CO Logo Civics Challenge 2023

Welcome to the CIVICS Challenge!

The 5th annual Civics Challenge is now accepting submissions! The Civics Challenge is an online civics competition for grades 6 through 12. Participants are challenged to choose one civics topic and express their knowledge through various art forms. See categories and topics below!

Finalists in two categories, middle school (6th-8th grade) and high school (9th-12th grade), will be awarded prizes of $1,000 for first place winners followed by $500 and $250 for second and third place respectively. Entries may be submitted through March 29, 2024.

There are lots of ways to participate in the Civics Challenge!

Have fun, learn about an important civics topic, make a valuable resource for others to see, and you could earn a fantastic prize!

Select A Topic To Learn About:

  1. Justice Sandra Day O'Connor
  2. Checks & Balances
  3. Legislative Branch
  4. Executive Branch
  5. Judicial Branch
  6. Citizenship: Rights & Responsibilities

Select How You Want To Participate:

1. Video (see below for more info)
2. Original Song (written lyrics or audio/video)
3. Written Essay (no more than 1,000 words)
5. Mixed Media Artwork (Poster, Painting or Sculpture)

education jar

Prizes:

First Place: $1000 (2 awarded)

Second Place: $500 (2 awarded)

Third Place: $250 (2 awarded)

 

Who Can Enter:

Students currently in 6th, 7th and 8th Grade (Middle School)

and 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th Grade (High School)

 

Check out the Rules Here for more information!

If you choose to make a video as your artistic form, the videos below give some helpful background and explain more!

Here's our first student host, Hannah - Checks & Balances:

Checks & Balances

 

If you choose this first category, you can make your video about:

  • The separation of powers / checks and balances on the three branches of government, as described in the United States Constitution
  • Federalism (the division of power between states and the federal government), or...
  • The Bill of Rights

Justice Sandra Day O'Connor

 

If you choose this category, you can make your video about Justice Sandra Day O’Connor! Watch this brief video and learn how to enter from 2020 O’Connor Civics Challenge 6th grade winner Ula:

  • 2021 marks the 40th anniversary of Justice O’Connor making history as the first woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1981!
  • Learn more about our Founder and make a video about any aspect of her amazing life.

The Legislative Branch

In this category, you can make your video about:

  • How a bill in Congress or your state legislature becomes a law
  • The U.S. Congress: the different responsibilities of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives
  • The structure and powers of your state legislature, city council, or county government
  • The U.S. Census: how it works and its impact

The Executive Branch

In this category, you can make your video about:

  • How one specific Presidential power works, such as vetoes, executive orders, judicial appointments, or something else you find!
  • What federal agencies the Executive Branch includes
  • The structure of the U.S. Military and the National Guard
  • A Presidential Cabinet role, such as the United States Attorney General, and its equivalent at your state level
  • The structure and responsibilities of your state governor’s office, or your city mayor’s office


The Judicial Branch

In this category, you can make your video about:

  • The structure of the U.S. court system and how federal courts relate to state courts
  • Judicial review and independent judiciary - what are these concepts, and why are they important?
  • The rule of law – what is it, and why is it important?

Citizenship:
Rights and Responsibilities

In this category, you can make your video about:

  • The history of voting rights and how they have expanded over time
  • The different types of elections: what is a "Primary" versus a "General" or "Special" election? Why is voting important, even in small elections?
  • Why do our courts have a jury system? How does the process work, and why is jury duty important?
  • How could or should elections change in the future? For example, should they be online? What are the arguments for and against that?

Entering the O'Connor Civics Challenge and being eligible to win the prizes above requires acceptance of the
Civics Challenge Rules

To view previous winning entries, CLICK HERE.

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