In this activity, you’ll build a **digital time capsule** to celebrate the United States’ **250th anniversary (1776–2026)**.
You will:
- Choose a future date (after 2026) to “open” your capsule
- Share what life is like for you in 2026
- Include artifacts (photos/videos/files) like a real time capsule
- Reflect on your classroom, community, and the U.S. at 250
Do your best to be specific—future students will learn about 2026 from what you include.
Teachers: Want to win a real time capsule kit for your classroom? Head over to Newsela to learn how and enter for a chance to win!
Digital Time Capsule (America at 250) — Setup
When should this time capsule be opened?
Choose the option that best matches your plan.
Write the year your time capsule should be opened (must be after 2026).
Optional support: If you're not sure, pick one of these years: 2030, 2036, 2050.
Me in 2026 → Me in the Future
Describe what your life is like right now (in 2026). Include details someone in the future would want to know.
Optional supports (choose any):
My age/grade is…
A normal day for me looks like…
I spend a lot of time…
Something I’m proud of…
Something I’m working on…
Add one artifact from your life in 2026 (photo, screenshot, short video, drawing, document, etc.). Then explain what it is and why it belongs in a time capsule.
Optional supports:
This artifact is…
I chose it because…
It shows that in 2026 people/students…
In the future, I want someone to notice…
Community Then/Now (Classroom + Local)
Describe your classroom, school, or learning space in 2026 so someone in the future can picture it.
Optional supports (choose any):
The room looks/sounds like…
Our class routines include…
We use (tools/technology/materials)…
One classroom rule or norm is…
Something that makes our class unique is…
Which part of your community do you want your time capsule to represent most?
Which details would help someone in the future understand your community in 2026? (Select two.)
Name one place in your community you think will still matter in the opening year (example: a park, a school, a landmark, a community center).
Add an artifact that shows something about your community in 2026 (photo, screenshot, short video, document, flyer, menu, map, schedule, etc.). Then explain what it shows and why it matters.
Optional supports:
This artifact shows…
I chose it because…
It tells you that in 2026, my community…
I wonder if in the future…
In one word or short phrase, what do you think the U.S. should be known for in the future?
Match each U.S. civic idea to the best description.
| Stavka koja se može prevući | arrow_right_alt | Odgovarajuća stavka |
|---|---|---|
Voting | arrow_right_alt | Share opinions without punishment (limits apply) |
Rule of law | arrow_right_alt | Choose leaders or decide issues |
Checks and balances | arrow_right_alt | Laws apply to everyone |
Freedom of speech | arrow_right_alt | Branches limit each other’s power |
Pick one civic idea from the matching question (or another you know) and explain:
What it means in your own words
One example of where you see it (or don’t see it) in real life in 2026 (school, community, or U.S.)
Optional supports:
I chose…
It means…
An example is…
This matters because…
U.S. at 250 Artifact (Upload + Explain)
Upload an artifact that represents something important about the United States in 2026.
Examples (choose one): a photo you took, a screenshot of a headline, a poster/flyer, a song/playlist cover, a meme (school-appropriate), a graph or chart, a short video clip, or a document.
Then explain:
What the artifact is
What it shows about the U.S. in 2026
Why you chose it for a time capsule
Optional supports:
This artifact is…
It shows…
People in 2026 are…
I want future students to notice…
Artifacts of 2026 — What should be included?
Which items would be strong artifacts for a time capsule because they show what life is like in 2026? (Select two.)
Upload Artifact #1: Everyday Life (photo, screenshot, short video, drawing, or file).
Choose something that shows an everyday part of life in 2026 (school, hobbies, food, music, technology, transportation, etc.).
Then explain:
What it is
What it shows about daily life in 2026
Why a future student would find it interesting
Which caption best helps a future student understand an artifact from 2026?
Upload Artifact #2: Change Over Time (photo, screenshot, short video, drawing, or file).
Choose something that shows what is changing (or staying the same) in your life, your community, or the U.S. in 2026.
Then explain:
What change (or continuity) it shows
Why that matters
One prediction about what it might look like in your opening year
Letter to the Future
Write a letter to someone opening this time capsule.
Include:
Who you are in 2026
What you want them to understand about your life/school/community
One hope you have for the future
Optional supports:
Dear future student/me,…
In 2026, my life is…
Something you should know is…
I hope that by the time you read this…
Which prediction is the most helpful for a time capsule because it explains why you think it might happen?
My Predictions (Opening Year)
Look back at the opening year you chose. Make 3 predictions about what might be the same and what might be different.
Include:
1 prediction about your life/school
1 prediction about your community
1 prediction about the United States
For each prediction, add a short “because…” reason.
Seal the Time Capsule (Final Check)
Which items should you double-check before you “seal” your digital time capsule? (Select two.)