Students on the Central Coast are invited to participate in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation's National Civics Bee regional competition this year, hosted by the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce in early 2026.

Now present in all 50 states in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, the annual Civics Bee gives middle school students the chance to showcase their civics knowledge, engage in their communities, and build trust in others and institutions through a nonpartisan, multi-round competition.

The National Civics Bee begins with a written four paragraph essay submission centered around identifying an opportunity, problem or challenge to local communities and describing steps to making a change to address the problem.

In addition to the identification of a

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