These days it is hard not to notice that there is an election going on. Whether glancing at a newspaper, flipping on the TV, or just walking down the street, we see ads and information nearly everywhere. In 2012, my research team's study involving hundreds of adolescents found that the mass media's increased attention to politics can contribute to a substantial spike in political interest during the weeks before and after Election Day. How can teachers leverage that interest into meaningful social studies learning? This article integrates findings from classroom-based research and key principles from the C3 Framework to illustrate how educators can foster students' civic learning and engagement through rigorous inquiry-based activities.