
Middle school students throughout Oregon are invited to participate in the second annual Oregon Civics Bee. Organized by the Oregon Business & Industry Research and Education Foundation and presented by U.S Bank, this competition will give students a chance to share their ideas for improving their communities and show their enthusiasm for civics. Participants will have a chance to win cash prizes of up to $1,000.
The Oregon Civics Bee is part of U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s National Civics Bee. The winner of the Oregon Civics Bee will be invited to participate in the national round of the competition in Washington, D.C. in fall 2025. Top performers in the National Civics Bee will get to compete for grand prizes, including a $100,000 education savings plan for the national champion.
Any 6th, 7th or 8th grader who’d like to participate in the Oregon Civics Bee will identify a problem in their community and write an essay of no more than 750 words about how it could be addressed. The essay must be submitted by means of an online portal that can be accessed through the Oregon Civics Bee website. Essays are due Feb. 4.
A panel of judges will select finalists to participate in regional civics bees to be held in several locations around the state. The top performers in regional bees will be invited to participate in the state bee, which will be held in Salem in spring 2025. Both regional and state civics bees will feature a quiz-style competition and engagement with judges about the students’ essays. The winner of the Oregon Civics Bee will be invited to participate in the National Civics Bee.
Additional information for students, parents and teachers can be found tinyurl.com/y87sw382. There is no charge to participate.