The inaugural 2024 National Civics Bee® Championship brings finalists from 27 states to U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation headquarters to test their civics knowledge, skills, and disposition as they compete for big prizes.
The National Civics Bee® is an annual competition that inspires young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. As they compete for a spot in the Championship, middle schoolers in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades from across the country showcase their civics knowledge and skills, winning prizes and recognition along the way.
The National Civics Bee®At A Glance
Entries from more than 8,000 students.
Competitors advance through local and state bees that take place through August.
One finalist from each state receives a trip to DC to compete at the Championship in November.
Meet the Finalists
Finalists shown: 6
Aarit K.
Ohio
Essay Topic: Excessive Screen Time
Aiden B.
Arizona
Essay Topic: Open Primaries
Aria T.
Montana
Essay Topic: Wildlife Vehicle Collisions
Ava June T.
Kentucky
Essay Topic: Young Government
Brody S.
New York
Essay Topic: School Composting
Charlotte E.
Tennessee
Essay Topic: Homelessness
Cullen P.
Oklahoma
Essay Topic: Voter Turnout
Ellie F.
Indiana
Essay Topic: Teen Mental Health
Emily B.
Alaska
Essay Topic: Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act
Evan Z.
Michigan
Essay Topic: Pedestrian Safety
Faizan S.
Connecticut
Essay Topic: Youth Gun Violence
Gianna S.
Maryland
Essay Topic: Grocery Prices
Grace O.
Georgia
Essay Topic: Recycling Advocacy
Ilyannie G.
Washington
Essay Topic: Gun Violence
Joah S.
Arkansas
Essay Topic: Downtown Revitalization
Joel C.
Wyoming
Essay Topic: Voting Opportunities
Joseph D.
Colorado
Essay Topic: Civic Education
Keith L.
New Mexico
Essay Topic: Climate Change
Lucy L.
Mississippi
Essay Topic: Prenatal Care
Mariya H.
Pennsylvania
Essay Topic: Algal Blooms
Michael O.
Iowa
Essay Topic: Civic Participation
Rishaan P.
Kansas
Essay Topic: Healthcare Access
Rya M.
Wisconsin
Essay Topic: Education
Summer H.
West Virginia
Essay Topic: Community Drug Problem
Taashvi W.
Texas
Essay Topic: Public Transportation
Thomas M.
Oregon
Essay Topic: Library Funding
Zoey D.
Virginia
Essay Topic: Housing Development
Watch the 2024 National Civics Bee® Championship
Attend the 2024 National Civics Bee® Championship in-person, or sign-up for the livestream to watch from home. Register Here
Thank you to our Sponsors
In addition to funding from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the National Civics Bee® is made possible by the generous support of our Founding Partner, The Daniels Fund, as well as The Anschutz Foundation, Wilson Garling Foundation, Citizen Travelers, Welcome.US, and Starbucks.
News
Profile
To the Bee and Beyond
Motivated by a genuine enthusiasm for learning, Benjamin, an eighth grader from Washington, viewed the National Civics Bee® as a golden opportunity to expand his knowledge in a new subject. He was immediately drawn to the competition, expressing his thought process: “I get to study, which some people might not like, but I enjoy it
The Championship will take place on November 12, 2024, in Washington, DC.
How do I watch the National Civics Bee® Championship?
Members of the public are invited to register to attend the Championship in-person on November 12, at U.S. Chamber of Commerce headquarters in Washington, DC. A livestream of the event will also be available for those who wish to watch from home. Register here.
How are finalists chosen?
To enter the 2024 National Civics Bee®, students in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades submitted essays describing how they would improve their communities through civics. The top-scoring entrants advanced to a local bee designed to test their civics knowledge during two rounds of civics quiz questions and a Q&A with a distinguished panel of judges. Local winners advance to their state’s finals, taking place through August. The first-place winner from each state final will receive a trip to Washington, DC to compete in the Championship in November.
Who runs the National Civics Bee®?
Organized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the National Civics Bee® is an annual nonpartisan civics competition for middle schoolers that increases civics knowledge, skills, and disposition among young Americans, their families, and communities. The Chamber Foundation partners with chambers of commerce across the country to host local and state bees. The competition is made possible with the generous support of our Founding Partner, The Daniels Fund, as well as The Anschutz Foundation, Wilson Garling Foundation, Citizen Travelers, Welcome.US, Starbucks, and other supporters.
How can I sponsor the National Civics Bee®?
Individuals, companies, and organizations interested in supporting the National Civics Bee® may learn more about donating here.
Event Details
1st Place
Surprise Announcement
2nd Place
$25,000
3rd Place
$15,000
Each finalist that participates in the 2024 National Civics Bee® Championship will receive a certificate commemorating their participation.
Agenda
9:00 a.m.
Doors Open for Attendees
9:30 a.m.
Opening Ceremony
9:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Championship Competition
1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Celebratory Lunch at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Emcee
Marc Summers
Nickelodeon TV Personality
With one of the most diverse and eclectic careers in the entertainment industry, Marc Summers is probably best known for putting Nickelodeon on the map as the host of Double Dare.
Emma Bloomberg
Founder and CEO of Murmuration
The Hon. Rodney E. Slater
Chair of the National Archives Foundation and former U.S. Secretary of Transportation
Elaine Buxton
CEO of Confero, Inc., the CO—100 Top Business 2024
Allison Matthews
Head of Education at Minecraft
The Hon. R. James Nicholson
Former U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Ambassador to the Holy See
Want to enter the 2025 Bee?
The application to the 2025 National Civics Bee® is now open! Enter by February 4, 2025.
