National Civics Bee
Empowering youth to harness the power of their voices and be involved citizens
An annual civics competition for Maryland middle schoolers
Each year, the Maryland Chamber Foundation proudly partners with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s The Civic Trust and local and regional chambers of commerce across Maryland to host the annual National Civics Bee statewide competition for Maryland. The competition provides opportunities for young Americans to engage in civics, learn about our country's history and government, and propose solutions to community issues, all while having chances to earn recognition and cash prizes for their contributions.
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How the competition works
Local chambers chosen to be partners in the National Civics Bee host a local civics bee competition that takes part in several phases:
- Local Essay Round — Students enter the local Bee of their choosing by submitting a 500-word essay regarding a problem facing their community - and ideas for helping to solve it. Entries will be accepted directly by each chamber between November 13, 2023 and January 8, 2024.
- Local Civics Bee Competitions — Local chambers will judge each essay and select twenty local finalists to compete live in a local Civics Bee Competition, which will determine the First, Second, and Third Place Winners of the local competition. The local Civics Bee Competition is a 90-minute, in-person event featuring two rounds of civics questions followed by a Q&A round with approximately three judges. Local Bees will be held between February 20 and April 30 of 2024.
- State Civics Bee Competition — The top three winners from each local competition will advance to compete live in the Maryland Civics Bee Competition hosted by the Maryland Chamber of Commerce Foundation. The state finalist with the highest cumulative score will be named the First Place Winner of the State Competition. There will also be a Second Place Winner and Third Place Winner.
- National Championship - The National Championship for the 2024 National Civics Bee will take place in the Fall of 2024 in Washington, D.C.
Who is eligible
A Maryland student registered in grades 6, 7 or 8 at any public, private or home school institution at the time of entry is eligible for participation.
How to enter
- To enter, students should select one of the local chamber competitions in Maryland and follow the steps, rules and guidelines provided by the chamber to submit your entry. Please note: Students can only apply to one local chamber competition.
LOCAL COMPETITIONS
Submit your essay to a local competition
The following Chambers of Commerce are participating in the 2024 National Civics Bee:
- Allegany County Chamber of Commerce
- Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce
- Frederick County Chamber of Commerce
- Greater Crofton Chamber of Commerce
- Howard County Chamber of Commerce
- St. Mary's County Chamber of Commerce
Use the links above to find more information about each local bee and to submit your entry. Please note: Students may enter only one local chamber competition, which must be in their state of residence.
Read official rules for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation's National Civics Bee Contest
PRIZES
Earn recognition and cash prizes
Finalists participating in each local bee as well as in the state competition for Maryland will be eligible for recognition and cash prizes.
Local Civics Bee Competition Prizes:
Each local finalist will receive a participation certificate. There will be one third place winner receiving a trophy and $125, one second place winner receiving a trophy and $250, and one first place winner receiving a trophy and $500.
Statewide Civics Bee Competition Prizes:
Each state finalist will receive a participation certificate. There will be one third place winner receiving a trophy and $500, one second place winner receiving a trophy and $750, and one first place winner receiving a trophy and $1,000.
National Competition Prizes:
Each national finalist will receive a participation certificate. There will be one third place winner receiving a trophy and at least $5,000, one second place winner receiving a trophy and at least $7,500, and one first place winner receiving a trophy and at least $10,000.
2024 STATEWIDE COMPETITION
Top finalists from each local bee
The top three finalists from each of Maryland's locally-hosted National Civics Bee competitions will be invited to the statewide competition for Maryland, tentatively scheduled for June 2024.
Maryland's top finalist will be eligible to compete at the national competition, taking place in Washington D.C.
THE IMPORTANCE OF CIVICS
A healthy democracy relies upon well informed citizens
We are hosting the Civics Bee because we recognize that a healthy democracy relies on citizens who are well informed about their history, government and public issues and who are motivated to engage constructively in shaping the vibrancy of public life in their communities, their states and their nation.
The business community that the Maryland Chamber of Commerce represents understands it has an enormous stake — as well as a unique and potentially effective role to play — in strengthening American civic life.