – Agri Economics | AHA15072 | 0.5 |
| April | STEM: Stewardship of the Land and Outdoor Traditions | The Buffalo Flows | SOG14044 | 1.5 |
| May | STEM: Arkansas Future | Participants take 1 (one) of the following LinkedIn Learning courses: | ||
| How to Make Innovative Thinking a Habit | ||||
| Engineering the Future: The Revolutionary World of Robotics | ||||
| Cybersecurity at Work |