Take the Montana Challenge

In honor of the semiquincentennial (250th anniversary of the founding of the United States), Sons and Daughters of Montana Pioneers approached the Montana 250th Commission with the idea of creating a test, modeled on the US citizenship test, focusing on students' knowledge of Montana history, geography, and government. Thus, the Montana Challenge was born.

Any student grades 6-12 can take the Montana Challenge. They do not need to be working towards a Seal of Civic Literacy (more on that below.) Those who pass with 80% or higher will receive a certificate and will be entered into a drawing for a $25 Visa gift card. Thanks to the Sons and Daughters' generosity, we have THREE HUNDRED of these gift cards to distribute to students. Prizes will be awarded in May 2026 and December 2026. 

A study guide for the Montana Challenge can be found here, and Eureka teacher Jennifer Hall created two Kahoots to help students prepare for the test: Montana Challenge Part 1 and Montana Challenge Part 2.

The Montana Office of Public Instruction created the twenty-question test, which draws from a bank of a hundred questions. OPI did this so they could include the test in their Seal of Civic Literacy program. 

Here is the link to register for the Montana Challenge. A teacher can register their entire class or a student can register themself. Because OPI created this form as just one part of their Seal of Civic Literacy program, registration instructions may be confusing. Don't despair! Just scroll to the bottom of the page and click the big red Begin Form button.   

I hope you'll check out the Montana Challenge study guide and Kahoots to get a sense of the quiz and then register your students to take the test. Thanks to the Sons and Daughters of Montana Pioneers, the Montana 250th Commission, and OPI for making this project possible, and to Jennifer for creating the Kahoots!