Nevada Center for Civic Engagement
Our Programs
College-ready. Career-ready. Community-ready.
From a kindergarten classroom voting in the Student Mock Election to a high school team testifying before a panel of judges, NVCCE gives Nevada students real ways to practice citizenship, and gives their teachers the training and support to make it happen. Every program is built on Nevada's social studies standards and serves schools in all 17 counties.
For students
Programs where students do civics, not just study it
Each of these programs ends with students showing what they know in front of a real audience: judges, community leaders, or the whole state.
We the People: The Citizen & the Constitution
Students study the history and principles of the U.S. Constitution, then defend their positions before panels of judges, attorneys, and scholars in simulated congressional hearings. NVCCE is the Nevada state coordinator.
- Levels 1, 2, and 3 for elementary, middle, and high school classrooms
- Regional Invitationals in Northern and Southern Nevada, then the State Invitational at UNLV
- Nevada's top teams advance to the National Finals near Washington, D.C.
National History Day in Nevada
Students choose a research question tied to the annual theme, dig into primary sources, and present as a paper, documentary, exhibit, performance, or website.
- School contests and showcases lead to Regional Contests in Southern and Northern Nevada
- Regional winners advance to the State Contest
- First and second place at State advance to the National Contest
Project Community
Built on the Center for Civic Education's Project Citizen, Project Community has a class identify a real problem in its school or community, research it, and propose a public policy solution to the people who can act on it.
- Classroom and school hearings, with students presenting to local officials
- A Nevada Project Community showcase planned for spring 2027
- Nevada projects submitted to the national showcase
KidsVention & the Student Mock Election
Every October, classrooms across Nevada tune in to KidsVention: live debates where legislators and high school students argue real questions, and students vote on each one. The same questions appear on the Nevada Student Mock Election ballot.
- Created by Senator Joyce Woodhouse; 2026 marked its 30th year
- Run with the Nevada Secretary of State and the Nevada Department of Education
- Free ballots, classroom resources, and "I Voted" stickers
Nevada Civics Bee
Part of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation's National Civics Bee. Students compete on civics knowledge at regional Bees, with the top finishers moving on to a Nevada State Final.
- Regional Bees in Northern and Southern Nevada
- Nevada State Final in Las Vegas
- Presented with the Reno + Sparks Chamber and the Vegas Chamber
Advocate for Civics
Opportunities for students to speak up for civic education itself, sharing what these programs mean to them with the people who make decisions about Nevada's schools.
Learn how to get involved →For teachers
Reach one teacher, reach every student they will ever have
NVCCE's professional learning helps Nevada teachers bring these programs into their classrooms with confidence, whether they teach a K-6 literacy block or a high school government course.
Our work is aligned to the Nevada social studies disciplinary skills and content standards and the ELA literacy standards for social studies, so it fits the teaching you already do.
- Educator Summer Institutes: multi-day residential institutes for We the People, National History Day, Project Community, and an Advanced Civics Institute, built with UNR's Center for Constitutional Law. Constitutional scholars, primary-source work, and a stipend.
- Professional learning communities: year-long support for teachers running a program for the first time.
- Teacher toolkits: ready-to-use guides for National History Day, We the People, and Project Community, with family guides to share at home.
- Workshops: one-day trainings throughout the school year.
A pathway, not a one-time training
Recognition
Celebrating civic excellence across Nevada
Through the Silver State Coalition for Civic Education, which NVCCE co-leads, Nevada recognizes the students, educators, and schools going well beyond the civics requirement.
Nevada Seal of Civics
A diploma credential for students who complete advanced civic learning, including a service learning project.
Learn about the Seal →Civic Leader Awards
A $2,500 scholarship for high school seniors and a $1,776 classroom grant for elementary, middle, and high school educators.
Meet the honorees →School of Civic Excellence
A designation for schools that have built civic learning into how they operate, not just what they teach. Nevada named its first in 2026.
See how to apply →Civic days and service
Moments that bring the whole state together
Constitution Day
Events and classroom resources marking the signing of the Constitution.
Constitution Day →Youth Service & Community Engagement
Service learning that asks students to investigate a need, act on it, and reflect: civic action, not volunteer hours.
Youth service →2026-27 at a glance
The season ahead
Get involved
There is a place in this for you
Teachers
Bring a program to your classroom. Tell us what you teach and we will help you find the right fit.
Email engage@nvcce.orgVolunteers
Judge a hearing or a contest, mentor a team, or help on event day. Judges are always in demand.
Volunteer with usSupporters
Help us arrive at 40 years of We the People and National History Day in Nevada ready.
Join 40 for 40nvcce.org · engage@nvcce.org
A registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization · EIN 81-3948081