Our History
Thinking Nation is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization founded in 2018 by Dinah Ruch with the mission to transform social studies education for the future of democracy. The organization aims to empower students to thrive as engaged and critical thinkers, support teachers with meaningful curricula, training, and technology, and ultimately strengthen democracy through education .
Since its inception, Thinking Nation has developed an inquiry-based curriculum for grades 6–12 that emphasizes document-based learning, encouraging students to analyze primary sources, think historically, and write persuasively. The curriculum is designed to be administered both online and in PDF form, allowing flexibility for teachers to assign and teach historical thinking skills virtually or inside the classroom.
As of 2025, Thinking Nation partners with schools across 16 states and the District of Columbia, serving over 35,000 students. The organization collaborates with expert historians to ensure its curriculum aligns with scholarly standards, bridging the gap between secondary education and university-level historical discourse.
In addition to curriculum development, Thinking Nation actively participates in educational conferences and partnerships to promote historical thinking. For instance, in January 2025, the organization led a historical thinking workshop at the National Archives Building for public charter school social studies teachers, emphasizing an inquiry-based approach to learning .
Through its innovative approach to social studies education, Thinking Nation continues to work towards its vision of cultivating thinking citizens equipped with the essential skills to participate in a robust democracy. Support our mission.
