Ready to celebrate America 250? Sign up for "We the Students" Civics Bowl

Civics is one of those subjects we all agree is important.

Most students learn government from a textbook, a worksheet, or a unit test. They memorize terms, take an exam, and move on. But the real challenge (and opportunity) in civics is not just knowing definitions. It’s understanding how the system works, why it was built the way it was, and how citizens can use it to make their communities better.

That’s why the Mountain States Policy Center is hosting the "We the Students" Civics Bowl: a buzzer-based, quiz bowl-style tournament for high school students at the Idaho State Capitol Building.

On Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, teams from across the region will compete answering questions on the fundamentals of American government: the Constitution (articles, amendments, and federalism), the three branches, checks and balances, founding debates, major Supreme Court cases, elections and civic participation, and the basics of state and local government.

The point is simple: if we want the next generation to value civic literacy, we should give them a format that makes it feel real.

The "We The Students" Quiz Bowl does that. It makes learning active. It rewards preparation and teamwork. It builds confidence and composure under pressure. It turns civics from a static subject into a live skill.

And to be clear: this event is designed for novice teams, including schools that have never done a quiz bowl before. You don’t need a specialized coach. You don’t need an elite program. You just need students willing to show up, learn, and compete.

Here’s how it works. Teams compete in rounds where a moderator reads a question aloud. Students buzz in to answer. Correct answers earn points, and teams get follow-up bonus questions to test deeper knowledge. It’s fast-paced, accessible, and fun.

This tournament also carries meaningful incentives. The first-place team will receive a $5,000 scholarship, and the second-place team will receive a $2,000 scholarship. There is also a trophy. But the real prize is the experience: students spending a day surrounded by the very structure that their questions are about, civics, debated in the place where policy is made.

We’re limiting the competition to 12 teams from across the region to keep the day organized, to ensure every team gets an equal number of games, and to keep the experience high-quality for students and coaches. A team is four students, with up to two alternates, and an adult coach.

If you’re an educator, administrator, or parent reading this, please encourage a team of students from your region to register. If your school is private, rural, small, or you homeschool, that’s not a reason to sit out. It’s a reason to jump in.

Civic education doesn’t belong to one type of school or region. It belongs to everyone. Our hope is that teams will come from across Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Eastern Washington, so students can meet peers from different communities, compete respectfully, and go home with a deeper appreciation for how our system works.

Registration closes on March 5. There is no fee to participate, and travel stipends are available for at-need teams, so geography and budget don’t determine who gets to compete. Event details are available here.

If you’re wondering how to prepare, the answer is easier than you think. We will provide each team with a study packet to help you prepare for competition day. You’ll review the Constitution. Learn about the checks and balances. Cover the major Supreme Court cases that every American hears about. Know how elections work. Understand what state and local governments do.

In the long run, our region will benefit from students who understand the basics: what the Constitution actually says, how a bill becomes law, why courts matter, and how citizens can participate constructively.

So here’s the invitation: bring a team. Bring your best students, your curious students, your “I never thought civics could be fun” students. Let them compete at the Idaho Capitol. Let them experience what civic literacy looks like in real time.

By making civics engaging and relevant, the program helps students understand not only how our system works, but why it matters. Let the civics competition begin!