1. RESHAPING HISTORY

President Trump has signed an executive order asking the Smithsonian Institution to focus more on what he calls “American greatness” in its exhibits. He says the museums have become too focused on negative stories and should highlight the country’s proudest achievements instead. The Smithsonian, which includes 21 museums and the National Zoo, is partly funded by the government but usually operates independently. Some historians and museum leaders are concerned that the president’s order could limit how museums tell history, especially stories about racism, inequality, or struggles for civil rights. They believe history should include both the good and the bad so people can learn from all of it. This order is part of a bigger plan by President Trump to promote what he calls “patriotic history” ahead of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026. Think about how history is told in museums and why it matters. In a paragraph, explain why it’s important for museums to tell the full story of a country’s past—not just the victories and heroes, but also the challenges and mistakes. Then describe how you would design a museum exhibit that includes both sides of history. What would your exhibit be about, and how would you make sure it helps visitors understand the full picture of what happened?

2. DITCHING DYES

West Virginia has passed a new law that bans seven artificial food dyes and two chemical preservatives from being used in food sold in the state. These dyes are often used to make snacks like candy, cereal, and baked goods look more colorful and appealing—especially to kids. Scientists and health experts say these additives may be linked to hyperactivity in children and other health concerns, including possible cancer risks. The law will also stop schools from serving foods with these dyes starting this fall, and the full ban across the state will take effect in 2028. While the FDA says most of these dyes are safe in small amounts, West Virginia lawmakers and public health experts believe more caution is needed. This move could push food companies to remove these ingredients from products nationwide, just like they already do in some other countries. Think about how food companies use bright colors to attract customers, especially younger people. Now imagine you work for a food company that wants to keep snacks fun and colorful—but also healthy and dye-free. Create a plan for a new snack that uses only natural coloring from fruits, vegetables, or spices (like beet juice for red or turmeric for yellow). Write a short description of your snack, including what it looks like, what it’s made of, and how you would advertise it to show that it’s both fun and safe to eat. Then, design a package or write slogan to go with it!

3. GUILTY OF FRAUD

Charlie Javice, the founder of a company called Frank, has been found guilty of lying to JPMorgan Chase bank to get them to buy her business for $175 million. Frank was supposed to help students apply for college financial aid, and Javice told the bank her company had over four million users. But when the bank tried to contact those users, most of the emails didn’t work. It turned out that Javice had created a fake customer list using computer-generated data and had even paid a professor to help her make it look real. The bank and the government sued her for fraud, and now she could go to prison for a long time. This case shows how important it is to be honest in business and that lying for money can lead to serious consequences. Write a paragraph explaining why honesty is important when starting or running a business. Use Charlie Javice’s story as an example of what can go wrong when someone lies to make a company seem more successful than it is. In your paragraph, describe what happened with the fake customer list and how it fooled JPMorgan Chase. Then, share your thoughts on what lessons other business leaders—and even students—can learn from this case about trust, responsibility, and consequences.

4. GROUP CHAT GONE WRONG

A major government mistake is causing a lot of concern in Washington, D.C. A group chat on an app called Signal—usually used for texting—accidentally included a journalist who was not supposed to see private messages. In those messages, top government officials talked about secret military plans, including the exact time U.S. fighter jets were going to strike a group in Yemen. This information could have put American pilots in danger if the wrong person had seen it. The White House says the messages were not technically “classified,” but many people—including lawmakers and military experts—say the details were still too sensitive to be shared in a normal chat. Now, there’s a lot of arguing over whether this was a serious leak or not, and whether the officials involved should be fired. The event is raising big questions about how government leaders should communicate and how to keep national security information safe. Write a paragraph explaining why it’s important for people in powerful government positions to be careful about how they share information. Use the Signal group chat story as an example of what can go wrong. Then describe one way you think the government could do a better job keeping secret information safe. Be sure to explain why your idea would help prevent a mistake like this from happening again.

5. VANCE VISITS GREENLAND

Vice President J.D. Vance visited Greenland and said Denmark hasn’t done enough to protect or invest in the island, which is part of the Kingdom of Denmark but has its own government. Vance said the U.S. may need to take a stronger role in Greenland’s future and even suggested the U.S. could help Greenland become independent. President Trump has said before that the U.S. should control Greenland because of its location and natural resources. Denmark disagrees and says it has done a lot to support the region. People in Greenland are upset and say the island is not for sale. Many are worried about how the U.S. is handling the situation. The U.S. says it wants to protect the Arctic from threats like Russia and China, but some Greenlanders feel disrespected and pressured by the attention. Imagine you are a student living in Greenland and you just learned about the U.S. government’s interest in taking control of your island. Write a short journal entry from your point of view, explaining how you feel about the visit from Vice President Vance, what worries you about the situation, and what you think should happen next. Use details from the story to support your feelings and ideas.