Join us for the Kansas State Finals of the National Civics Bee!
ABOUT THE BEE
The Kansas Leadership Center is partnering with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and four chambers of commerce across Kansas to host a first-of-its-kind statewide civics competition. The 2023-24 National Civics Bee encourages young Americans in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. The competition, modeled on traditional spelling and geography bees, gives students the chance to win recognition and earn cash prizes by sharing ideas for improving their communities and showing their enthusiasm for civics. The winner of the Kansas State Finals will be invited to Washington, DC to compete in the inaugural National Civics Bee National Championship on Tuesday, November 12, 2024!
WHY CIVICS?Â
We are hosting the National Civics Bee Kansas State Finals because we believe that informed and active citizens make for a strong country, a strong economy, and a strong workforce and that our continued prosperity depends on the strength of all three. Through the Bee, we are promoting greater civic knowledge throughout Kansas and celebrating our civic pride.
LOCAL COMPETITIONS
- Hutchinson-Reno County Chamber of Commerce (Hutchinson, KS) – Wednesday, April 17
- Overland Park Chamber Foundation (Overland Park, KS) – Monday, April 22
- Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce (Pittsburg, KS) – Tuesday, April 23
- Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce and Wichita Public Schools (Wichita, KS) – Saturday, April 27
- Not a Kansas resident? Learn more about the National Civics Bee and find a local competition in your state!
STATE FINALSÂ
Thursday, May 9, 2024
2:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Kansas Leadership Center (325 East Douglas Avenue, Wichita, KS 67202)
Planning to attend? RSVP today!
A special thank you to Fidelity Bank for sponsoring special programming for all Kansans that explores ‘Our Place in Democracy’ through a half day of activities and connection.
Here’s the agenda at a glance:
2:00 p.m. – Programming on ‘Our Place in Democracy’
4:30 to 6:30 p.m. – Kansas State Finals of the National Civics Bee
6:30 p.m. – Networking reception
As part of the festivities, there will be a poetry reading from Huascar Medina, Kansas Poet Laureate emeritus and Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellow, as well as a keynote from David Adkins, former Kansas legislator and current executive director and CEO of the Council of State Governments, and staff members Chris Green and Maren Berblinger facilitate group conversation on the part we all play in shaping the civic health of our communities. In addition, community-based organizations will also be in attendance sharing ways to get involved in the neighborhood, community and civic life. Kansans of all ages will get to test their civic knowledge during the National Civics Bee competition through an interactive audience quiz.
Community Partners
The following organizations will have tables at the event to share ways to get involved in your community:
CONTACT USÂ
If you have any questions or need additional information, contact Maren Berblinger at [email protected] or 316.462.9963.
