Citizen Nation

At a thrilling championship showdown in the heart of Washington, D.C., civics competition finalists are jittery and dressed in their best as they prepare for the judges’ final challenges. A winner is crowned.

Stakes are high as teams prepare for statewide civics competitions; only the winners will advance to the final round in Washington, D.C. Students must balance personal challenges and tricky team dynamics, pushing themselves to the limit.

The pressure builds as students tackle the first round of competition. They must answer judges’ questions in the style of Congressional hearings, showing a thorough understanding of democracy and the ways it connects to their lives today.

This four-part documentary series is an inspiring coming-of-age story that follows teenagers from across America as they face off in the nation's premier civics competition. Culminating in a championship showdown in the nation’s capital, high school students with diverse personal and political backgrounds grapple with critical questions about democracy.

At Southwest C.T.A., a diverse school in Las Vegas where many students are first-generation immigrants, the American dream comes into sharp focus. Students preparing for a national civics competition articulate both the hardships and opportunities their families face.

This four-part documentary series is an inspiring coming-of-age story that follows teenagers from across America as they face off in the nation's premier civics competition. Culminating in a championship showdown in the nation’s capital, high school students with diverse personal and political backgrounds grapple with critical questions about democracy.

In a Cheyenne, Wyo., high school, a determined teacher takes on the challenge of helping students prepare for a national civics competition. They face big obstacles, including learning gaps and personal challenges, but Erin Lindt, the teacher, is confident that with the right support, they will find their strength and rise to the occasion.