An initiative of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

The National Civics Bee® Championship

November 12, 2024
Washington, DC

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.

About the Bee

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

The 2024 National Civics Bee Championship took place on November 12, 2024. Registration is now closed. 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.

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FAQ

When is the National Civics Bee® Championship?

The Championship took place on November 12, 2024, in Washington, DC.

How do I watch the National Civics Bee® Championship?

View highlights of the 2024 Championship on the Chamber Foundation’s YouTube channel, 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 advanced to their state’s finals, taking place through August. The first-place winner from each state final received a trip to Washington, DC to compete in the Championship.

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

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

Emma Bloomberg

Founder and CEO of Murmuration
The Honorable Rodney E. Slater

The Hon. Rodney E. Slater

Chair of the National Archives Foundation and former U.S. Secretary of Transportation
Elaine Buxton

Elaine Buxton

CEO of Confero, Inc., the CO—100 Top Business 2024
Allison Matthews

Allison Matthews

Head of Education at Minecraft
The Honorable R. James Nicholson

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.

Learn More