The Civics Bee: Inspiring Civic Knowledge and Engagement

The Civics Bee is an exciting and enriching educational opportunity created through a collaborative effort between Bloomington Public Schools and the League of Women Voters - Bloomington. This annual competition is designed to inspire students to deepen their understanding of civic principles and democracy, and to develop the skills necessary to become informed and engaged citizens.

What is the Civics Bee?

“Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education.” Franklin D. Roosevelt

The Civics Bee is a dynamic competition that brings together Bloomington 7th graders from Oak Grove, Olson, and Valley Middle Schools to test their knowledge of U.S. government, history, and civic responsibilities. Participants answer questions that highlight the importance of active citizenship and informed voting. The event is structured to be both challenging and fun, emphasizing the value of education and fostering a spirit of friendly competition.

Our Goals

The Civics Bee aims to:

  • Promote Civic Education: Enhance students' understanding of the American political system, the Constitution, and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

  • Encourage Critical Thinking: Develop critical thinking skills by encouraging students to analyze complex civic issues.

  • Foster Engagement: Inspire a lifelong interest in civic participation and public service among students.

  • Build Community: Strengthen the connection between students, schools, and the broader community through a shared commitment to civic education.

How It Works

The Civics Bee involves multiple rounds of competition,:

  1. Level I: All 7th grade students from Bloomington Public Schools participate in this Level I competition. This round of the Civics Bee consists of a qualifying exam given in individual 7th grade classrooms. The top scorers on this qualifying exam are then invited to participate in Level II.

  2. Level II: The Level II Civics Bee competitions are school-level competitions held at each Bloomington Public Middle School. In the Level II competitions, participants are tested orally on a broad range of topics related to civics. The highest scorers in the Level II competitions are then invited to take part in the Level III competition.

  3. Level III: This championship round brings together the top performing 7th graders from across the district to participate in the City-Wide Civics Bee Championship. Through rounds of oral questioning, students compete for the final championship while displaying their knowledge of civics and their dedication to learning. This final competition takes place in City Council Chambers at the Bloomington Civic Plaza and is a collaborative effort of the League of Women Voters – Bloomington, Bloomington Public School, and the City of Bloomington’s Community Outreach and Engagement Division. 

Top performers are recognized with awards and certificates, celebrating their achievements and encouraging continued civic engagement.

Get Involved

The success of the Civics Bee depends on the enthusiastic support of our community. Here’s how you can participate:

  • Volunteer: Help organize, promote, and run the competitions at the individual middle schools and at the city-wide event.

  • Sponsor: Provide financial support or in-kind donations to help make the Civics Bee a memorable experience for all participants.

  • Attend: Join us on competition day to cheer on the students and celebrate their dedication to civic learning. Here are the details for the 2024-25 City-Wide competition:

    When: Tuesday, February 4th, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.

    Where: City Council Chambers at Bloomington Civic Plaza

    1800 West Old Shakopee Road

    Bloomington, MN 55431-3027

Group of Bloomington Middle School Students at the Civic Bee with Mayor Tim Busse

Why It Matters

In a rapidly changing world, a strong understanding of civic principles is more important than ever. The Civics Bee helps equip the next generation with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate the complexities of modern democracy. By encouraging students to value and to enhance their knowledge regarding civics and democracy, we prepare them to be thoughtful, informed, and active participants in our political system.

Join us in celebrating and supporting the Civics Bee, and help foster a brighter future for our community and our democracy. For more information or to get involved, please contact us at info@lwvBloomingtonMN.org. Together, we can inspire a new generation of engaged and informed citizens.