Program Overview | Civics Matters Arizona

YOUR CIVICS MATTERS JOURNEY

Whether you’re a student, teacher, or community partner, this page will walk you through how the different parts of Civics Matters Arizona connect, where to start, and how to get involved throughout the year.

One Program. Three Connected Experiences.

Every part of Civics Matters Arizona is designed to build on the last. You can jump in at different points, but together these experiences help students learn, grow as leaders, and discover meaningful ways to make a difference.

Every element of the Civics Matters program fulfills at least one requirement students must complete to earn the Seal of Civics Literacy.

LEARNING HUB

Everything starts here.

The Learning Hub is designed for both students and teachers. Students can explore civic learning through interactive journeys, while teachers can create classrooms and track student progress all in one place.

Whether you’re using the Learning Hub as a standalone enrichment tool or integrating it into your classroom, it offers flexible ways to support civic learning.

Seal of Civics Literacy: Completion of a Learning Hub module counts as one instance of civics learning.

For Students

Complete interactive civic learning journeys
Explore real-world issues and current events
Learn at your own pace or with your class
Prepare for future Civics Matters opportunities

For Teachers

Create classrooms and invite students to join
Monitor student progress and completion
Access optional grading resources and discussion prompts to support classroom instruction

Completion of the required Civic Journeys is one of the requirements to participate in the annual Leadership Challenge, the competitive pathway to the all-expenses paid Civics Matters Washington, D.C. Trip. The Learning Hub ensures every student has a shared foundation before applying what they’ve learned through a creative project.

Civics Matters Summit

Bring learning to life.

Each January, thousands of students from across Arizona come together for a one-day experience featuring inspiring speakers, hands-on breakout sessions, community organizations, and opportunities to connect with civic leaders from across the state.

Students leave with new ideas, new connections, and a deeper understanding of how they can make an impact.

Seal of Civics Literacy: Summit attendance counts as 5.5 hours of civics engagement.

At the Summit you’ll:

Hear from inspiring leaders
Participate in interactive breakout sessions
Meet organizations making a difference across Arizona
Discover new ways to get involved

Leadership challenge & washington D.C.

Put your learning into action.

After completing the required Learning Hub experiences, students can participate in the annual Leadership Challenge by creating a project that demonstrates what they’ve learned. Students may choose the format that best fits their strengths, including essays, videos, podcasts, presentations, artwork, or other creative submissions.

Seal of Civics Literacy: Trip participation fully satisfies the Civics Learning and Civics Engagement Hours requirements.

The Teacher’s Role

Teachers play an important part in the Leadership Challenge by supporting students throughout the process. After students complete their projects, teachers review submissions and select the students they believe best represent their school. Those selected submissions are then reviewed as part of the statewide selection process for the Washington, D.C. experience.

The Student Journey

Complete the required Civic Journeys in the Learning Hub.
Create and submit a Leadership Challenge project.
Your teacher reviews submissions and selects their school’s representatives.
Selected projects advance to the statewide review process.
Finalists are chosen to participate in the Washington, D.C. educational experience.

Washington, D.C.

Students selected through the Leadership Challenge represent schools from across Arizona on an immersive educational experience in our nation’s capital. Throughout the trip, they explore historic sites, engage with leaders from across the political spectrum, and connect classroom learning to real-world civic life.

Where Should I Start?

I'm A Student

Create your Learning Hub account
Complete Civics Journeys
Attend the Summit
Participate in the Leadership Challenge

I'm a Teacher

Bring Civics Matters to your students through classroom resources, the Learning Hub, the statewide Summit, and opportunities like the Leadership Challenge and Washington, D.C. experience.

I'm a Community Partner

Help inspire Arizona’s next generation of civic leaders by sharing your expertise, creating opportunities for students, or partnering with us at the Summit and throughout the year.