The 1787 Prize
National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) is pleased to announce The 1787 Prize, an annual essay contest for high school students in grades 11-12 introduced on the observance of the 2022 Constitution Day.
About the 1787 Prize
“The consent of the governed” is a foundational principle upon which our nation’s government is built. Indeed, the “just powers” of our 1787 Constitution were directly legitimized by ratification of the people in pathbreaking citizen conventions. Today, the freedoms we hold dear are embodied in rules and laws we democratically have a voice in crafting.
The 1787 Prize brings those citizen voices back to center stage. It recognizes the best annual student essay on the subject of the U.S. Constitution’s past, present and future relevance by exploring how our written principles align with this vision of citizen engagement.
Eligibility
The 1787 Prize is open to all high school students in grades 11-12. An essay may be submitted with up to three (3) student co-authors. There is a maximum of one (1) submission per high school.
Essay requirements are:
Between 1,000 - 2,500 words
Includes a footnote and bibliography
Incorporates a mix of primary and secondary sources
Award
For the inaugural prize year, two (2) awards will be announced in the amount of $2,500 each. The $2,500 prize amount will be split among any co-authors.
Timeline
September 17, 2022: The 1787 Prize launch is announced.
March 31, 2023: Essays are due to NCSS by 11:59 PM Hawaii Standard Time.
April-May 2023: The 1787 Prize Selection Committee reviews all essays.
June 1, 2023: The 1787 Prize winner is announced.
2022-2023 Essay Topic
The Founding Fathers underestimated the dominant role that political parties and groups would play in governance, and this oversight has repercussions. For example, Congress is allowed to oversee the trial of the impeachment process, which means that the President would be judged by loyal members of the same party. If the Founding Fathers had anticipated such power, they might never have put Congress in charge.
Imagine it is 1787. Consider the many negotiations and compromises that occurred during the Constitutional Convention. What changes to the original Constitution would you recommend in order to decrease the power of political parties and groups? Or, should the power of these parties and groups be strengthened? How would this modified Constitution impact present-day political power and processes?
Questions?
Please email awards@ncss.org for any questions about this award, eligibility, timeline, and selection process.
National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) is pleased to announce The 1787 Prize, an annual essay contest for high school students in grades 11-12 introduced on the observance of the 2022 Constitution Day.
About the 1787 Prize
“The consent of the governed” is a foundational principle upon which our nation’s government is built. Indeed, the “just powers” of our 1787 Constitution were directly legitimized by ratification of the people in pathbreaking citizen conventions. Today, the freedoms we hold dear are embodied in rules and laws we democratically have a voice in crafting.
The 1787 Prize brings those citizen voices back to center stage. It recognizes the best annual student essay on the subject of the U.S. Constitution’s past, present and future relevance by exploring how our written principles align with this vision of citizen engagement.
Eligibility
The 1787 Prize is open to all high school students in grades 11-12. An essay may be submitted with up to three (3) student co-authors. There is a maximum of one (1) submission per high school.
Essay requirements are:
Between 1,000 - 2,500 words
Includes a footnote and bibliography
Incorporates a mix of primary and secondary sources
Award
For the inaugural prize year, two (2) awards will be announced in the amount of $2,500 each. The $2,500 prize amount will be split among any co-authors.
Timeline
September 17, 2022: The 1787 Prize launch is announced.
March 31, 2023: Essays are due to NCSS by 11:59 PM Hawaii Standard Time.
April-May 2023: The 1787 Prize Selection Committee reviews all essays.
June 1, 2023: The 1787 Prize winner is announced.
2022-2023 Essay Topic
The Founding Fathers underestimated the dominant role that political parties and groups would play in governance, and this oversight has repercussions. For example, Congress is allowed to oversee the trial of the impeachment process, which means that the President would be judged by loyal members of the same party. If the Founding Fathers had anticipated such power, they might never have put Congress in charge.
Imagine it is 1787. Consider the many negotiations and compromises that occurred during the Constitutional Convention. What changes to the original Constitution would you recommend in order to decrease the power of political parties and groups? Or, should the power of these parties and groups be strengthened? How would this modified Constitution impact present-day political power and processes?
Questions?
Please email awards@ncss.org for any questions about this award, eligibility, timeline, and selection process.
Introduction
Competition supporters: Esri, Geographic Educators of Nebraska (GEON), Nebraska GIS/LIS, and Nebraska Dept. of Education
The Nebraska Story Map Competition, encourages students to use a powerful mapping application called geographic information systems (*GIS) to research and analyze some aspect of Nebraska. Students will showcase their results in a story map. The competition is open to students in high school grades 9-12 or middle school grades 4-8. To compete, students must be under the age of 19 and have not earned a diploma or GED. Each school can form as many teams as they like. A team can consist of one or two students. Teams with 1 middle and 1 high school student will compete at the high school level. Each school will select only five teams to enter the Nebraska Story Map Competition. Entries must use the "new" StoryMap template . *ArcGIS Online is the name of the GIS application students will use. The best 5 high school and 5 best middle school student story map projects in Nebraska will be awarded $100 each. Student teams divide the cash prize in half.
Guidelines/Due Dates
Competition supporters: Esri, Geographic Educators of Nebraska (GEON), Nebraska GIS/LIS, and Nebraska Dept. of Education
The Nebraska Story Map Competition, encourages students to use a powerful mapping application called geographic information systems (*GIS) to research and analyze some aspect of Nebraska. Students will showcase their results in a story map. The competition is open to students in high school grades 9-12 or middle school grades 4-8. To compete, students must be under the age of 19 and have not earned a diploma or GED. Each school can form as many teams as they like. A team can consist of one or two students. Teams with 1 middle and 1 high school student will compete at the high school level. Each school will select only five teams to enter the Nebraska Story Map Competition. Entries must use the "new" StoryMap template . *ArcGIS Online is the name of the GIS application students will use. The best 5 high school and 5 best middle school student story map projects in Nebraska will be awarded $100 each. Student teams divide the cash prize in half.
Guidelines/Due Dates
- *To obtain GIS software go here: ArcGIS for Schools Bundle .
- Click Registration to register your school by February 10, 2023
- Conduct the competition. To request assistance, click Help to find a GeoMentor
- Teachers have the option to their student maps to lerawli1@wsc.edu for preliminary feedback between February 10-April 14, 2023 to strengthen the entry. No scoring will be done.
- Final Nebraska Story Map submissions are due by April 26, 2023
- A Permission and Release form is due by May 10, 2023 for students placing first. This releases the name of the HS/MS student placing 1st.
- 1st place awardees at the high school and middle school levels will also submit a 3-minute on or before May 10, 2023 video describing their experience in this competition. This video will be shared at GIS/Geography Conferences and with Esri's national competition.
