Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance Launches Local Civics Bee for Middle School Students
September 8, 2025 | Community Development, Public Policy
The Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance is proud to partner with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to host the local entry into the National Civics Bee® for the 2025–2026 program year. For the first time ever, the Economic Alliance is cultivating civic engagement into our area middle schools. This year’s national event is special as it will be held in all 50 states in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026. Students are invited to showcase their civics knowledge, engage in their communities, and strengthen their skills as future leaders through a nonpartisan, multi-round competition starting local, moving to state and ideally to national.
The local Civics Bee begins with a written essay competition and culminates in live quiz events at the local, state, and national levels. Students in grades 6–8 from public, private, charter, and home schools across Eastern Iowa are encouraged to participate.
Finalists from the essay round will be invited to compete in a live local quiz event hosted by the Economic Alliance next Spring. Winners will advance to the Iowa State Finals, and the first-place state winner will earn a trip to Washington, D.C. for the National Championship in Fall 2026. National finalists will compete for cash prizes, national recognition, and a $100,000 529 education savings plan contribution. Thanks to the generous support of the Fisher Global Foundation, the first-place winner in each state may also secure a $5,000 donation for their school.
The application portal is open now through February 3, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. HST. Students may apply online at https://www.cedarrapids.org/public-policy/national-civics-bee/ or by mail if they do not have internet access. Educators, youth leaders, and parents are encouraged to share this opportunity with middle school students. Resources to help students prepare their essays are available on the website.
“The Civics Bee is an exciting way to encourage our youth to engage in civics by utilizing their voices and ideas to shape their local community,” said Juliet Abdel, President & CEO of the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance. “We are honored to host the competition locally and look forward to celebrating creativity, knowledge, and energy that our youth possess.”
“As we approach America’s 250th anniversary, we have a powerful opportunity – and responsibility – to reignite civic learning across the country,” added Hilary Crow, vice president of civics at the U.S. Chamber Foundation. “Our hope is that the National Civics Bee inspires more schools to prioritize civics education, equipping young people with a deeper understanding of how our government and democracy work – and the essential role they play in strengthening their communities and our nation.”
For more information about entering the National Civics Bee, visit https://www.cedarrapids.org/public-policy/national-civics-bee/ .
About U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation harnesses the power of business to create solutions for the good of America and the world. We anticipate, develop, and deploy solutions to challenges facing communities—today and tomorrow.
About the National Civics Bee®
The National Civics Bee, a program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, is an annual nonpartisan competition aimed at improving civics education and literacy among middle school students, their families, and communities. The Bee elevates civics as a national priority through a network of state, regional, and local organizations. It is made possible through the support of its founding partner, the Daniels Fund, as well as Carnegie Corporation of New York, Citizen Travelers, and other funders.