The United States government spreads power across three branches of government: the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Why three branches? What does each branch do that the others cannot? And how do they work together? 

Today’s Civics Short, designed for middle schoolers but fun for all, takes a closer look at the who, what, where, and whys of the Census.

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Civics Shorts: The Three Branches

How do landmark Supreme Court decisions affect our lives? What does the 2nd Amendment really say? Why does the Senate have so much power? Civics 101 is the podcast about how our democracy works…or is supposed to work, anyway.

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Places & Travel

Government

Your local government is the one you have to pay really close attention to. Especially when part of their job is to keep residents safe.

A city government, a looming disaster, and a complicated choice

Hannah tells Nick what it's like to have real access to the Supreme Court. And then the pair pays a very emotional visit to the Lincoln Memorial.

"I see a temple that we built."

The Civics 101 team's D.C. field trip takes them all kinds of places, including inside the highest court in the land during oral arguments. Listen in as they share those experiences.

Why are we printing so much paper money? (D.C. field trip dispatch)

The team is in Washington D.C. making episodes...and we're learning some wild stuff.

The Constitution is not vegan! (D.C. field trip dispatch)

There's a landmark SCOTUS decision from two centuries ago that could end up influencing Donald Trump's current Supreme Court case. But why?

Civics Shorts: The Three Branches

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