Civics Bee


Calling ALL Middle School Students!
Share your ideas and flex your civics knowledge in the National Civics Bee
The Johnson City Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to host a first-of-its-kind civics competition that encourages young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. Participating 6th, 7th and 8th graders will flex their civics knowledge for a chance to win recognition and cash prizes. Finalists will be invited to Washington, DC to compete in the inaugural National Civics Bee National Championship in Fall of 2024.

First Place
Second Place
Third Place
How to Enter
Any 6th, 7th or 8th grade student residing in Tennessee with an idea about using civics to improve their community may review the rules and submit a 500-word essay application using the button below.
The application opens November 13, 2023 and closes January 8, 2024
Additional Info:
How It Works
After the essay portal closes, submissions will be reviewed by an impartial panel of judges. Judges will not have access to applicants’ names or personal information. All essays will be reviewed by two judges.
Based on judges’ scores and evaluations of essays, 20 applicants will be chosen to participate in the live Bee event. The 90-minute event will consist of 2, 15-minute rounds of answering online quiz questions (administered through provided tablets). The top 5 scorers of the quiz will move on to the third and final round, a Q&A session. The questions, from a different panel of impartial judges, may center around the students’ essays or other civic (not political) topics. Students will be provided a study guide.
The Bee’s 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners will be selected based on quiz performance and Q&A performance. Winners will receive cash prizes and will have the opportunity to participate in the state Civics Bee.
The Event
The live National Civics Bee in Johnson City event will take place on Saturday, April 13, 2024 from 10am-Noon.
Finalists, their families and friends and the community are invited to attend this event at The Langston Centre (315 Elm St. Johnson City, TN 37604).
Why Civics?
The Johnson City Chamber is participating in the National Civics Bee 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 in Tennessee and celebrating our civic pride.
This inaugural local Civics Bee is in partnership with:
Discover Chamber Benefits