Contests and Competitions
There is a long history of contests and competitions in civics education. These are excellent ways for students to engage with civic challenges and time-tested prompts in a collective setting. While the prizes are great, the experience of competing is even more valuable. Whether in writing or person, there are so many ways for students to participate, both in Pennsylvania and nationally.
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The Rendell Center for Civics and Civic Engagement
Since its inception in 2013, The Rendell Center’s Citizenship Challenge has become a signature offering and is the premier experiential learning experience for 4th and 5th graders in the Commonwealth. Stay tuned for an announcement for the 2024 competition.
The challenge is an essay contest providing students with the opportunity to express themselves regarding a current issue facing our democracy.
The Challenge is open to 4th and 5th grade classes enrolled in public, private, or parochial school, or home study programs from Philadelphia to the Capitol Region. First prize is $1,000, along with four runner-up awards of $500.
4th and 5th Grade
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Generation Citizen is excited to announce that our Second Annual Philadelphia Spring Civics Day will take place Thursday, April 18, 2024! Civics Day–like a science fair for civics– is the culminating event that brings together students from across the city who participated in Generation Citizen’s programming to share their learning with their peers and civic decision makers.
Each semester, Generation Citizen hosts a Civics Day showcase celebration. Student representatives are selected from each Generation Citizen class to present their civics project to other students, community members, and public officials, celebrating their work and gaining feedback to further their efforts. Civics Day is a chance for students to explore ways to continue their civic engagement after the end of the program with new feedback, perspectives, and advice from subject-area and policy experts to guide students as they work to make change in their communities.
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The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Historical Commission is excited to announce a statewide series of student contests designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and deeper understanding of the judicial branch of government. This initiative invites students to explore the work, role, and impact of the courts through a variety of fun and educational activities. Let’s celebrate our courts and the rule of law — and inspire the next generation of informed citizens and leaders!
K-12, depending on the contest
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MyImpact Challenge is a civic engagement contest hosted by the Bill of Rights Institute. Submission is open to US citizens and US-based young people who are between the ages of 13 and 19 and enrolled in middle or high school on January 1, 2024.
Submissions must be received by 11:59 p.m. PT on Sunday, May 19, 2024.
• Student Grand Prize: $10,000
• Student First Prize: $7,500
• Student Second Prize: $5,000
• Student Third Prize: $2,500
• Student Honorable Mention: $1,500
Middle School and High School
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The National Civics Bee® is an annual competition that inspires young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. Join us in this nonpartisan initiative to enhance civic literacy, skills, and participation. Learn more.
The application deadline is February 4, 2025.
February 2025-April 2025: Local Bees take place throughout Pennsylvania
June 13, 2025: Pennsylvania State Finals at Penn State University
November 2025: National Championship in Washington, D.C.
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Hundreds of students throughout the Commonwealth participate in National History Day competitions. Find your regional competition to compete for a spot in the 2024 National History Day in PA Statewide Contest. This year’s contest will take place April 20-21 at the University of Scranton.
National History Day draws upon a unique historical theme each year and encourages middle school and high school students to research history in an exciting and creative way. Either individually or in groups, students create exhibits, produce documentaries, write papers, design websites, or stage performances.
Each activity is judged, and first, second, and third place winners move on to the state competition of National History Day Pennsylvania. The top winners from the state competition then move onto the national competition.
PA Civics Member Senator John Heinz History Center is proud to be the home for Region 7, serving students from Allegheny, Washington, Greene, Fayette, Westmoreland, and Somerset counties.
Middle School and High School
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One of the largest in the nation, the Pennsylvania Bar Association Young Lawyer Division’s High School Mock Trial Competition gives over 290 high school student teams from across the state the opportunity to act as lawyers and witnesses in simulated civil trials before actual judges and panels of juries. Lawyers volunteer to assist students as team advisors, scorekeepers and regional coordinators. Each year, the winning team goes on to represent Pennsylvania in the national competition.
For more information on the concept of Mock Trial, current and past seasons, volunteering for the program, participating schools, competition schedules, case materials, and more, review all materials linked above.
High School
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The Center’s flagship civic education program, We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution, is a comprehensive curriculum for elementary, middle, and high school students covering the history and principles of constitutional democracy in the United States.
We the People culminates with simulated congressional hearings where students testify before a panel of judges acting as members of Congress. In addition to state competitions across the country, every spring, the Center hosts the We the People National Finals and National Invitational for high school and middle school students in the Washington, D.C., area.
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Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge
Open to students, ages kindergarten-grade 12. Individual essays may be the product of a classroom assignment or other contest. Learn more about this year’s prompts here.
Entries must be typed, double spaced, corrected, and contain 250-500 words for kindergarten-grade 6 and 500-750 words for grades 7-12. Essays must also address the year’s topic and include the student’s name, address, grade level and teacher’s name. One entry per student.
Deadline For Early Selection: March 1, 2024 – Recipients notified by April 15, 2024
Deadline For General Selection: June 1, 2024 – Recipients notified by September 1, 2024
Winners will receive a George Washington medal and certificate.
All Grades