We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution

We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution is a national civics education and competition program run by the Center for Civic Education. High school classes or teams study the U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights, and American democratic institutions, then demonstrate their knowledge in simulated congressional hearings. Students prepare written statements and answer follow‑up questions from panels of judges, typically including legal professionals, educators, and civic leaders. Most participants are enrolled through their schools, which compete at local and state levels, with top teams advancing to the National Finals in the Washington, D.C. area. The program is geared toward U.S. high school students and emphasizes constitutional literacy, critical thinking, public speaking, and teamwork. Participation helps students build strong research and argumentation skills, gain confidence in formal presentations, and deepen their understanding of civic responsibility and public policy.