CEDAR RAPIDS - Harding Middle School teacher Chad Bakkum asked his class of seventh graders, "Who was the youngest at age to take the oath of office?"

The inauguration quiz was timely for sure. These students were about to go from learning history to living it.

Bakkum says, "These kids are getting caught up in it now. I remember when the election started, my kids were going crazy. They were having a blast about who was going to win and wanted to watch it on TV."

Barack Obama was new name for their list of presidents. No. 44 took the stage and had this class glued to the screen. His inauguration was the first many of the 12- and 13-year-olds here ever cared to watch.

Jack Sills exclaimed, "He's finally going to be president, and he's the first African American president."

They'll still be too young to vote for him, if he runs the next time around. But this event might hit at a critical time in their lives, peaking their political interest now.

Madison Muller says, "Oh yeah. I can't wait. I think that's a really great responsibility, and I think it's important to decide who gets to lead our country."

Bakkum said he believes his students are already smarter and more interested in politics than his generation ever was at that age.

Jamarty Hall says, "Because I want to be a leader instead of a follower. You just can't follow everything somebody else tries."

Bakkum said he has no doubt that this president will pave the way for even more civic engagement from young people in the future.

Check out my blog, Living Off The Air, to find out the behind-the-scenes details on this story.