National Civics Bee Parent Checklist
STEP 1
Write Your Essay
6th – 8th grade students answer 4 questions about:
- An issue in your community
- The steps you’d take to fix it
- Who would support your idea
- How your idea reflects America’s founding principles
STEP 2
Submit to National Civics Bee
Essay due February 3, 2026
Top finalists travel to Washington, D.C. to compete for a $100,000 scholarship.
STEP 3
Utah Essay Contest
After submitting to the National Civics Bee, enter the Utah Civics Essay Contest for another chance to win up to $500.
What is the National Civics Bee?
The National Civics Bee is a nationwide competition open to 6th–8th graders in any learning environment. Students participate by writing a short, four-paragraph essay about a real community issue, how civics connects to it, and a possible solution. It’s a simple way for students to share their ideas and compete for scholarships, including up to $100,000.