Lesson Plan Challenge 2025-26

We’re inviting educators, aspiring educators, and post-secondary faculty to participate in creating an innovative lesson plan using the California Cradle-to-Career Data System Student Pathways Data Story to guide the next generation in making informed decisions. 

Your contribution will play a vital role in reaching and educating the next generation of students to interpret education and career pathways data and insights, build data literacy skills, while centering student experience in exploring data.

California Cradle-to-Career Data System flyer promoting its Lesson Plan Challenge. Headline text: “Attention all Educators!” Subheading: “Design an engaging lesson plan that empowers students to explore education and career pathways with the Cradle-to-Career Student Pathways Data Story.” Who can participate? Educators & Faculty, Teachers in Training, Education Practitioners, and Future Pathwayfinders The Challenge: Design a 45-60 minute lesson plan that: Sparks curiosity & keeps students engaged Incorporates the Student Pathways Data Story Makes learning interactive and meaningful The Prize: All participants receive: A certificate of recognition A pathfinder badge Opportunities to connect with other Pathfinders statewide Winners will also: Be featured on the C2C website Have their lesson plan added to C2C’s resources Get the chance to present before state education leaders in Sacramento and at regional events The flyer includes a QR code linking to C2C’s Community Conversation: https://c2c.ca.gov/meetings/community-conversation-lesson-plan-challenge/ with the text “Register for the Community Conversation September 24, 2025”

Resources

Help us promote the upcoming September 24 Community Conversation! Download promotional content here.

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  • Launch: September 24, 2025
  • Informational Session 1: November 6 , 2025
  • Informational Session 2: January 2026 – TBD
  • Information Session 3: February 2026 – TBD 
  • Final Submission Deadline:  March 16, 2026
  • Winners Announcements: Summer 2026

Participants must submit their lesson plan by March 16, 2026.

  • Only one submission per individual

*Participants can use the provided Lesson Plan Template or their own.

Submissions are accepted in  one of the following categories:

  • Middle school and high school educators (grade 5-12) and school leaders 
  • Post-secondary level (college faculty)
  • Educators in training (students in TC/credentialing programs)

*Other education practitioners can participate

All participants will receive:

  • A certificate of recognition
  • A Pathfinder badge
  • Opportunities to connect Pathfinders statewide

The top three lesson plan winners will:

  • Be featured on the C2C website
  • Have their lesson plan added to C2C’s resources
  • Get the chance to present before state education leaders in Sacramento and at regional events