This week, there are many reasons to keep Constitution Day top of mind. When 39 delegates from12 states signed the new Constitution in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787, the relationship of people and government was changed forever. Nine months later, the Constitution took effect when New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify it. Also known as Citizenship Day and National Voter Registration Day, September 17 is when we honor not only the framers of the Constitution, but also the generations of U.S. citizens who upheld, and continue to uphold, its values.

The Constitution is more than words on paper. It’s a bond among citizens that spurs us to work together to form a more perfect union and keep our government in check. We exercise our authority through civic participation, especially around elections by voting. We choose who will represent us locally and nationally, and we have a responsibility to make thoughtful, informed decisions.

In this spirit, I encourage readers to participate in a brief 15-question Ecology-Civics survey that prompts reflection about fundamental democratic concepts. This simple “yes/no” survey touches on relevant topics such as elections, the qualities we seek in our leaders, the authority of citizens, and more. It’s completely anonymous, and it took my high school friends and me five minutes to complete. We enjoyed the mix of questions, and it was fun to see how others had responded when we submitted our answers.

This survey was designed by CivicStory, a New Jersey-based nonprofit news organization focused on advancing ecology and civics. The aim is to enable people to engage in essential, often profound ideas in a short time frame. The response data will be publicly shared on CivicStory.org shortly after the survey closes on Friday, September 20, 10 p.m ET. Even though New Jersey’s state legislature unanimously passed a law in 2021 requiring civics education in middle school, not all of us have had civics! This is a quick way to brush up during Constitution Week. (But be careful, not all statements are as straight-forward as they seem!)

I especially encourage young voters and soon-to-be voters, particularly members of Generation Z, to take part in this survey. Though I’m 16 and can’t vote on November 5, 18-year-olds are vital in shaping the future of our nation. By participating, you can test your knowledge of the U.S. Constitution, think critically about our democracy—and the limited role of parties—and make sure your voice is heard. After completing the survey, please share it with others who might be interested. Your input can make a difference.

Don’t forget that a vital part of civic awareness is preventing bias and depending on facts. The delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention envisioned a “union” where the power of the people was secured against tyranny. But the signing and ratification of the Constitution didn’t guarantee us this victory: it was then, and still is, the duty of each one of us to protect this new form of participatory democracy. Let’s encourage each other to do our part—to learn, be informed, and get ready to vote.

Aaryan Jain is a junior at Millburn, NJ, High School, a member of Millburn Climate Action, Student Chapter, an Eco Ambassador with Columbia University’s Center for Sustainable Development, and a CivicStory Intern. He lives in Millburn, NJ.

An Ecology-Civics Survey for Constitution Week: Civic Education and Participation