The Middle School Contest is open to all United States citizens or legal residents who are students in grades 6-8 and are 11 to 15 years old at the time of entry, attending public, private, religious, home school program and charter schools.
Students must attend school in one of the 50 States, District of Columbia, all U.S. Territories, or American Armed Forces Schools abroad. "We The Future" Contest winners are limited to winning twice, and may not win more than once in the same category.
From September 18, 2019 to September 17, 2021 (the "Contest Period") Constituting America will conduct the "We the Future" essay and STEM contest (the "Contest") in the 50 States of the United States of America, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Territories and the American Armed Forces Schools Abroad.
The essay topic is: Recognizing our form of government is a Republic, write a 500-700 word essay on how our First Amendment (RAPPS: Religion, Assembly, Press, Petition, Speech) rights enable the citizens to influence the laws of our country or initiate a constitutional amendment and, in so doing, prevent the dissolution of the Republic in the ways that have affected other nations in the past (e.g. violent rebellion/uprising or coup d'etat)." Essay entry may be mailed or submitted electronically, but MUST include student's name, age and grad on every page of the essay. If mailing, two copies of the essay and entry form must be included.
STEM subject is: Get a pulse on what your peers know about the Constitution! Conduct a survey or focus group, create an online quiz or website, or design a smart-phone app containing information on the U.S. Constitution. Focus groups or surveys must poll twenty or more of your peers; online quizzes and websites must be completed/viewed by at least fifteen people and submission must include a report of results; smart phone apps must be downloaded and tested by fifteen people and submission must include a report of results. Please include two paragraphs as to how you would market your project . See Official Rules for details.
The song subject is: As citizens under a republican form of government, how do we use the First Amendment (RAPPS: Religion, Assembly, Press, Petition, Speech) to change the laws of our country or create a constitutional amendment and, in so doing, prevent the dissolution of the Republic in the ways that have affected other nations in the past (e.g. violent rebellion/uprising or coup d'etat).
To enter, students and/or parent/guardians are encouraged to fill out the online Contest Sign-up form, indicating their intent to enter the contest, including the line on the form giving parental consent. Contest updates and deadline reminders will be sent to the students signing up for the contest in advance.
The PSA subject is: (1) Please create a 30 OR 60 second commercial that represents how the first amendment rights (Religion, Assembly, Press, Petition, Speech) can be used as tools to effect change in the country and/or amend the Constitution, thus preventing the dissolution of the Republic in the ways that have affected other nations in the past (e.g. violent rebellion/uprising or coup d'etat). or (2) Why are civil civic conversations important in our society today?
Awards Available: 3
Award Deadline: September 17, 2021