National Civics Bee

 

About the Bee

The Kentucky Chamber Foundation is participating with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and local chambers across Kentucky to host the third annual statewide civics competition. The 2023-24 National Civics Bee encourages middle school students to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. The competition, modeled on traditional spelling and geography bees, gives students the chance to win recognition and earn cash prizes by sharing ideas for improving their communities and showing their enthusiasm for civics. The winner of the National Civics Bee Kentucky State Finals will be invited to Washington, DC to compete in the inaugural national championship in Fall 2024.

 

Why Civics?

We are hosting the National Civics Bee Kentucky State Finals because we believe that informed and active citizens make for a strong country, a strong economy, and a strong workforce and that our continued prosperity depends on the strength of all three. Through the bee, we are promoting greater civic knowledge throughout Kentucky and celebrating our civic pride. 

 

 


How to Participate in the Local Competitions

Local chambers of commerce across the state are working together to bring the National Civics Bee to every Kentucky region. Students will write a 500-word essay to enter their local competitions. The winners from each region will then move on to the Kentucky state finals. Use the map to find your local region, and click the chamber below to learn how to enter into the 2023-2024 National Civics Bee Competition! Applications close on February 19, 2024!

 

 


Additional Resources

Congratulations to the 2023 Kentucky Civics Bee State Winners!

Chambers of Commerce from across Kentucky hosted Local Civics Bee competitions this spring, in partnership with the Kentucky Chamber Foundation, where middle school students participated in live quiz events to test their civics knowledge and discuss issues facing their communities.

 

The local competitions were hosted by the Paducah Area Chamber, Bardstown-Nelson County Chamber, Campbellsville-Taylor County Chamber, Southeast Kentucky Chamber, London-Laurel County Chamber, and Northern Kentucky Chamber.

 

Javan Dotson from Pikeville was named the winner of the National Civics Bee Kentucky State Competition, with Jiwoo Kim from Richmond placing second and Kaylee Brandon from Paducah placing third.

 

View the full recap of the event here

 

Photo provided by the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation

Need to Brush up on Your Civics Knowledge?

Contest Rules

The National Civics Bee Official Contest Rules govern the competition to ensure fairness and integrity. They are customized to include the name, address, and end date (including time zone) of each local chamber partner. Otherwise, the Contest Rules must not be modified in any way. As you review the Official Contest Rules
in their entirety on the following pages, please note the following eligibility
requirement
s:

  • Any student registered in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade in a public, private, or home school is eligible to participate
  • Students may only apply to one competition, and it must be in their state of residence
  • All entries must be in English
  • If a student participated in a previous National Civics Bee, they must submit a new, unique entry
  • Any student related to (or living with) Chamber staff, leadership, Board of Directors, or any student who is related to any partners/co-Sponsors of the National Civics Bee is not eligible (to prevent any perception of bias, preferentialism, or discrimination)

In addition, please note the following requirements related to documentation and data storage:

  • Parents/Guardians of the selected Finalists must submit an eligibility validation and consent form for their child to participate in Local and State Events
  • Tax Payer ID is not required to participate in the Bee, but it is required to receive the cash prizes (and any other prizes where the parent/guardian might be responsible to pay taxes)
  • If a parent asks for their child’s data to be removed or deleted, they must contact [email protected] and the Local Competition Partner must inform USCCF

Refer to the following Official Contest Rules for all requirements.

Check Out Photos from the 2023 National Civics Bee State Competition!

   

Photos provided by the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation