Calling all middle school students!
Share your ideas and flex your civics knowledge in the National Civics Bee®.
The National Civics Bee is an annual competition designed to inspire middle school students to engage in civic knowledge and participate in their communities. Organized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the competition encourages students in grades six through eight to write essays on important civic topics to promote a deeper understanding of civics and government.
For the first time ever, the National Civics Bee is coming to North Dakota and the FMWF Chamber is proud to support this nationwide program by serving as a local partner.
HOW IT WORKS
Students have until Feb. 4, 2025, to submit essays to The National Civics Bee portal. These essays will be reviewed by FMWF Chamber-recruited judges, with the top 20 essays advancing to an in-person competition in Fargo on April 5, 2025. From there, the top three scorers will progress to the state level for a chance to compete nationally.
Key Dates
Essay submission deadline: Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025
Local competition: Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Fargo, N.D.
State competition: Held between May and August 2025
National Competition: Fall 2025, in Washington, D.C.
Why Participate
This competition provides middle school students an opportunity to grow their civic understanding and engagement. Thanks to the support of local organizations, participants are eligible for various incentives, including:
- A grand prize drawing for a chance to win a Nintendo Switch for participating students
- A cash prize for the student advancing to the state competition
- A gift card to the top three students
Educator Resources
Educators can sign up here to stay updated, receive materials and enter giveaways for sharing with their students. To receive ongoing information about the National Civics Bee for yourself and your students, please complete this short, 4-question form.