Middle-schoolers who reside in Chester County are invited to take part in a Civics Bee that is being offered through the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry (CCCBI).

CCCBI is partnering with the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry and Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) to host the competition, which is designed to test students' knowledge about civics that is "the study of the rights and obligations of citizens in society." Students will be recognized and awarded cash prizes.

"This is our first year being involved with (the Civics Bee)," noted Marguerite DeGrassa, CCCBI director of marketing and communications, adding that the regional Civics Bee is part of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation's National Civics Bee competition.

In the first round of the contest, local sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students will be asked to submit an essay. In the essay, students must identify a problem, challenge or opportunity in local communities and explain what can be done to improve it based on civic virtues and founding principles. Civic virtues include moderation, respect and integrity, and the founding principles - core ideas of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution - include concepts such as inalienable rights.

In the 500-word essay, students may write about issues in their own neighborhoods, answering questions such as "Is there something in your community that you would like to change?" or "What service is currently missing from your community?"

The deadline for essay submissions is Friday, Feb. 24. Entries may be submitted by mailing a hard copy, post-marked by Feb. 24, to Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry, 1600 Paoli Pike, Malvern, PA 19355. A link to email the essays is available at http://www.facebook.com/chescochamber in a post dated Jan. 6.

Judges will select 20 finalists to participate in CCCBI's local competition at the CCIU, 455 Boot Road, Downingtown, on Saturday, April 15, beginning at 10 a.m.

Similar to a spelling bee, the Civics Bee will feature contestants answering questions one at a time. "It will be a live quiz event," noted DeGrassa. The Civics Bee will feature special guest judges, including state Rep. John Lawrence; Michael Hartman, chief of staff for state Sen. Carolyn Comitta; and Chester County Commissioners Michelle Kichline and Josh Maxwell. "More 'celebrity' judges are being added daily," DeGrassa said.

Sample Civics Bee questions include "Which branch of government can declare war?" (legislative branch); How many justices are on the Supreme Court?" (nine); and "What year did women get the right to vote?" (1920).

After regional Civics Bees at five other locations in Pennsylvania, the top three students from each local competition will advance to the state competition in June.

For complete details about the Civics Bee, including the specific essay requirements, important dates and cash prize information, visit the previously mentioned Facebook page or visit http://www.chescochamber.org and choose "Events" and then "Civics Bee."